george macdonald - stories

8/20/2019 George Macdonald - Stories

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George MacDonald

The Imagination: Its Functions And Its Culture

[Footnote: 1867.

There are in !hose notion education !ould seem to consist in the "roduction o# a certain re"osethrough the de$elo"ment o# this and that #acult%& and the de"ression& i# not eradication& o# thisand that other #acult%. 'ut i# mere re"ose !ere the end in $ie!& an uns"aring de"ression o# all the#aculties !ould (e the surest means o# a""roaching it& "ro$ided al!a%s the animal instincts could (e de"ressed li)e!ise& or& (etter still& )e"t in a state o# constant re"letion. *a""il%& ho!e$er& #orthe human race& it "ossesses in the "assion o# hunger e$en& a more immediate sa$iour than in the!isest selection and treatment o# its #aculties. For re"ose is not the end o# education+ its end is ano(le unrest& an e$er rene!ed a!a)ing #rom the dead& a ceaseless ,uestioning o# the "ast #or the

inter"retation o# the #uture& an urging on o# the motions o# li#e& !hich had (etter #ar (eaccelerated into #e$er& than retarded into letharg%.

'% those !ho consider a (alanced re"ose the end o# culture& the imagination must necessaril% (eregarded as the one #acult% (e#ore all others to (e su""ressed. -Are there not #acts- sa% the%.-/h% #orsa)e them #or #ancies Is there not that !hich& ma% (e 0)no!n0 /h% #orsa)e it #orin$entions /hat God hath made& into that let man in,uire.-

/e ans!er: To in,uire into !hat God has made is the main #unction o# the imagination. It isaroused (% #acts& is nourished (% #acts+ see)s #or higher and %et higher la!s in those #acts+ (utre#uses to regard science as the sole inter"reter o# nature& or the la!s o# science as the onl%

region o# disco$er%./e must (egin !ith a de#inition o# the !ord 0imagination0& or rather some descri"tion o# the#acult% to !hich !e gi$e the name.

The !ord itsel# means an 0imaging0 or a ma)ing o# li)enesses. The imagination is that #acult%!hich gi$es #orm to thoughtnot necessaril% uttered #orm& (ut #orm ca"a(le o# (eing uttered insha"e or in sound& or in an% mode u"on !hich the senses can la% hold. It is& there#ore& that#acult% in man !hich is li)est to the "rime o"eration o# the "o!er o# God& and has& there#ore& (een called the 0creati$e0 #acult%& and its e2ercise 0creation0. 03oet0 means 0ma)er0. /e mustnot #orget& ho!e$er& that (et!een creator and "oet lies the one un"assa(le gul# !hichdistinguishes#ar (e it #rom us to sa% 0di$ides0all that is God4s #rom all that is man4s+ a gul#teeming !ith in#inite re$elations& (ut a gul# o$er !hich no man can "ass to #ind out God&although God needs not to "ass o$er it to #ind man+ the gul# (et!een that !hich calls& and that!hich is thus called into (eing+ (et!een that !hich ma)es in its o!n image and that !hich ismade in that image. It is (etter to )ee" the !ord 0creation0 #or that calling out o# nothing !hichis the imagination o# God+ e2ce"t it (e as an occasional s%m(olic e2"ression& !hose daring is#ull% recogni5ed& o# the li)eness o# man4s !or) to the !or) o# his ma)er. The necessar%unli)eness (et!een the creator and the created holds !ithin it the e,uall% necessar% li)eness o#



the thing made to him !ho ma)es it& and so o# the !or) o# the made to the !or) o# the ma)er./hen there#ore& re#using to em"lo% the !ord 0creation0 o# the !or) o# man& !e %et use the !ord 0imagination0 o# the !or) o# God& !e cannot (e said to dare at all. It is onl% to gi$e the name o#man4s #acult% to that "o!er a#ter !hich and (% !hich it !as #ashioned. The imagination o# manis made in the image o# the imagination o# God. $er%thing o# man must ha$e (een o# God #irst+

and it !ill hel" much to!ards our understanding o# the imagination and its #unctions in man i#!e #irst succeed in regarding aright the imagination o# God& in !hich the imagination o# manli$es and mo$es and has its (eing.

As to 0!hat0 thought is in the mind o# God ere it ta)es #orm& or !hat the #orm is to him ere heutters it+ in a !ord& !hat the consciousness o# God is in either case& all !e can sa% is& that ourconsciousness in the resem(ling conditions must& a#ar o##& resem(le his. 'ut !hen !e come toconsider the acts em(od%ing the Di$ine thought i# indeed thought and act (e not !ith him oneand the same& then !e enter a region o# large di##erence. /e disco$er at once& #or instance& that!here a man !ould ma)e a machine& or a "icture& or a (oo)& God ma)es the man that ma)es the (oo)& or the "icture& or the machine. /ould God gi$e us a drama *e ma)es a 9ha)es"ere. r

!ould he construct a drama more immediatel% his o!n *e (egins !ith the (uilding o# the stageitsel#& and that stage is a !orlda uni$erse o# !orlds. *e ma)es the actors& and the% do not act&the% 0are0 their "art. *e utters them into the $isi(le to !or) out their li#ehis drama. /hen he!ould ha$e an e"ic& he sends a thin)ing hero into his drama& and the e"ic is the solilo,u% o# his*amlet. Instead o# !riting his l%rics& he sets his (irds and his maidens asinging. All the "rocesses o# the ages are God4s science+ all the #lo! o# histor% is his "oetr%. *is scul"ture is notin mar(le& (ut in li$ing and s"eechgi$ing #orms& !hich "ass a!a%& not to %ield "lace to thosethat come a#ter& (ut to (e "er#ected in a no(ler studio. /hat he has done remains& although it$anishes+ and he ne$er either #orgets !hat he has once done& or does it e$en once again. As thethoughts mo$e in the mind o# a man& so mo$e the !orlds o# men and !omen in the mind o# God&and ma)e no con#usion there& #or there the% had their (irth& the o##s"ring o# his imagination. Manis (ut a thought o# God.

I# !e no! consider the socalled creati$e #acult% in man& !e shall #ind that in no 0"rimar%0 senseis this #acult% creati$e. Indeed& a man is rather 0(eing thought0 than 0thin)ing0& !hen a ne!thought arises in his mind. *e )ne! it not till he #ound it there& there#ore he could not e$en ha$esent #or it. *e did not create it& else ho! could it (e the sur"rise that it !as !hen it arose *ema%& indeed& in rare instances #oresee that something is coming& and ma)e read% the "lace #or its (irth+ (ut that is the utmost relation o# consciousness and !ill he can (ear to the da!ning idea.;ea$ing this aside& ho!e$er& and turning to the 0em(odiment0 or re$elation o# thought& !e shall#ind that a man no more 0creates0 the #orms (% !hich he !ould re$eal his thoughts& than hecreates those thoughts themsel$es.

For !hat are the #orms (% means o# !hich a man ma% re$eal his thoughts Are the% not those o#nature 'ut although he is created in the closest s%m"ath% !ith these #orms& %et e$en these #ormsare not (orn in his mind. /hat s"rings there is the "erce"tion that this or that #orm is alread% ane2"ression o# this or that "hase o# thought or o# #eeling. For the !orld around him is an out!ard#iguration o# the condition o# his mind+ an ine2hausti(le storehouse o# #orms !hence he ma%choose e2"onentsthe cr%stal "itchers that shall "rotect his thought and not need to (e (ro)enthat the light ma% (rea) #orth. The meanings are in those #orms alread%& else the% could (e no



garment o# un$eiling. God has made the !orld that it should thus ser$e his creature& de$elo"ingin the ser$ice that imagination !hose necessit% it meets. The man has (ut to light the lam" !ithinthe #orm: his imagination is the light& it is not the #orm. 9traight!a% the shining thought ma)esthe #orm $isi(le& and (ecomes itsel# $isi(le through the #orm. [Footnote: /e !ould not (eunderstood to sa% that the man !or)s consciousl% e$en in this. #tentimes& i# not al!a%s& the

$ision arises in the mind& thought and #orm together.

In illustration o# !hat !e mean& ta)e a "assage #rom the "oet 9helle%.

In his "oem 0Adonais0& !ritten u"on the death o# <eats& re"resenting death as the re$ealer o#secrets& he sa%s:

-The one remains+ the man% change and "ass+ *ea$en4s light #or e$er shines+ earth4s shado!s #l%+ ;i#e& li)e a dome o# man% coloured glass&

9tains the !hite radiance o# eternit%& =ntil death tram"les it to #ragments.-

This is a ne! em(odiment& certainl%& !hence he !ho gains not& #or the moment at least& a lo#tier#eeling o# death& must (e dull either o# heart or o# understanding. 'ut has 9helle% created this#igure& or onl% "ut together its "arts according to the harmon% o# truths alread% em(odied in eacho# the "arts For #irst he ta)es the in$entions o# his #ello!men& in glass& in colour& in dome: !iththese he re"resents li#e as #inite though ele$ated& and as an anal%sis although a lo$el% one. >e2the "resents eternit% as the dome o# the s)% a(o$e this dome o# coloured glassthe s)% ha$inge$er (een regarded as the true s%m(ol o# eternit%. This "ortion o# the #igure he enriches (% theattri(ution o# !hiteness& or unit% and radiance. And last& he sho!s us Death as the destro%ingre$ealer& !al)ing alo#t through& the u""er region& treading out this li#e(u((le o# colours& that theman ma% loo) (e%ond it and (ehold the true& the uncoloured& the allcoloured.

'ut although the human imagination has no choice (ut to ma)e use o# the #orms alread% "re"ared#or it& its o"eration is the same as that o# the di$ine inasmuch as it does "ut thought into #orm.And i# it (e to man !hat creation is to God& !e must e2"ect to #ind it o"erati$e in e$er% s"here o# human acti$it%. 9uch is& indeed& the #act& and that to a #ar greater e2tent than is commonl%su""osed.

The so$ereignt% o# the imagination& #or instance& o$er the region o# "oetr% !ill hardl%& in the "resent da% at least& (e ,uestioned+ (ut not e$er% one is "re"ared to (e told that the imaginationhas had nearl% as much to do !ith the ma)ing o# our language as !ith -Mac(eth- or the-3aradise ;ost.- The hal# o# our language is the !or) o# the imagination.

For ho! shall t!o agree together !hat name the% shall gi$e to a thought or a #eeling. *o! shallthe one sho! the other that !hich is in$isi(le True& he can un$eil the mind4s construction in the#acethat li$ing eternall% change#ul s%m(ol !hich God has hung in #ront o# the unseen s"irit (ut that !ithout !ords reaches onl% to the e2"ression o# "resent #eeling. To attem"t to em"lo% it



alone #or the con$e%ance o# the intellectual or the historical !ould constantl% mislead+ !hile thee2"ression o# #eeling itsel# !ould (e misinter"reted& es"eciall% !ith regard to cause and o(?ect:the dum( sho! !ould (e !orse than dum(.

'ut let a man (ecome a!are o# some ne! mo$ement !ithin him. ;oneliness comes !ith it& #or

he !ould share his mind !ith his #riend& and he cannot+ he is shut u" in s"eechlessness. Thus

*e 0ma%0 li$e a man #or(id /ear% se$en nights nine times nine&

or the #irst moment o# his "er"le2it% ma% (e that o# his release. Ga5ing a(out him in "ain& hesuddenl% (eholds the material #orm o# his immaterial condition. There stands his thought@ Godthought it (e#ore him& and "ut its "icture there read% #or him !hen he !anted it. r& to e2"ressthe thing more "rosaicall%& the man cannot loo) around him long !ithout "ercei$ing some #orm&

as"ect& or mo$ement o# nature& some relation (et!een its #orms& or (et!een such and himsel#!hich resem(les the state or motion !ithin him. This he sei5es as the s%m(ol& as the garment or (od% o# his in$isi(le thought& "resents it to his #riend& and his #riend understands him. $er%!ord so em"lo%ed !ith a ne! meaning is hence#orth& in its ne! character& (orn o# the s"irit andnot o# the #lesh& (orn o# the imagination and not o# the understanding& and is hence#orthsu(mitted to ne! la!s o# gro!th and modi#ication.

-Thin)est thou&- sa%s Carl%le in -3ast and 3resent&- -there !ere no "oets till Dan Chaucer >oheart (urning !ith a thought !hich it could not hold& and had no !ord #or+ and needed to sha"eand coin a !ord #or!hat thou callest a meta"hor& tro"e& or the li)e For e$er% !ord !e ha$ethere !as such a man and "oet. The coldest !ord !as once a glo!ing ne! meta"hor and (old,uestiona(le originalit%. Th% $er% ATT>TI>& does it not mean an 0attentio0& a9TTC*I>GT Fanc% that act o# the mind& !hich all !ere conscious o#& !hich none had %etnamed&!hen this ne! "oet #irst #elt (ound and dri$en to name it. *is ,uestiona(le originalit%and ne! glo!ing meta"hor !as #ound ado"ta(le& intelligi(le& and remains our name #or it to thisda%.-

All !ords& then& (elonging to the inner !orld o# the mind& are o# the imagination& are originall% "oetic !ords. The (etter& ho!e$er& an% such !ord is #itted #or the needs o# humanit%& the soonerit loses its "oetic as"ect (% commonness o# use. It ceases to (e heard as a s%m(ol& and a""earsonl% as a sign. Thus thousands o# !ords !hich !ere originall% "oetic !ords o!ing theire2istence to the imagination& lose their $italit%& and harden into mummies o# "rose. >ot merel% inliterature does "oetr% come #irst& and "rose a#ter!ards& (ut "oetr% is the source o# all thelanguage that (elongs to the inner !orld& !hether it (e o# "assion or o# meta"h%sics& o# "s%cholog% or o# as"iration. >o "oetr% comes (% the ele$ation o# "rose+ (ut the hal# o# "rosecomes (% the -massing into the common cla%- o# thousands o# !inged !ords& !hence& li)e thelo$el% shells o# (%gone ages& one is occasionall% disinterred (% some lo$er o# s"eech& and heldu" to the light to sho! the "la% o# colour in its mani#old laminations.



For the !orld isallo! us the homel% #igurethe human (eing turned inside out. All that mo$esin the mind is s%m(oli5ed in >ature. r& to use another more "hiloso"hical& and certainl% not less "oetic #igure& the !orld is a sensuous anal%sis o# humanit%& and hence an ine2hausti(le !ardro(e#or the clothing o# human thought. Ta)e an% !ord e2"ressi$e o# emotionta)e the !ord 0emotion0 itsel#and %ou !ill #ind that its "rimar% meaning is o# the outer !orld. In the s!a%ing

o# the !oods& in the unrest o# the -!a$% "lain&- the imagination sa! the "icture o# a !ell)no!ncondition o# the human mind+ and hence the !ord 0emotion0. [Footnote: This "assage containsonl% a re"etition o# !hat is #ar (etter said in the "receding e2tract #rom Carl%le& (ut it !as!ritten (e#ore !e had read i# re$ie!ers ma% (e allo!ed to con#ess such ignorance the (oo)#rom !hich that e2tract is ta)en.

'ut !hile the imagination o# man has thus the di$ine #unction o# "utting thought into #orm& it hasa dut% altogether human& !hich is "aramount to that #unctionthe dut%& namel%& !hich s"rings#rom his immediate relation to the Father& that o# #ollo!ing and #inding out the di$ineimagination in !hose image it !as made. To do this& the man must !atch its signs& itsmani#estations. *e must contem"late !hat the *e(re! "oets call the !or)s o# *is hands.

-'ut to #ollo! those is the "ro$ince o# the intellect& not o# the imagination.-/e !ill lea$e outo# the ,uestion at "resent that "oetic inter"retation o# the !or)s o# >ature !ith !hich theintellect has almost nothing& and the imagination almost e$er%thing& to do. It is unnecessar% toinsist that the higher (eing o# a #lo!er e$en is de"endent #or its rece"tion u"on the humanimagination+ that science ma% "ull the sno!dro" to shreds& (ut cannot #ind out the idea o#su##ering ho"e and "ale con#ident su(mission& #or the sa)e o# !hich that darling o# the s"ringloo)s out o# hea$en& namel%& God4s heart& u"on us his !iser and more sin#ul children+ #or i# there (e an% truth in this region o# things ac)no!ledged at all& it !ill (e at the same timeac)no!ledged that that region (elongs to the imagination. /e con#ine oursel$es to that,uestioning o# the !or)s o# God !hich is called the "ro$ince o# science.

-9hall& then& the human intellect&- !e as)& -come into readier contact !ith the di$ine imaginationthan that human imagination- The !or) o# the *igher must he disco$ered (% the search o# the;o!er in degree !hich is %et similar in )ind. ;et us not (e su""osed to e2clude the intellect #roma share in e$er% highest o##ice. Man is not di$ided !hen the mani#estations o# his li#e aredistinguished. The intellect -is all in e$er% "art.- There !ere no imagination !ithout intellect&ho!e$er much it ma% a""ear that intellect can e2ist !ithout imagination. /hat !e mean to insistu"on is& that in #inding out the !or)s o# God& the Intellect must la(our& !or)manli)e& under thedirection o# the architect& Imagination. *erein& too& !e "roceed in the ho"e to sho! ho! muchmore than is commonl% su""osed the imagination has to do !ith human endea$our+ ho! large ashare it has in the !or) that is done under the sun.

-'ut ho! can the imagination ha$e an%thing to do !ith science That region& at least& isgo$erned (% #i2ed la!s.-

-True&- !e ans!er. -'ut ho! much do !e )no! o# these la!s *o! much o# science alread% (elongs to the region o# the ascertainedin other !ords& has (een con,uered (% the intellect /e!ill not no! dis"ute& %our $indication o# the 0ascertained0 #rom the intrusion o# the imagination+ (ut !e do claim #or it all the undisco$ered& all the une2"lored.- -Ah& !ell@ There it can do little



harm. There let it run riot i# %ou !ill.- ->o&- !e re"l%. -;icence is not !hat !e claim !hen !eassert the dut% o# the imagination to (e that o# #ollo!ing and #inding out the !or) that Godma)eth. *er "art is to understand God ere she attem"ts to utter man. /here is the room #or (eing#anci#ul or riotous here It is onl% the ill(red& that is& the unculti$ated imagination that !illamuse itsel# !here it ought to !orshi" and !or).-

-'ut the #acts o# >ature are to (e disco$ered onl% (% o(ser$ation and e2"eriment.- True. 'utho! does the man o# science come to thin) o# his e2"eriments Does o(ser$ation reach to thenon"resent& the "ossi(le& the %et unconcei$ed $en i# it sho!ed %ou the e2"eriments !hich 0ought0 to (e made& !ill o(ser$ation re$eal to %ou the e2"eriments !hich 0might0 (e madeAnd !ho can tell o# !hich )ind is the one that carries in its (osom the secret o# the la! %ousee) /e %ield %ou %our #acts. The la!s !e claim #or the "ro"hetic imagination. -*e hath set the!orld 0in0 man4s heart&- not in his understanding. And the heart must o"en the door to theunderstanding. It is the #arseeing imagination !hich (eholds !hat might (e a #orm o# things&and sa%s to the intellect: -Tr% !hether that ma% not (e the #orm o# these things+- !hich (eholdsor in$ents 0a0 harmonious relation o# "arts and o"erations& and sends the intellect to #ind out

!hether that (e not 0the0 harmonious relation o# themthat is& the la! o# the "henomenon itcontem"lates. >a%& the "oetic relations themsel$es in the "henomenon ma% suggest to theimagination the la! that rules its scienti#ic li#e. Bea& more than this: !e dare to claim #or the true&childli)e& hum(le imagination& such an in!ard oneness !ith the la!s o# the uni$erse that it "ossesses in itsel# an insight into the $er% nature o# things.

;ord 'acon tells us that a "rudent ,uestion is the hal# o# )no!ledge. /hence comes this "rudent,uestion !e re"eat. And !e ans!er& From the imagination. It is the imagination that suggests in!hat direction to ma)e the ne! in,uir%!hich& should it cast no immediate light on the ans!ersought& can %et hardl% #ail to (e a ste" to!ards #inal disco$er%. $er% e2"eriment has its origin inh%"othesis+ !ithout the sca##olding o# h%"othesis& the house o# science could ne$er arise. And theconstruction o# an% h%"othesis !hate$er is the !or) o# the imagination. The man !ho cannotin$ent !ill ne$er disco$er. The imagination o#ten gets a glim"se o# the la! itsel# long (e#ore it isor can (e 0ascertained0 to (e a la!. [Footnote: This "a"er !as alread% !ritten !hen& ha""eningto mention the "resent su(?ect to a mathematical #riend& a lecturer at one o# the uni$ersities& hega$e us a corro(orati$e instance. *e had latel% 0guessed0 that a certain alge(raic "rocess could (e shortened e2ceedingl% i# the method !hich his imagination suggested should "ro$e to (e atrue onethat is& an alge(raic la!. *e "ut it to the test o# e2"erimentcommitted the $eri#ication&that is& into the hands o# his intellectand #ound the method true. It has since (een acce"ted (%the o%al 9ociet%.

>ote!orth% illustration !e ha$e latel% #ound in the record o# the e2"eriences o# an din(urghdetecti$e& an Irishman o# the name o# Mc;e$%. That the ser$ice o# the imagination in the solutiono# the "ro(lems "eculiar to his calling is !ell )no!n to him& !e could adduce man% "roo#s. *erecogni5es its #unction in the construction o# the theor% !hich shall unite this and that hint intoan organic !hole& and he e2"ressl% sets #orth the need o# a theor% (e#ore #acts can (eser$icea(le:



-I !ould !ait #or m% 4idea4.... I ne$er did an% good !ithout mine.... Chance ne$er smiled on meunless I "o)ed her some !a%+ so that m% 4notion&4 a#ter all& has (een in the getting o# it m% o!n!or) onl% "er#ected (% a higher hand.-

-n lea$ing the sho" I !ent direct to 3rince4s 9treet&o# course !ith an idea in m% mind+ and

someho! I ha$e al!a%s (een contented !ith one idea !hen I could not get another+ and thead$antage o# stic)ing (% one is& that the other don4t ?ostle it and turn %ou a(out in a circle !hen%ou should go in a straight line.- Footnote: 9ince ,uoting the a(o$e I ha$e learned that the (oo)re#erred to is un!orth% o# con#idence. 'ut let it stand as illustration !here it cannot (e "roo#.

The region (elonging to the "ure intellect is straitened: the imagination la(ours to e2tend itsterritories& to gi$e it room. 9he s!ee"s across the (orders& searching out ne! lands into !hichshe ma% guide her "lodding (rother. The imagination is the light !hich redeems #rom thedar)ness #or the e%es o# the understanding. >o$alis sa%s& -The imagination is the stu## o# theintellect-a##ords& that is& the material u"on !hich the intellect !or)s. And 'acon& in his-Ad$ancement o# ;earning&- #ull% recogni5es this its o##ice& corres"onding to the #oresight o#

God in this& that it (eholds a#ar o##. And he sa%s: -Imagination is much a)in to miracle!or)ing#aith.- [Footnote: /e are sorr% !e cannot $eri#% this ,uotation& #or !hich !e are inde(ted to Mr.ld(uc) the Anti,uar%& in the no$el o# that il). There is& ho!e$er& little room #or dou(t that it issu##icientl% correct.

In the scienti#ic region o# her dut% o# !hich !e s"ea)& the Imagination cannot ha$e her "er#ect!or)+ this (elongs to another and higher s"here than that o# intellectual truththat& namel%& o##ullglo(ed humanit%& o"erating in !hich she gi$es (irth to "oetr%truth in (eaut%. 'ut her#unction in the com"lete s"here o# our nature& !ill& at the same time& in#luence her more limitedo"eration in the sections that (elong to science. Coleridge sa%s that no one (ut a "oet !ill ma)ean% #urther 0great0 disco$eries in mathematics+ and 'acon sa%s that -!onder&- that #acult% o# themind es"eciall% attendant on the childli)e imagination& -is the seed o# )no!ledge.- Thein#luence o# the "oetic u"on the scienti#ic imagination is& #or instance& es"eciall% "resent in theconstruction o# an in$isi(le !hole #rom the hints a##orded (% a $isi(le "art+ !here the needs o#the "art& its uselessness& its (ro)en relations& are the onl% guides to a multi"le2 harmon%&com"leteness& and end& !hich is the !hole. From a little (one& !orn !ith ages o# death& olderthan the man can thin)& his scienti#ic imagination dashed !ith the "oetic& calls u" the #orm& si5e&ha(its& "eriods& (elonging to an animal ne$er (eheld (% human e%es& e$en to the minglingcontrasts o# scales and !ings& o# #eathers and hair. Through the com(ined lenses o# science andimagination& !e loo) (ac) into ancient times& so dread#ul in their incom"leteness& that it ma%!ell ha$e (een the tas) o# sera"hic #aith& as !ell as o# cheru(ic imagination& to (ehold in the!allo!ing monstrosities o# the terrorteeming earth& the "ros"ecti$e& ,uiet& agelong la(our o#God "re"aring the !orld !ith all its hum(le& grace#ul ser$ice #or his un(orn Man. Theimagination o# the "oet& on the other hand& dashed !ith the imagination o# the man o# science&re$ealed to Goethe the "ro"hec% o# the #lo!er in the lea#. >o other than an artistic imagination&ho!e$er& #ul#illed o# science& could ha$e attained to the disco$er% o# the #act that the lea# is theim"er#ect #lo!er.

/hen !e turn to histor%& ho!e$er& !e #ind "ro(a(l% the greatest o"erati$e s"here o# theintellectuoconstructi$e imagination. To disco$er its la!s+ the c%cles in !hich e$ents return& !ith



the reasons o# their return& recogni5ing them not!ithstanding metamor"hosis+ to "ercei$e the$ital motions o# this s"iritual (od% o# man)ind+ to learn #rom its #acts the rule o# God+ toconstruct #rom a succession o# (ro)en indications a !hole accordant !ith human nature+ toa""roach a scheme o# the #orces at !or)& the "assions o$er!helming or u"hea$ing& theas"irations securel% u"raising& the sel#ishnesses de(asing and crum(ling& !ith the $ital

inter!or)ing o# the !hole+ to illuminate all #rom the analog% !ith indi$idual li#e& and #rom the "redominant "hases o# indi$idual character !hich are ta)en as the mind o# the "eo"lethis is the "ro$ince o# the imagination. /ithout her in#luence no "rocess o# recording e$ents can de$elo"into a histor%. As trul% might that (e called the descri"tion o# a $olcano !hich occu"ied itsel#!ith a delineation o# the sha"es assumed (% the smo)e e2"elled #rom the mountain4s (urning (osom. /hat histor% (ecomes under the #ull s!a% o# the imagination ma% (e seen in the -*istor%o# the French e$olution&- (% Thomas Carl%le& at once a true "icture& a "hiloso"hical re$elation&a no(le "oem.

There is a !onder#ul "assage a(out 0Time0 in 9ha)es"ere4s -a"e o# ;ucrece&- !hich sho!sho! he understood histor%. The "assage is reall% a(out histor%& and not a(out time+ #or time itsel#

does nothingnot e$en -(lot old (oo)s and alter their contents.- It is the #orces at !or) in timethat "roduce all the changes+ and the% are histor%. /e ,uote #or the sa)e o# one line chie#l%& (utthe !hole stan5a is "ertinent.

-Time4s glor% is to calm contending )ings& To unmas) #alsehood& and (ring truth to light& To stam" the seal o# time in aged things& To !a)e the morn and sentinel the night& 0To !rong the !ronger till he render right+0 To ruinate "roud (uildings !ith th% hours& And smear !ith dust their glittering golden to!ers.-

0To !rong the !ronger till he render right.0 *ere is a historical c%cle !orth% o# the imaginationo# 9ha)es"ere& %ea& !orth% o# the creati$e imagination o# our Godthe God !ho made the9ha)es"ere !ith the imagination& as !ell as e$ol$ed the histor% #rom the la!s !hich thatimagination #ollo!ed and #ound out.

In #ull instance !e !ould re#er our readers to 9ha)es"ere4s historical "la%s+ and& as a sideillustration& to the #act that he re"eatedl% re"resents his greatest characters& !hen at the "oint o#death& as relie$ing their o$ercharged minds (% "ro"hec%. 9uch "ro"hec% is the result o# the lighto# imagination& cleared o# all distorting dimness (% the $anishing o# earthl% ho"es and desires&cast u"on the #acts o# e2"erience. 9uch "ro"hec% is the "er#ect !or)ing o# the historicalimagination.

In the inter"retation o# indi$idual li#e& the same "rinci"les hold+ and no!here can the imagination (e more healthil% and re!ardingl% occu"ied than in endea$ouring to construct the li#e o# anindi$idual out o# the #ragments !hich are all that can reach us o# the histor% o# e$en the no(lest



o# our race. *o! this !ill a""l% to the reading o# the gos"el stor% !e lea$e to the earnest thoughto# our readers.

/e no! "ass to one more s"here in !hich the student imagination !or)s in glad #reedomthes"here !hich is understood to (elong more immediatel% to the "oet.

/e ha$e alread% said that the #orms o# >ature (% !hich !ord 0#orms0 !e mean an% o# thoseconditions o# >ature !hich a##ect the senses o# man are so man% a""ro2imate re"resentations o# the mental conditions o# humanit%. The out!ard& commonl% called the material& is 0in#ormed0 (%& or has #orm in $irtue o#& the in!ard or immaterialin a !ord& the thought. The #orms o# >ature are the re"resentations o# human thought in $irtue o# their (eing the em(odiment o# God4sthought. As such& there#ore& the% can (e read and used to an% de"th& shallo! or "ro#ound. Men o# all ages and all de$elo"ments ha$e disco$ered in them the means o# e2"ression+ and the men o#ages to come& (e#ore us in e$er% "ath along !hich !e are no! stri$ing& must li)e!ise #ind suchmeans in those #orms& un#olding !ith their un#olding necessities. The man& then& !ho& inharmon% !ith nature& attem"ts the disco$er% o# more o# her meanings& is ?ust searching out the

things o# God. The dee"est o# these are #ar too sim"le #or us to understand as %et. 'ut let ourimagination inter"reti$e re$eal to us one se$ered signi#icance o# one o# her "arts& and such is theharmon% o# the !hole& that all the realm o# >ature is o"en to us hence#orthnot !ithout la(ourand in time. ="on the man !ho can understand the human meaning o# the sno!dro"& o# the "rimrose& or o# the dais%& the li#e o# the earth (lossoming into the cosmical #lo!er o# a "er#ectmoment !ill one da% sei5e& "ossessing him !ith its "ro"hetic ho"e& arousing his conscience !iththe $ision o# the -rest that remaineth&- and stirring u" the as"iration to enter into that rest:

-Thine is the tran,uil hour& "ur"ureal $e@ 'ut long as godli)e !ish& or ho"e di$ine& In#orms m% s"irit& ne4er can I (elie$e That this magni#icence is !holl% thine@ From !orlds not ,uic)ened (% the sun A "ortion o# the gi#t is !on+ An intermingling o# *ea$en4s "om" is s"read n ground !hich 'ritish she"herds tread@-

$en the careless cur$e o# a #ro5en cloud across the (lue !ill calm some trou(led thoughts& ma%sla% some sel#ish thoughts. And !hat shall (e said o# such gorgeous sho!s as the scarlet "o""iesin the green corn& the li)est !e ha$e to those lilies o# the #ield !hich s"o)e to the 9a$iourhimsel# o# the care o# God& and re?oiced *is e%es !ith the glor% o# their Godde$ised arra%From such $isions as these the imagination rea"s the (est #ruits o# the earth& #or the sa)e o#!hich all the science in$ol$ed in its construction& is the in#erior& %et !illing and (eauti#ulsu""ort.

From !hat !e ha$e no! ad$anced& !ill it not then a""ear that& on the !hole& the name gi$en (%our >orman ancestors is more #itting #or the man !ho mo$es in these regions than the name



gi$en (% the Gree)s Is not the 03oet0& the 0Ma)er0& a less suita(le name #or him than the 0Trou$ere0& the 0Finder0 At least& must not the #acult% that #inds "recede the #acult% that utters

'ut is there nothing to (e said o# the #unction o# the imagination #rom the Gree) side o# the,uestion Does it "ossess no creati$e #acult% *as it no originating "o!er

Certainl% it !ould (e a "oor descri"tion o# the Imagination !hich omitted the one elementes"eciall% "resent to the mind that in$ented the !ord 03oet0.It can "resent us !ith ne!thought#ormsne!& that is& as re$elations o# thought. It has created none o# the material thatgoes to ma)e these #orms. >or does it !or) u"on ra! material. 'ut it ta)es #orms alread%e2isting& and gathers them a(out a thought so much higher than the%& that it can grou" andsu(ordinate and harmoni5e them into a !hole !hich shall re"resent& un$eil that thought.[Footnote: ust so 9"enser descri(es the "rocess o# the em(odiment o# a human soul in his3latonic -*%mn in *onour o# 'eaut%.-

-9he #rames her house in !hich she !ill (e "laced Fit #or hersel#.... And the gross matter (% a so$ereign might Tem"ers so trim.... For o# the soul the (od% #orm doth ta)e+ For soul is #orm& and doth the (od% ma)e.-

The nature o# this "rocess !e !ill illustrate (% an e2amination o# the !ell)no!n 0'ugle 9ong0in Tenn%son4s -3rincess.-

First o# all& there is the ne! music o# the song& !hich does not e$en remind one o# the music o#an% other. The rh%thm& rh%me& melod%& harmon% are all an em(odiment in sound& asdistinguished #rom !ord& o# !hat can (e so em(odiedthe 0#eeling0 o# the "oem& !hich goes (e#ore& and "re"ares the !a% #or the #ollo!ing thoughttunes the heart into a rece"ti$e harmon%.Then comes the ne! arrangement o# thought and #igure !here(% the meaning contained is "resented as it ne$er !as (e#ore. /e gi$e a sort o# "ara"hrastical s%no"sis o# the "oem& !hich& "artl% in $irtue o# its disagreea(leness& !ill ena(le the lo$ers o# the song to return to it !ith anincrease o# "leasure.

The glor% o# midsummer midda% u"on mountain& la)e& and ruin. Gi$e nature a $oice #or hergladness. 'lo!& (ugle.

>ature ans!ers !ith d%ing echoes& sin)ing in the midst o# her s"lendour into a sad silence.

>ot so !ith human nature. The echoes o# the !ord o# truth gather $olume and richness #rome$er% soul that reechoes it to (rother and sister souls.

/ith "oets the 0#ashion0 has (een to contrast the sta(ilit% and re?u$enescence o# nature !ith thee$anescence and unreturning deca% o# humanit%:



-Bet soon re$i$ing "lants and #lo!ers& ane! shall dec) the "lain+ The !oods shall hear the $oice o# 9"ring& and #lourish green again. 'ut man #orsa)es this earthl% scene& ah@ ne$er to return:

9hall an% #ollo!ing 9"ring re$i$e the ashes o# the urn-

'ut our "oet $indicates the eternal in humanit%:

- ;o$e& the% die in %on rich s)%& The% #aint on hill or #ield or ri$er: ur echoes roll #rom soul to soul& And gro! #or e$er and #or e$er. 'lo!& (ugle& (lo!& set the !ild echoes #l%ing+ And ans!er& echoes& ans!er& D%ing& d%ing& d%ing.-

Is not this a ne! #orm to the thoughta #orm !hich ma)es us #eel the truth o# it a#resh Ande$er% ne! em(odiment o# a )no!n truth must (e a ne! and !ider re$elation. >o man is ca"a(leo# seeing #or himsel# the !hole o# an% truth: he needs it echoed (ac) to him #rom e$er% soul inthe uni$erse+ and still its centre is hid in the Father o# ;ights. In so #ar& then& as either #orm orthought is ne!& !e ma% grant the use o# the !ord Creation& modi#ied according to our "re$iousde#initions.

This o"eration o# the imagination in choosing& gathering& and $itall% com(ining the material o# ane! re$elation& ma% (e !ell illustrated #rom a certain em"lo%ment o# the "oetic #acult% in !hichour greatest "oets ha$e delighted. 3ercei$ing truth hal# hidden and hal# re$ealed in the slo!s"eech and stammering tongue o# men !ho ha$e gone (e#ore them& the% ha$e ta)en u" theun#inished #orm and com"leted it+ the% ha$e& as it !ere& rescued the soul o# meaning #rom its "rison o# unin#ormed crudit%& !here it sat li)e the 3rince in the -Ara(ian >ights&- hal# man& hal#mar(le+ the% ha$e set it #ree in its o!n #orm& in a sha"e& namel%& !hich it could -through e$er% "art im"ress.- 9ha)es"ere4s )een e%e suggested man% such a rescue #rom the tom(o# a taledrearil% tolda tale !hich no one no! !ould read sa$e #or the glori#ied #orm in !hich he has reem(odied its true contents. And #rom Tenn%son !e can "roduce one s"ecimen small enough #orour use& !hich& a mere chi" #rom the great mar(le reem(od%ing the old legend o# Arthur4s death&ma%& li)e the hand o# Achilles holding his s"ear in the cro!ded "icture&

-9tand #or the !hole to (e imagined.-

In the -*istor% o# 3rince Arthur&- !hen 9ir 'edi$ere returns a#ter hiding 2cali(ur the #irst time&the )ing as)s him !hat he has seen& and he ans!ers

-9ir& I sa! nothing (ut !a$es and !ind.-

The second time& to the same ,uestion& he ans!ers



-9ir& I sa! nothing (ut the !ater[1 !a"& and the !a$es !an.-

[Footnote 1: The !ord 0!a"0 is "lain enough+ the !ord 0!an0 !e cannot satis#% oursel$esa(out. *ad it (een used !ith regard to the !ater& it might ha$e (een !orth remar)ing that 0!an0&meaning dar)& gloom%& tur(id& is a common ad?ecti$e to a ri$er in the old 9cotch (allad. And it

might (e an ad?ecti$e here+ (ut that is not li)el%& seeing it is con?oined !ith the $er( 0!a"0. TheAnglo9a2on 0!anian0& to decrease& might (e the root!ord& "erha"s& in the sense o# 0to e((0&i# this !ater had (een the sea and not a la)e. 'ut "ossi(l% the meaning is& -I heard the !ater 0!hoo"0 or 0!ail aloud0- #rom 0/o"an0+ and -the !a$es 0!hine0 or 0(e!ail0- #rom 0/anian0 to lament. 'ut e$en then the t!o $er(s !ould seem to "redicate o# trans"osedsu(?ects.

This ans!er Tenn%son has e2"anded into the !ell)no!n lines

-I heard the ri""le !ashing in the reeds&

And the !ild !ater la""ing on the crag+-

slightl% $aried& #or the other occasion& into

-I heard the !ater la""ing on the crag& And the long ri""le !ashing in the reeds.-

'ut& as to this matter o# 0creation0& is there& a#ter all& I as) %et& an% genuine sense in !hich a manma% (e said to create his o!n thought#orms Allo!ing that a ne! com(ination o# #orms alread%e2isting might (e called creation& is the man& a#ter all& the author o# this ne! com(ination Didhe& !ith his !ill and his )no!ledge& "roceed !ittingl%& consciousl%& to construct a #orm !hichshould em(od% his thought r did this #orm arise !ithin him !ithout !ill or e##ort o# his$i$idi# not clearcertain i# not outlined us)in and (etter authorit% !e do not )no! !ill assert thelatter& and !e thin) he is right: though "erha"s he !ould insist more u"on the a(solute "er#ectiono# the $ision than !e are ,uite "re"ared to do. 9uch em(odiments are not the result o# the man4sintention& or o# the o"eration o# his conscious nature. *is #eeling is that the% are gi$en to him+that #rom the $ast un)no!n& !here time and s"ace are not& the% suddenl% a""ear in luminous!riting u"on the !all o# his consciousness. Can it (e correct& then& to sa% that he created them >othing less so& as it seems to us. 'ut can !e not sa% that the% are the creation o# theunconscious "ortion o# his nature Bes& "ro$ided !e can understand that that !hich is theindi$idual& the man& can )no!& and not )no! that it )no!s& can create and %et (e ignorant that$irtue has gone out o# it. From that un)no!n region !e grant the% come& (ut not (% its o!n (lind!or)ing. >or& e$en !ere it so& could an% amount o# such "roduction& !here no !ill !asconcerned& (e digni#ied !ith the name o# creation. 'ut God sits in that cham(er o# our (eing in!hich the candle o# our consciousness goes out in dar)ness& and sends #orth #rom thence!onder#ul gi#ts into the light o# that understanding !hich is *is candle. ur ho"e lies in no most "er#ect mechanism e$en o# the s"irit& (ut in the !isdom !herein !e li$e and mo$e and ha$e our (eing. Thence !e ho"e #or endless #orms o# (eaut% in#ormed o# truth. I# the dar) "ortion o# ouro!n (eing !ere the origin o# our imaginations& !e might !ell #ear the a""arition o# such



monsters as !ould (e generated in the sic)ness o# a deca% !hich could ne$er #eelonl% declarea slo! return to!ards "rime$al chaos. 'ut the Ma)er is our ;ight.

ne !ord more& ere !e turn to consider the culture o# this no(lest #acult%& !hich !e might !ellcall the creati$e& did !e not see a something in God #or !hich !e !ould hum(l% )ee" our

might% !ord:the #act that there is al!a%s more in a !or) o# art!hich is the highest humanresult o# the em(od%ing imaginationthan the "roducer himsel# "ercei$ed !hile he "roduced it&seems to us a strong reason #or attri(uting to it a larger origin than the man alone#or sa%ing atthe last& that the ins"iration o# the Almight% sha"ed its ends.

/e return no! to the class !hich& #rom the #irst& !e su""osed hostile to the imagination and its#unctions generall%. Those (elonging to it !ill no! sa%: -It !as to no imagination such as %ouha$e (een setting #orth that !e !ere o""osed& (ut to those !ild #ancies and $ague re$eries in!hich %oung "eo"le indulge& to the damage and loss o# the real in the !orld around them.-

-And&- !e insist& -%ou !ould recti#% the matter (% smothering the %oung monster at once

(ecause he has !ings& and& %oung to their use& #lutters them a(out in a !a% discom"osing to %our ner$es& and destructi$e to those notions o# "ro"riet% o# !hich this creature%ou sto" not toin,uire !hether angel or "terodact%lehas not %et learned e$en the e2istence. r& i# it is onl% thecreature4s $agaries o# !hich %ou disa""ro$e& !h% s"ea) o# them as 0the0 e2ercise o# theimagination As !ell s"ea) o# religion as the mother o# cruelt% (ecause religion has gi$en moreoccasion o# cruelt%& as o# all dishonest% and de$ilr%& than an% other o(?ect o# human interest. Are!e not to !orshi"& (ecause our #ore#athers (urned and sta((ed #or religion It is more religion!e !ant. It is more imagination !e need. 'e assured that these are (ut the #irst $ital motions o#that !hose results& at least in the region o# science& %ou are more than !illing to acce"t.- Thate$il ma% s"ring #rom the imagination& as #rom e$er%thing e2ce"t the "er#ect lo$e o# God& cannot (e denied. 'ut in#initel% !orse e$ils !ould (e the result o# its a(sence. 9el#ishness& a$arice&sensualit%& cruelt%& !ould #lourish ten#old+ and the "o!er o# 9atan !ould (e !ell esta(lished eresome children had (egun to choose. Those !ho !ould ,uell the a""arentl% la!less tossing o# thes"irit& called the %outh#ul imagination& !ould su""ress all that is to gro! out o# it. The% #ear theenthusiasm the% ne$er #elt+ and instead o# cherishing this di$ine thing& instead o# gi$ing it roomand air #or health#ul gro!th& the% !ould crush and con#ine it!ith (ut one result o# their$ictorious endea$ours im"osthume& #e$er& and corru"tion. And the disastrous conse,uences!ould soon a""ear in the intellect li)e!ise !hich the% !orshi". <ill that !hence s"ring thecrude #ancies and !ild da%dreams o# the %oung& and %ou !ill ne$er lead them (e%ond dull#actsdull (ecause their relations to each other& and the one li#e that !or)s in them all& mustremain undisco$ered. /hoe$er !ould ha$e his children a$oid this arid region !ill do !ell toallo! no teacher to a""roach themnot e$en o# mathematics!ho has no imagination.

-'ut although good results ma% a""ear in a #e! #rom the indulgence o# the imagination& ho! !illit (e !ith the man%-

/e ans!er that the antidote to indulgence is de$elo"ment& not restraint& and that such is the dut%o# the !ise ser$ant o# *im !ho made the imagination.



-'ut !ill most girls& #or instance& rise to those use#ul uses o# the imagination Are the% not moreli)el% to e2ercise it in (uilding castles in the air to the neglect o# houses on the earth And as the!orld a##ords such "oor sco"e #or the ideal& !ill not this ha(it (reed $ain desires and $ainregrets Is it not (etter& there#ore& to )ee" to that !hich is )no!n& and lea$e the rest-

-Is the !orld so "oor- !e as) in return. The less reason& then& to (e satis#ied !ith it+ the morereason to rise a(o$e it& into the region o# the true& o# the eternal& o# things as God thin)s them.This out!ard !orld is (ut a "assing $ision o# the "ersistent true. /e shall not li$e in it al!a%s./e are d!ellers in a di$ine uni$erse !here no desires are in $ain& i# onl% the% (e large enough. >ot e$en in this !orld do all disa""ointments (reed onl% $ain regrets.

[Footnote: -/e !ill grie$e not& rather #ind 9trength in !hat remains (ehind+ In the "rimal s%m"ath%

/hich& ha$ing (een& must e$er (e+ In the soothing thoughts that s"ring ut o# human su##ering+ In the #aith that loo)s through death& In %ears that (ring the "hiloso"hic mind.-

And as to )ee"ing to that !hich is )no!n and lea$ing the restho! man% a##airs o# this !orldare so !ellde#ined& so ca"a(le o# (eing clearl% understood& as not to lea$e large s"aces o#uncertaint%& !hose $er% correlate #acult% is the imagination Indeed it must& in most things& !or) a#ter some #ashion& #illing the ga"s a#ter some "ossi(le "lan& (e#ore action can e$en (egin. In$er% truth& a !ise imagination& !hich is the "resence o# the s"irit o# God& is the (est guide thatman or !oman can ha$e+ #or it is not the things !e see the most clearl% that in#luence us the most "o!er#ull%+ unde#ined& %et $i$id $isions o# something (e%ond& something !hich e%e has not seennor ear heard& ha$e #ar more in#luence than an% logical se,uences !here(% the same things ma% (e demonstrated to the intellect. It is the nature o# the thing& not the clearness o# its outline& thatdetermines its o"eration. /e li$e (% #aith& and not (% sight. 3ut the ,uestion to ourmathematiciansonl% (e sure the ,uestion reaches them!hether the% !ould "art !ith the !ellde#ined "er#ection o# their diagrams& or the dim& strange& "ossi(l% hal#o(literated characters!o$en in the !e( o# their (eing+ their science& in short& or their "oetr%+ their certainties& or theirho"es+ their consciousness o# )no!ledge& or their $ague sense o# that !hich cannot (e )no!na(solutel%: !ill the% hold (% their cra#t or (% their ins"irations& (% their intellects or theirimaginations I# the% sa% the #ormer in each alternati$e& I shall %et dou(t !hether the o(?ects o#the choice are actuall% (e#ore them& and !ith e,ual "resentation.

/hat can (e )no!n must (e )no!n se$erel%+ (ut is there& there#ore& no #acult% #or those in#initelands o# uncertaint% l%ing all a(out the s"here hollo!ed out o# the dar) (% the glimmering lam"o# our )no!ledge Are the% not the natural "ro"ert% o# the imagination there& 0#or0 it& that itma% ha$e room to gro! there& that the man ma% learn to imagine greatl% li)e God !ho made



him& himsel# disco$ering their m%steries& in $irtue o# his #ollo!ing and !orshi""ingimagination

All that has (een said& then& tends to en#orce the culture o# the imagination. 'ut the strongestargument o# all remains (ehind. For& i# the !hole "o!er o# "edantr% should rise against her& the

imagination !ill %et !or)+ and i# not #or good& then #or e$il+ i# not #or truth& then #or #alsehood+ i# not #or li#e& then #or death+ the e$il alternati$e (ecoming the more li)el% #rom the unnaturaltreatment she has e2"erienced #rom those !ho ought to ha$e #ostered her. The "o!er that mightha$e gone #orth in concei$ing the no(lest #orms o# action& in reali5ing the li$es o# the truehearted& the sel##orgetting& !ill go #orth in (uilding air% castles o# $ain am(ition& o# (oundlessriches& o# unearned admiration. The imagination that might (e de$ising ho! to ma)e home (lessed or to hel" the "oor neigh(our& !ill (e a(sor(ed in the in$ention o# the ne! dress& or!orse& in de$ising the means o# "rocuring it. For& i# she (e not occu"ied !ith the (eauti#ul& she!ill (e occu"ied (% the "leasant+ that !hich goes not out to !orshi"& !ill remain at home to (esensual. Culti$ate the mere intellect as %ou ma%& it !ill ne$er reduce the "assions: theimagination& see)ing the ideal in e$er%thing& !ill ele$ate them to their true and no(le ser$ice.

9ee) not that %our sons and %our daughters should not see $isions& should not dream dreams+see) that the% should see true $isions& that the% should dream no(le dreams. 9uch outgoing o#the imagination is one !ith as"iration& and !ill do more to ele$ate a(o$e !hat is lo! and $ilethan all "ossi(le inculcations o# moralit%. >or can religion hersel# e$er rise u" into her o!n calmhome& her cr%stal shrine& !hen one o# her !ings& one o# the t!ain !ith !hich she #lies& is thus (ro)en or "aral%5ed.

-The uni$erse is in#initel% !ide& And con,uering eason& i# sel#glori#ied& Can no!here mo$e uncrossed (% some ne! !all r gul# o# m%ster%& !hich thou alone& Imaginati$e Faith@ canst o$erlea"& In "rogress to!ards the #ount o# lo$e.-

The danger that lies in the re"ression o# the imagination ma% (e !ell illustrated #rom the "la% o#-Mac(eth.- The imagination o# the hero in him a "o!er#ul #acult%& re"resenting ho! the deed!ould a""ear to others& and so re"resenting its true nature to himsel#& !as his great im"edimenton the "ath to crime. >or !ould he ha$e succeeded in reaching it& had he not gone to his !i#e #or hel"sought re#uge #rom his trou(lesome imagination !ith her. 9he& "ossessing #ar less o# the#acult%& and ha$ing dealt more destructi$el% !ith !hat she had& too) his hand& and led him to thedeed. From her imagination& again& she #or her "art ta)es re#uge in un(elie# and denial& declaringto hersel# and her hus(and that there is no realit% in its re"resentations+ that there is no realit% inan%thing (e%ond the "resent e##ect it "roduces on the mind u"on !hich it o"erates+ that intellectand courage are e,ual to an%& e$en an e$il emergenc%+ and that no harm !ill come to those !hocan rule themsel$es according to their o!n !ill. 9till& ho!e$er& #inding her imagination& and %etmore that o# her hus(and& trou(lesome& she e##ects a mar$ellous com(ination o# materialism andidealism& and asserts that things are not& cannot (e& and shall not (e more or other than "eo"lechoose to thin) them. 9he sa%s&



-These deeds must not (e thought A#ter these !a%s+ so& it !ill ma)e us mad.-

-The slee"ing and the dead Are (ut as "ictures.-

'ut she had o$erestimated the "o!er o# her !ill& and underestimated that o# her imagination.*er !ill !as the one thing in her that !as (ad& !ithout root or su""ort in the uni$erse& !hile herimagination !as the $oice o# God himsel# out o# her o!n un)no!n (eing. The choice o# no manor !oman can long determine ho! or !hat he or she shall thin) o# things. ;ad% Mac(eth4simagination !ould not (e re"ressed (e%ond its a""ointed "erioda time determined (% la!s o#her (eing o$er !hich she had no control. It arose& at length& as #rom the dead& o$ershado!ing her !ith all the (lac)ness o# her crime. The !oman !ho dran) strong drin) that she might murder&

dared not slee" !ithout a light (% her (ed+ rose and !al)ed in the night& a slee"less s"irit in aslee"ing (od%& ru((ing the s"otted hand o# her dreams& !hich& o#ten as !ater had cleared it o# thedeed& %et smelt so in her slee"ing nostrils& that all the "er#umes o# Ara(ia !ould not s!eeten it.Thus her long do!ntrodden imagination rose and too) $engeance& e$en through those senses!hich she had thought to su(ordinate to her !ic)ed !ill.

'ut all this is o# the imagination itsel#& and #itter& there#ore& #or illustration than #or argument. ;etus come to #acts.Dr. 3ritchard& latel% e2ecuted #or murder& had no lac) o# that in$ention& !hichis& as it !ere& the intellect o# the imaginationits lo!est #orm. ne o# the clerg%men !ho& at hiso!n re,uest& attended the "risoner& !ent through indescri(a(le horrors in the $ain endea$our toinduce the man sim"l% to cease #rom l%ing: one in$ention a#ter another #ollo!ed the most earnestasse$erations o# truth. The e##ect "roduced u"on us (% this clerg%man4s re"ort o# his e2"erience!as a moral disma%& such as !e had ne$er #elt !ith regard to human (eing& and dre! #rom us thee2clamation& -The man could ha$e had no imagination.- The re"l% !as& ->one !hate$er.- >e$ersee)ing true or high things& caring onl% #or a""earances& and& there#ore& #or in$entions& he hadle#t his imagination all unde$elo"ed& and !hen it re"resented his o!n inner condition to him& hadre"ressed it until it !as nearl% destro%ed& and !hat remained o# it !as set on #ire o# hell.[Footnote: ne o# the (est !ee)l% "a"ers in ;ondon& e$identl% as much in ignorance o# the manas o# the #acts o# the case& s"o)e o# Dr. Mac;eod as ha$ing (een engaged in -!hite!ashing themurderer #or hea$en.- 9o #ar is this #rom a true re"resentation& that Dr. Mac;eod actuall% re#usedto "ra% !ith him& telling him that i# there !as a hell to go to& he must go to it.

Man is -the roo# and cro!n o# things.- *e is the !orld& and more. There#ore the chie# sco"e o#his imagination& ne2t to God !ho made him& !ill he the !orld in relation to his o!n li#e therein./ill he do (etter or !orse in it i# this imagination& touched to #ine issues and ha$ing #ree sco"e& "resent him !ith no(le "ictures o# relationshi" and dut%& o# "ossi(le ele$ation o# character andattaina(le ?ustice o# (eha$iour& o# #riendshi" and o# lo$e+ and& a(o$e all& o# all these in that li#e tounderstand !hich as a !hole& must e$er (e the lo#tiest as"iration o# this no(lest "o!er o#humanit% /ill a !oman lead a more or a less trou(led li#e that the sights and sounds o# nature (rea) through the crust o# gathering an2iet%& and remind her o# the "eace o# the lilies and the



!ell(eing o# the (irds o# the air r !ill li#e (e less interesting to her& that the li$es o# herneigh(ours& instead o# "assing li)e shado!s u"on a !all& assume a consistent !holeness& #ormingthemsel$es into stories and "hases o# li#e /ill she not here(% lo$e more and tal) less r !illshe (e more unli)el% to ma)e a good match 'ut here !e arrest oursel$es in (e!ildermento$er the !ord 0good0& and see) to rearrange our thoughts. I# !hat mothers mean (% a 0good0

match& is the alliance o# a man o# "osition and meansor let them thro! intellect& manners& and "ersonal ad$antages into the same scalei# this (e all& then !e grant the daughter o# culti$atedimagination ma% not (e managea(le& !ill "ro(a(l% (e o(stinate. -/e ho"e she !ill (e o(stinateenough. [Footnote: ;et !omen !ho #eel the !rongs o# their )ind teach !omen to (e highminded in their relation to men& and the% !ill do more #or the social ele$ation o# !omen& and theesta(lishment o# their rights& !hate$er those rights ma% (e& than (% an% amount o# intellectualde$elo"ment or assertion o# e,ualit%. >or& i# the% are other than mere "artisans& !ill the% re#usethe attem"t (ecause in its success men !ill& a#ter all& (e e,ual& i# not greater gainers& i# onl%there(% the% should (e -#eelingl% "ersuaded- !hat the% are. 'ut !ill the girl (e less li)el% tomarr% a 0gentleman0& in the grand old meaning o# the si2teenth centur% !hen it !as noirre$erence to call our ;ord

-The #irst true gentleman that e$er (reathed+-

or in that o# the #ourteenth!hen Chaucer teaching -!hom is !orth% to (e called gentill&-!rites thus:

-The #irst stoc)e !as #ull o# right!isnes& Tre!e o# his !orde& so(er& "itous and #ree& Clene o# his goste& and lo$ed (esinesse& Against the $ice o# slouth in honeste+ And (ut his heire lo$e $ertue as did he& *e is not gentill though he rich seme& All !eare he miter& cro!ne& or diademe.-

/ill she (e less li)el% to marr% one !ho honours !omen& and #or their sa)es& as !ell as his o!n&honours himsel# r to s"ea) #rom !hat man% !ould regard as the mother4s side o# the,uestion!ill the girl (e more li)el%& (ecause o# such a culture o# her imagination& to re#use the!ise& truehearted& generous rich man& and #all in lo$e !ith the tal)ing& $ersema)ing #ool& 0(ecause0 he is "oor& as i# that !ere a $irtue #or !hich he had stri$en The highest imaginationand the lo!liest common sense are al!a%s on one side.

For the end o# imagination is 0harmon%0. A right imagination& (eing the re#le2 o# the creation&!ill #all in !ith the di$ine order o# things as the highest #orm o# its o!n o"eration+ -!ill tune itsinstrument here at the door- to the di$ine harmonies !ithin+ !ill (e content alone !ith gro!thto!ards the di$ine idea& !hich includes all that is (eauti#ul in the im"er#ect imaginations o# men+!ill )no! that e$er% de$iation #rom that gro!th is do!n!ard+ and !ill there#ore send the man#orth #rom its lo#tiest re"resentations to do the commonest dut% o# the most !earisome calling ina heart% and ho"e#ul s"irit. This is the !or) o# the right imagination+ and to!ards this !or)



e$er% imagination& in "ro"ortion to the rightness that is in it& !ill tend. The re$eries e$en o# the!ise man !ill ma)e him stronger #or his !or)+ his dreaming as !ell as his thin)ing !ill renderhim sorr% #or "ast #ailure& and ho"e#ul o# #uture success.

To come no! to the culture o# the imagination. Its de$elo"ment is one o# the main ends o# the

di$ine education o# li#e !ith all its e##orts and e2"eriences. There#ore the #irst and essentialmeans #or its culture must (e an ordering o# our li#e to!ards harmon% !ith its ideal in the mindo# God. As he that is !illing to do the !ill o# the Father& shall )no! o# the doctrine& so& !e dou(tnot& he that !ill do the !ill o# T* 3T& shall (ehold the 'eauti#ul. For all is God4s+ and theman !ho is gro!ing into harmon% !ith *is !ill& is gro!ing into harmon% !ith himsel#+ all thehidden glories o# his (eing are coming out into the light o# hum(le consciousness+ so that at thelast he shall (e a "ure microcosm& #aith#ull% re#lecting& a#ter his manner& the might% macrocosm./e (elie$e& there#ore& that nothing !ill do so much #or the intellect or the imagination as 0(einggood0!e do not mean a#ter an% #ormula or an% creed& (ut sim"l% a#ter the #aith o# *im !ho didthe !ill o# his Father in hea$en.

'ut i# !e s"ea) o# direct means #or the culture o# the imagination& the !hole is com"rised in t!o!ords#ood and e2ercise. I# %ou !ant strong arms& ta)e animal #ood& and ro!. Feed %ourimagination !ith #ood con$enient #or it& and e2ercise it& not in the contortions o# the acro(at& (utin the mo$ements o# the g%mnast. And #irst #or the #ood.

Goethe has told us that the !a% to de$elo" the aesthetic #acult% is to ha$e constantl% (e#ore oure%es& that is& in the room !e most #re,uent& some !or) o# the (est attaina(le art. This !ill teachus to re#use the e$il and choose the good. It !ill "lant itsel# in our minds and (ecome ourcounsellor. In$oluntaril%& unconsciousl%& !e shall com"are !ith its "er#ection e$er%thing thatcomes (e#ore us #or ?udgment. >o!& although no (etter ad$ice could he gi$en& it in$ol$es onedanger& that o# narro!ness. And not easil%& in dread o# this danger& !ould one change his tutor&and so "rocure $ariet% o# instruction. 'ut in the culture o# the imagination& (oo)s& although notthe onl%& are the readiest means o# su""l%ing the #ood con$enient #or it& and a hundred (oo)sma% he had !here e$en one !or) o# art o# the right sort is unattaina(le& seeing such must he o#some si5e as !ell as o# thorough e2cellence. And in $ariet% alone is sa#et% #rom the danger o# thecon$enient #ood (ecoming the incon$enient model.

;et us su""ose& then& that one !ho himsel# ?ustl% estimates the imagination is an2ious to de$elo"its o"eration in his child. >o dou(t the (est (eginning& es"eciall% i# the child (e %oung& is anac,uaintance !ith nature& in !hich let him he encouraged to o(ser$e $ital "henomena& to "utthings together& to s"eculate #rom !hat he sees to !hat he does not see. 'ut let earnest care (eta)en that u"on no matter shall he go on tal)ing #oolishl%. ;et him (e as #anci#ul as he ma%& (utlet him not& e$en in his #anc%& sin against #anc%4s sense+ #or #anc% has its la!s as certainl% as themost ordinar% (usiness o# li#e. /hen he is sill%& let him )no! it and (e ashamed.

'ut !here this association !ith nature is (ut occasionall% "ossi(le& recourse must (e had toliterature. In (oo)s& !e not onl% ha$e store o# all results o# the imagination& (ut in them& as in her !or)sho"& !e ma% (ehold her em(od%ing (e#ore our $er% e%es& in music o# s"eech& in !onder o# !ords& till her !or)& li)e a golden dish set !ith shining ?e!els& and adorned (% the hands o# thecunning !or)men& stands #inished (e#ore us. In this )ind& then& the (est must (e set (e#ore the



learner& that he ma% eat and not (e satis#ied+ #or the #inest "roducts o# the imagination are o# the (est nourishment #or the (eginnings o# that imagination. And the mind o# the teacher mustmediate (et!een the !or) o# art and the mind o# the "u"il& (ringing them together in the $italcontact o# intelligence+ directing the o(ser$ation to the lines o# e2"ression& the "oints o# #orce+and hel"ing the mind to re"ose u"on the !hole& so that no se"ara(le (eauties shall lead to a

neglect o# the sco"ethat is the sha"e or #orm com"lete. And e$er he must see) to 0sho!0e2cellence rather than tal) a(out it& gi$ing the thing itsel#& that it ma% gro! into the mind& andnot a eulog% o# his o!n u"on the thing+ isolating the "oint !orth% o# remar) rather than ma)ingman% remar)s u"on the "oint.

s"eciall% must he endea$our to sho! the s"iritual sca##olding or s)eleton o# an% !or) o# art+those main ideas u"on !hich the sha"e is constructed& and around !hich the rest grou" asministering de"endencies.

'ut he !ill not& there#ore& "ass o$er that intellectual structure !ithout !hich the other could not (e mani#ested. *e !ill not #orget the (uilder !hile he admires the architect. /hile he d!ells

!ith delight on the relation o# the "eculiar arch to the meaning o# the !hole cathedral& he !ill notthin) it needless to e2"lain the "rinci"les on !hich it is constructed& or e$en ho! those "rinci"lesare carried out in actual "rocess. >either %et !ill the tracer% o# its !indo!s& the #oliage o# itscroc)ets& or the #retting o# its mouldings (e #orgotten. $er% (eaut% !ill ha$e its !ord& onl% all (eauties !ill (e su(ordinated to the #inal (eaut%that is& the unit% o# the !hole.

Thus doing& he shall "er#orm the true o##ice o# #riendshi". *e !ill introduce his "u"il into thesociet% !hich he himsel# "ri5es most& surrounding him !ith the genial "resence o# the highminded& that this good com"an% ma% !or) its o!n )ind in him !ho #re,uents it.

'ut he !ill li)e!ise see) to turn him aside #rom such com"an%& !hether o# (oo)s or o# men& asmight tend to lo!er his re$erence& his choice& or his standard. *e !ill& there#ore& discourageindiscriminate reading& and that !orse than !aste !hich consists in s)imming the (oo)s o# acirculating li(rar%. *e )no!s that i# a (oo) is !orth reading at all& it is !orth reading !ell+ andthat& i# it is not !orth reading& it is onl% to the most accom"lished reader that it 0can0 (e !orths)imming. *e !ill see) to ma)e him discern& not merel% (et!een the good and the e$il& (ut (et!een the good and the not so good. And this not #or the sa)e o# shar"ening the intellect& stillless o# generating that sel#satis#action !hich is the closest attendant u"on criticism& (ut #or thesa)e o# choosing the (est "ath and the (est com"anions u"on it. A s"irit o# criticism #or the sa)eo# distinguishing onl%& or& #ar !orse& #or the sa)e o# ha$ing one4s o"inion read% u"on demand& isnot merel% re"ulsi$e to all true thin)ers& (ut is& in itsel#& destructi$e o# all thin)ing. A s"irit o#criticism #or the sa)e o# the trutha s"irit that does not start #rom its cham(er at e$er% noise& (ut!aits till its "resence is desiredcannot& indeed& garnish the house& (ut can s!ee" it clean. /erethere enough o# such !ise criticism& there !ould (e ten times the stud% o# the (est !riters o# the "ast& and "erha"s onetenth o# the admiration #or the e"hemeral "roductions o# the da%. Agathered mountain o# mis"laced !orshi"s !ould (e s!e"t into the sea (% the stud% o# one good (oo)+ and !hile !hat !as good in an in#erior (oo) !ould still (e admired& the relati$e "ositiono# the (oo) !ould (e altered and its in#luence lessened.



9"ea)ing o# true learning& ;ord 'acon sa%s: -It ta)eth a!a% $ain admiration o# an%thing& 0!hichis the root o# all !ea)ness0.-

The right teacher !ould ha$e his "u"il eas% to "lease& (ut ill to satis#%+ read% to en?o%& unread% toem(race+ )een to disco$er (eaut%& slo! to sa%& -*ere I !ill d!ell.-

'ut he !ill not con#ine his instructions to the region o# art. *e !ill encourage him to read histor%!ith an e%e eager #or the da!ning #igure o# the "ast. *e !ill es"eciall% sho! him that a great "art o# the 'i(le is onl% thus to (e understood+ and that the constant and consistent !a% o# God&to (e disco$ered in it& is in #act the )e% to all histor%.

In the histor% o# indi$iduals& as !ell& he !ill tr% to sho! him ho! to "ut sign and to)en together&constructing not indeed a !hole& (ut a "ro(a(le suggestion o# the !hole.

And& again& !hile sho!ing him the re#le2 o# nature in the "oets& he !ill not (e satis#ied !ithoutsending him to >ature hersel#+ urging him in countr% ram(les to )ee" o"en e%es #or the s!eet

#ashionings and (lendings o# her o"eration around him+ and in cit% !al)s to !atch the -human#ace di$ine.-

nce more: he !ill "oint out to him the essential di##erence (et!een re$erie and thought+ (et!een dreaming and imagining. *e !ill teach him not to mista)e #anc%& either in himsel# or inothers #or imagination& and to (e!are o# hunting a#ter resem(lances that carr% !ith them nointer"retation.

9uch training is not solel% #itted #or the "ossi(le de$elo"ment o# artistic #acult%. Fe!& in this!orld& !ill e$er (e a(le to utter !hat the% #eel. Fe!er still !ill (e a(le to utter it in #orms o# their o!n. >or is it necessar% that there should (e man% such. 'ut it is necessar% that all should #eel. Itis necessar% that all should understand and imagine the good+ that all should (egin& at least& to#ollo! and #ind out God.

-The glor% o# God is to conceal a thing& (ut the glor% o# the )ing is to #ind it out&- sa%s 9olomon.-As i#&- remar)s 'acon on the "assage& -according to the innocent "la% o# children& the Di$ineMa?est% too) delight to hide his !or)s& to the end to ha$e them #ound out+ and as i# )ings couldnot o(tain a greater honour than to (e God4s "la%#ello!s in that game.-

ne more ,uotation #rom the (oo) o# cclesiastes& setting #orth (oth the necessit% !e are underto imagine& and the com#ort that our imagining cannot outstri" God4s ma)ing.

-I ha$e seen the tra$ail !hich God hath gi$en to the sons o# men to (e e2ercised in it. *e hathmade e$er%thing (eauti#ul in his time+ also he hath set the !orld in their heart& so that no mancan #ind out the !or) that God ma)eth #rom the (eginning to the end.-

Thus to (e "la%#ello!s !ith God in this game& the little ones ma% gather their daisies and #ollo!their "ainted moths+ the child o# the )ingdom ma% "ore u"on the lilies o# the #ield& and gather#aith as the (irds o# the air their #ood #rom the lea#less ha!thorn& rudd% !ith the stores God haslaid u" #or them+ and the man o# science



-Ma% sit and rightl% s"ell # e$er% star that hea$en doth she!& And e$er% her( that si"s the de!+

Till old e2"erience do attain To something li)e "ro"hetic strain.-

The Gra% /ol#

ne e$eningt!ilight in s"ring& a %oung nglish student& !ho had !andered north!ards as #ar asthe outl%ing #ragments o# 9cotland called the r)ne% and 9hetland Islands& #ound himsel# on asmall island o# the latter grou"& caught in a storm o# !ind and hail& !hich had come on suddenl%.It !as in $ain to loo) a(out #or an% shelter+ #or not onl% did the storm entirel% o(scure the

landsca"e& (ut there !as nothing around him sa$e a desert moss.

At length& ho!e$er& as he !al)ed on #or mere !al)ing4s sa)e& he #ound himsel# on the $erge o# acli##& and sa!& o$er the (ro! o# it& a #e! #eet (elo! him& a ledge o# roc)& !here he might #indsome shelter #rom the (last& !hich (le! #rom (ehind. ;etting himsel# do!n (% his hands& healighted u"on something that crunched (eneath his tread& and #ound the (ones o# man% smallanimals scattered a(out in #ront o# a little ca$e in the roc)& o##ering the re#uge he sought. *e!ent in& and sat u"on a stone. The storm increased in $iolence& and as the dar)ness gre! he (ecame uneas%& #or he did not relish the thought o# s"ending the night in the ca$e. *e had "arted#rom his com"anions on the o""osite side o# the island& and it added to his uneasiness that the%must (e #ull o# a""rehension a(out him. At last there came a lull in the storm& and the sameinstant he heard a #oot#all& stealth% and light as that o# a !ild (east& u"on the (ones at the moutho# the ca$e. *e started u" in some #ear& though the least thought might ha$e satis#ied him thatthere could (e no $er% dangerous animals u"on the island. 'e#ore he had time to thin)& ho!e$er&the #ace o# a !oman a""eared in the o"ening. agerl% the !anderer s"o)e. 9he started at thesound o# his $oice. *e could not see her !ell& (ecause she !as turned to!ards the dar)ness o#the ca$e.

-/ill %ou tell me ho! to #ind m% !a% across the moor to 9hielness- he as)ed.

-Bou cannot #ind it tonight&- she ans!ered& in a s!eet tone& and !ith a smile that (e!itchedhim& re$ealing the !hitest o# teeth.

-/hat am I to do& then-

-M% mother !ill gi$e %ou shelter& (ut that is all she has to o##er.-

-And that is #ar more than I e2"ected a minute ago&- he re"lied. -I shall (e most grate#ul.-

9he turned in silence and le#t the ca$e. The %outh #ollo!ed.



9he !as (are#ooted& and her "rett% (ro!n #eet !ent catli)e o$er the shar" stones& as she led the!a% do!n a roc)% "ath to the shore. *er garments !ere scant% and torn& and her hair (le!tangled in the !ind. 9he seemed a(out #i$e and t!ent%& lithe and small. *er long #ingers )e"tclutching and "ulling ner$ousl% at her s)irts as she !ent. *er #ace !as $er% gra% in com"le2ion&

and $er% !orn& (ut delicatel% #ormed& and smooths)inned. *er thin nostrils !ere tremulous ase%elids& and her li"s& !hose cur$es !ere #aultless& had no colour to gi$e sign o# ind!elling (lood./hat her e%es !ere li)e he could not see& #or she had ne$er li#ted the delicate #ilms o# here%elids.

At the #oot o# the cli##& the% came u"on a little hut leaning against it& and ha$ing #or its innera"artment a natural hollo! !ithin. 9mo)e !as s"reading o$er the #ace o# the roc)& and thegrate#ul odour o# #ood ga$e ho"e to the hungr% student. *is guide o"ened the door o# the cottage+he #ollo!ed her in& and sa! a !oman (ending o$er a #ire in the middle o# the #loor. n the #irela% a large #ish (roiling. The daughter s"o)e a #e! !ords& and the mother turned and !elcomedthe stranger. 9he had an old and $er% !rin)led& (ut honest #ace& and loo)ed trou(led. 9he dusted

the onl% chair in the cottage& and "laced it #or him (% the side o# the #ire& o""osite the one!indo!& !hence he sa! a little "atch o# %ello! sand o$er !hich the s"ent !a$es s"readthemsel$es out listlessl%. =nder this !indo! there !as a (ench& u"on !hich the daughter thre!hersel# in an unusual "osture& resting her chin u"on her hand. A moment a#ter& the %outh caughtthe #irst glim"se o# her (lue e%es. The% !ere #i2ed u"on him !ith a strange loo) o# greed&amounting to cra$ing& (ut& as i# a!are that the% (elied or (etra%ed her& she dro""ed theminstantl%. The moment she $eiled them& her #ace& not!ithstanding its colourless com"le2ion& !asalmost (eauti#ul.

/hen the #ish !as read%& the old !oman !i"ed the deal ta(le& steadied it u"on the une$en #loor&and co$ered it !ith a "iece o# #ine ta(lelinen. 9he then laid the #ish on a !ooden "latter& andin$ited the guest to hel" himsel#. 9eeing no other "ro$ision& he "ulled #rom his "oc)et a hunting)ni#e& and di$ided a "ortion #rom the #ish& o##ering it to the mother #irst.

-Come& m% lam(&- said the old !oman+ and the daughter a""roached the ta(le. 'ut her nostrilsand mouth ,ui$ered !ith disgust.

The ne2t moment she turned and hurried #rom the hut.

-9he doesn4t li)e #ish&- said the old !oman& -and I ha$en4t an%thing else to gi$e her.-

-9he does not seem in good health&- he re?oined.

The !oman ans!ered onl% !ith a sigh& and the% ate their #ish !ith the hel" o# a little r%e (read.As the% #inished their su""er& the %outh heard the sound as o# the "attering o# a dog4s #eet u"onthe sand close to the door+ (ut ere he had time to loo) out o# the !indo!& the door o"ened& andthe %oung !oman entered. 9he loo)ed (etter& "erha"s #rom ha$ing ?ust !ashed her #ace. 9hedre! a stool to the corner o# the #ire o""osite him. 'ut as she sat do!n& to his (e!ilderment& ande$en horror& the student s"ied a single dro" o# (lood on her !hite s)in !ithin her torn dress. The



!oman (rought out a ?ar o# !his)%& "ut a rust% old )ettle on the #ire& and too) her "lace in #ronto# it. As soon as the !ater (oiled& she "roceeded to ma)e some todd% in a !ooden (o!l.

Meantime the %outh could not ta)e his e%es o## the %oung !oman& so that at length he #oundhimsel# #ascinated& or rather (e!itched. 9he )e"t her e%es #or the most "art $eiled !ith the

lo$eliest e%elids #ringed !ith dar)est lashes& and he ga5ed entranced+ #or the red glo! o# the littleoillam" co$ered all the strangeness o# her com"le2ion. 'ut as soon as he met a stolen glance outo# those e%es un$eiled& his soul shuddered !ithin him. ;o$el% #ace and cra$ing e%es alternated#ascination and re"ulsion.

The mother "laced the (o!l in his hands. *e dran) s"aringl%& and "assed it to the girl. 9he li#tedit to her li"s& and as she tastedonl% tasted itloo)ed at him. *e thought the drin) must ha$e (een drugged and ha$e a##ected his (rain. *er hair smoothed itsel# (ac)& and dre! her #orehead (ac)!ards !ith it+ !hile the lo!er "art o# her #ace "ro?ected to!ards the (o!l& re$ealing& ere shesi""ed& her da55ling teeth in strange "rominence. 'ut the same moment the $ision $anished+ shereturned the $essel to her mother& and rising& hurried out o# the cottage.

Then the old !oman "ointed to a (ed o# heather in one corner !ith a murmured a"olog%+ and thestudent& !earied (oth !ith the #atigues o# the da% and the strangeness o# the night& thre! himsel#u"on it& !ra""ed in his cloa). The moment he la% do!n& the storm (egan a#resh& and the !ind (le! so )eenl% through the crannies o# the hut& that it !as onl% (% dra!ing his cloa) o$er hishead that he could "rotect himsel# #rom its currents. =na(le to slee"& he la% listening to theu"roar !hich gre! in $iolence& till the s"ra% !as dashing against the !indo!. At length the dooro"ened& and the %oung !oman came in& made u" the #ire& dre! the (ench (e#ore it& and la% do!nin the same strange "osture& !ith her chin "ro""ed on her hand and el(o!& and her #ace turnedto!ards the %outh. *e mo$ed a little+ she dro""ed her head& and la% on her #ace& !ith her armscrossed (eneath her #orehead. The mother had disa""eared.

Dro!siness cre"t o$er him. A mo$ement o# the (ench roused him& and he #ancied he sa! some#our#ooted creature as tall as a large dog trot ,uietl% out o# the door. *e !as sure he #elt a rusho# cold !ind. Ga5ing #i2edl% through the dar)ness& he thought he sa! the e%es o# the damselencountering his& (ut a glo! #rom the #alling together o# the remnants o# the #ire re$ealed clearl%enough that the (ench !as $acant. /ondering !hat could ha$e made her go out in such a storm&he #ell #ast aslee".

In the middle o# the night he #elt a "ain in his shoulder& came (road a!a)e& and sa! the gleaminge%es and grinning teeth o# some animal close to his #ace. Its cla!s !ere in his shoulder& and itsmouth in the act o# see)ing his throat. 'e#ore it had #i2ed its #angs& ho!e$er& he had its throat inone hand& and sought his )ni#e !ith the other. A terri(le struggle #ollo!ed+ (ut regardless o# thetearing cla!s& he #ound and o"ened his )ni#e. *e had made one #utile sta(& and !as dra!ing it#or a surer& !hen& !ith a s"ring o# the !hole (od%& and one !ildl% contorted e##ort& the creaturet!isted its nec) #rom his hold& and !ith something (et!i2t a scream and a ho!l& darted #romhim. Again he heard the door o"en+ again the !ind (le! in u"on him& and it continued (lo!ing+ asheet o# s"ra% dashed across the #loor& and o$er his #ace. *e s"rung #rom his couch and (oundedto the door.



It !as a !ild nightdar)& (ut #or the #lash o# !hiteness #rom the !a$es as the% (ro)e !ithin a#e! %ards o# the cottage+ the !ind !as ra$ing& and the rain "ouring do!n the air. A gruesomesound as o# mingled !ee"ing and ho!ling came #rom some!here in the dar). *e turned againinto the hut and closed the door& (ut could #ind no !a% o# securing it.

The lam" !as nearl% out& and he could not (e certain !hether the #orm o# the %oung !oman !asu"on the (ench or not. $ercoming a strong re"ugnance& he a""roached it& and "ut out hishandsthere !as nothing there. *e sat do!n and !aited #or the da%light: he dared not slee" an%more.

/hen the da% da!ned at length& he !ent out %et again& and loo)ed around. The morning !as dimand gust% and gra%. The !ind had #allen& (ut the !a$es !ere tossing !ildl%. *e !andered u" anddo!n the little strand& longing #or more light.

At length he heard a mo$ement in the cottage. '% and (% the $oice o# the old !oman called tohim #rom the door.

-Bou4re u" earl%& sir. I dou(t %ou didn4t slee" !ell.-

->ot $er% !ell&- he ans!ered. -'ut !here is %our daughter-

-9he4s not a!a)e %et&- said the mother. -I4m a#raid I ha$e (ut a "oor (rea)#ast #or %ou. 'ut %ou4llta)e a dram and a (it o# #ish. It4s all I4$e got.-

=n!illing to hurt her& though hardl% in good a""etite& he sat do!n at the ta(le. /hile the% !ereeating& the daughter came in& (ut turned her #ace a!a% and !ent to the #arther end o# the hut./hen she came #or!ard a#ter a minute or t!o& the %outh sa! that her hair !as drenched& and her#ace !hiter than (e#ore. 9he loo)ed ill and #aint& and !hen she raised her e%es& all their#ierceness had $anished& and sadness had ta)en its "lace. *er nec) !as no! co$ered !ith acotton hand)erchie#. 9he !as modestl% attenti$e to him& and no longer shunned his ga5e. *e !asgraduall% %ielding to the tem"tation o# (ra$ing another night in the hut& and seeing !hat !ould#ollo!& !hen the old !oman s"o)e.

-The !eather !ill (e (ro)en all da%& sir&- she said. -Bou had (etter (e going& or %our #riends !illlea$e !ithout %ou.-

re he could ans!er& he sa! such a (eseeching glance on the #ace o# the girl& that he hesitated&con#used. Glancing at the mother& he sa! the #lash o# !rath in her #ace. 9he rose and a""roachedher daughter& !ith her hand li#ted to stri)e her. The %oung !oman stoo"ed her head !ith a cr%.*e darted round the ta(le to inter"ose (et!een them. 'ut the mother had caught hold o# her+ thehand)erchie# had #allen #rom her nec)+ and the %outh sa! #i$e (lue (ruises on her lo$el% throatthe mar)s o# the #our #ingers and the thum( o# a le#t hand. /ith a cr% o# horror he darted #romthe house& (ut as he reached the door he turned. *is hostess !as l%ing motionless on the #loor&and a huge gra% !ol# came (ounding a#ter him.



There !as no !ea"on at hand+ and i# there had (een& his in(orn chi$alr% !ould ne$er ha$eallo!ed him to harm a !oman e$en under the guise o# a !ol#. Instincti$el%& he set himsel# #irm&leaning a little #or!ard& !ith hal# outstretched arms& and hands cur$ed read% to clutch again atthe throat u"on !hich he had le#t those "iti#ul mar)s. 'ut the creature as she s"rung eluded hisgras"& and ?ust as he e2"ected to #eel her #angs& he #ound a !oman !ee"ing on his (osom& !ith

her arms around his nec). The ne2t instant& the gra% !ol# (ro)e #rom him& and (ounded ho!lingu" the cli##. eco$ering himsel# as he (est might& the %outh #ollo!ed& #or it !as the onl% !a% tothe moor a(o$e& across !hich he must no! ma)e his !a% to #ind his com"anions.

All at once he heard the sound o# a crunching o# (onesnot as i# a creature !as eating them& (utas i# the% !ere ground (% the teeth o# rage and disa""ointment+ loo)ing u"& he sa! close a(o$ehim the mouth o# the little ca$ern in !hich he had ta)en re#uge the da% (e#ore. 9ummoning allhis resolution& he "assed it slo!l% and so#tl%. From !ithin came the sounds o# a mingledmoaning and gro!ling.

*a$ing reached the to"& he ran at #ull s"eed #or some distance across the moor (e#ore $enturing

to loo) (ehind him. /hen at length he did so& he sa!& against the s)%& the girl standing on theedge o# the cli##& !ringing her hands. ne solitar% !ail crossed the s"ace (et!een. 9he made noattem"t to #ollo! him& and he reached the o""osite shore in sa#et%.

The 'ro)en 9!ords

The e%es o# three& t!o sisters and a (rother& ga5ed #or the last time on a great "alegolden star&that #ollo!ed the sun do!n the stee" !est. It !ent do!n to arise again+ and the (rother a(out tode"art might return& (ut more than the usual dou(t hung u"on his #uture. For (et!een the !hitedresses o# the sisters& shone his scarlet coat and golden s!ord)not& !hich he had "ut on #or the#irst time& more to grati#% their "ride than his o!n $anit%. The (rightening moon& as i# "ro"hetico# a #uture memor%& had alread% (egun to dim the scarlet and the gold& and to gi$e them a "ale&ghostl% hue. In her thought#ul light the !hole grou" seemed more li)e a meeting in the land o#shado!s& than a "arting in the su(stantial earth. 'ut !hich should (e called the land o#realitiesthe region !here a""earance& and s"ace& and time dri$e (et!een& and sto" the #lo!ingcurrents o# the soul4s s"eech or that region !here heart meets heart& and a""earance has (ecomethe sla$e to utterance& and s"ace and time are #orgotten

Through the ,uiet air came the #aro## rush o# !ater& and the near cr% o# the landrail. >o! andthen a chill% !ind (le! unheeded through the startled and ?ostling lea$es that shaded the i$%seat. lse& there !as calm e$er%!here& rendered %et dee"er and more intense (% the dus)%sorro! that #illed their hearts. For& #ar a!a%& hundreds o# miles (e%ond the hearing o# their ears&roared the great !arguns+ ne2t !ee) their (rother must sail !ith his regiment to ?oin the arm%+and tomorro! he must lea$e his home.

The sisters loo)ed on him tenderl%& !ith $ague #ears a(out his #ate. Bet little the% di$ined it. Thatthe #ace the% lo$ed might lie "ale and (lood%& in a hea" o# slain& !as the !orst image o# it thatarose (e#ore them+ (ut this& had the% seen the #uture& the% !ould& in ignorance o# the #urther



#uture& ha$e in#initel% "re#erred to that !hich a!aited him. And e$en !hile the% loo)ed on him& adim #eeling o# the unsuita(leness o# his lot #illed their minds. For& indeed& to all ?udgments itmust ha$e seemed unsuita(le that the home(o%& the lo$ed o# his mother& the "et o# his sisters&!ho !as ha""% !omanli)e as Coleridge sa%s& i# he "ossessed the signs o# lo$e& ha$ing ne$er%et sought #or its "roo#sthat he should (e sent amongst soldiers& to command and (e

commanded+ to )ill& or "erha"s to (e himsel# crushed out o# the #air earth in the u"roar that (rings (ac) #or the moment the reign o# >ight and Chaos. >o !onder that to his sisters it seemedstrange and sad. Bet such !as their o!n "osition in the (attle o# li#e& in !hich their #ather haddied !ith dou(t#ul con,uest& that !hen their old militar% uncle sent the (o% an ensign4scommission& the% did not dream o# re#using the onl% "ath o"en& as the% thought& to an honoura(le "ro#ession& e$en though it might lead to the trenchgra$e. The% heard it as the $oice o# destin%&!e"t& and %ielded.

I# the% had "ossessed a dee"er insight into his character& the% !ould ha$e disco$ered %et #urtherreason to dou(t the #itness o# the "ro#ession chosen #or him+ and i# the% had e$er seen him atschool& it is "ossi(le the dou(t o# #itness might ha$e strengthened into a certaint% o# incongruit%.

*is com"arati$e inacti$it% amongst his school#ello!s& though occasioned (% no dulness o#intellect& might ha$e suggested the necessit% o# a ,uiet li#e& i# inclination and li)ing had (een thear(iters in the choice. >or !as this inacti$it% the result o# de#ecti$e animal s"irits either& #orsometimes his mirth and (o%ish #rolic !ere un(ounded+ (ut it seemed to "roceed #rom an o$eracti$it% o# the in!ard li#e& a(sor(ing& and in some measure chec)ing& the out!ard mani#estation.*e had so much to do in his o!n hidden )ingdom& that he had not time to ta)e his "lace in the "olit% and stri#e o# the common!ealth around him. *ence& !hile other (o%s !ere acting& he !asthin)ing. In this "oint o# di##erence& he #elt )eenl% the su"eriorit% o# man% o# his com"anions+ #or another (o% !ould ha$e the o(stacle o$ercome& or the ad$ersar% su(dued& !hile he !asmeditating on the "ro"riet%& or on the means& o# e##ecting the desired end. *e en$ied their "rom"titude& !hile the% ne$er sa! reason to en$% his !isdom+ #or his conscience& tender and notstrong& #re,uentl% trans#ormed slo!ness o# determination into irresolution: !hile a delicac% o#the s%m"athetic ner$es tended to distract him #rom an% "redetermined course& (% the di$ersit% o#their $i(rations& res"onsi$e to in#luences #rom all ,uarters& and destructi$e to unit% o# "ur"ose.

# such a one& the 0a "riori0 ?udgment !ould (e& that he ought to (e le#t to meditate and gro!#or some time& (e#ore (eing called u"on to "roduce the #ruits o# action. 'ut add to these mentalconditions a $i$id imagination& and a high sense o# honour& nourished in childhood (% thereading o# the old )nightl% romances& and then "ut the %outh in a "osition in !hich action isim"erati$e& and %ou ha$e elements o# stri#e su##icient to reduce that #air )ingdom o# his to utteranarch% and madness. Bet so little& do !e )no! oursel$es& and so di##erent are the s%m(ols !ith!hich the imagination !or)s its alge(ra& #rom the realities !hich those s%m(ols re"resent& that as%et the %outh #elt no uneasiness& (ut contem"lated his ne! calling !ith a glad enthusiasm andsome $anit%+ #or all his "ros"ect la% in the glo! o# the scarlet and the gold. >or did thise2citement recei$e an% chec) till the da% (e#ore his de"arture& on !hich da% I ha$e introducedhim to m% readers& !hen& accidentl% ta)ing u" a ne!s"a"er o# a !ee) old& his e%e #ell on these!ords-0Alread% cr%ing !omen are to (e met in the streets0.- /ith this cloud a#ar on hishori5on& !hich& though no (igger than a man4s hand& %et cast a "erce"ti(le shado! o$er his mind&he de"arted ne2t morning. The coach carried him (e%ond the consecrated circle o# home la!s



and im"ulses& out into the great tumult& a(o$e !hich rises e$er and anon the cr% o# Cain& -Am Im% (rother4s )ee"er-

$er% traged% o# higher order& constructed in Christian times& !ill corres"ond more or less to thegrand drama o# the 'i(le+ !herein the #irst act o"ens !ith a (rilliant sunset $ision o# 3aradise& in

!hich childish sense and need are ser$ed !ith all the "ro#usion o# the indulgent nurse. 'ut theglor% #ades o## into gre% and (lac)& and night settles do!n u"on the heart !hich& rightl%uncontent !ith the childish& and not ha$ing %et learned the childli)e& see)s )no!ledge andmanhood as a thing denied (% the Ma)er& and %et to (e gained (% the creature+ so sets #orth aloneto clim( the hea$ens& and instead o# clim(ing& #alls into the a(%ss. Then #ollo!s the long dismalnight o# #e$erish e##orts and delirious $isions& or& it ma% (e& hel"less des"air+ till at length adee"er stratum o# the soul is hea$ed to the sur#ace+ and amid the #irst da!n o# morning& the %outhsa%s !ithin him& -I ha$e sinned against m% 0Ma)er0I !ill arise and go to m% 0Father0.- Moreor less& I sa%& !ill Christian traged% corres"ond to thisa #all and a rising again+ not a rising onl%& (ut a $ictor%+ not a $ictor% merel%& (ut a trium"h. 9uch& in its !a% and degree& is m% stor%. I ha$esho!n& in one "assing scene& the home "aradise+ no! I ha$e to sho! a scene o# a #ar di##ering

nature.

The %oung ensign !as l%ing in his tent& !ear%& (ut !a)e#ul. All da% long the cannon had (een (ello!ing against the !alls o# the cit%& !hich no! la% !ith !ide& ga"ing (reach& read% #or themorro!4s storm& (ut co$ered %et !ith the #riendl% dar)ness. *is regiment !as ordered to (eread% !ith the earliest da!n to march u" to the (reach. That da%& #or the #irst time& there had (een (lood on his s!ordthere the s!ord la%& a s"ot on the chased hilt still. *e had cut do!n oneo# the enem% in a s)irmish !ith a sall% "art% o# the (esieged and the loo) o# the man as he #ell&haunted him. *e #elt& #or the time& that he dared not "ra% to the Father& #or the (lood o# a (rotherhad rushed #orth at the stro)e o# his arm& and there !as one #e!er o# li$ing souls on the earth (ecause he li$ed thereon. And tomorro! he must lead a troo" o# men u" to that "oor disa(ledto!n& and turn them loose u"on it& not )no!ing !hat might #ollo! in the trium"h o# enraged and$ictorious #oes& !ho #or !ee)s had (een su(?ected& (% the constanc% o# the "lace& to the greatest "ri$ations. It !as true the general had issued his commands against all disorder and "illage+ (uti# the soldiers once %ielded to tem"tation& !hat might not (e done (e#ore the o##icers couldreclaim them@ All the !retched tales he had read o# the sac) o# cities rushed (ac) on his memor%.*e shuddered as he la%. Then his conscience (egan to s"ea)& and to as) !hat right he had to (ethere./as the !ar a ?ust one*e could not tell+ #or this !as a (ad time #or settling nice,uestions. 'ut there he !as& right or !rong& #ighting and shedding (lood on God4s earth& (eneathGod4s hea$en.

$er and o$er he turned the ,uestion in his mind+ again and again the s"outing (lood o# his #oe&and the deathloo) in his e%e& rose (e#ore him+ and the %outh !ho at school could ne$er #ight!ith a com"anion (ecause he !as not sure that he !as in the right& !as alone in the midst o#undou(ting men o# !ar& amongst !hom he !as dri$en hel"lessl% along& u"on the !a$es o# aterri(le necessit%. /hat !onder that in the midst o# these "er"le2ities his courage should #ailhim@ /hat !onder that the consciousness o# #ainting should increase the #aintness@ or that thedread o# #ear and its conse,uences should hasten and in$igorate its attac)s@ To cro!n all& !henhe dro""ed into a trou(led slum(er at length& he #ound himsel# hurried& as on a storm o# #ire&through the streets o# the ca"tured to!n& #rom all the !indo!s o# !hich loo)ed #orth #amiliar



#aces& old and %oung& (ut distorted #rom the memor% o# his (o%hood (% #ear and !ild des"air. none s"ot la% the (od% o# his #ather& !ith his #ace to the earth+ and he !o)e at the cr% o# horrorand rage that (urst #rom his o!n li"s& as he sa! the rough& (lood% hand o# a soldier t!isted in theloose hair o# his elder sister& and the %ounger #ainting in the arms o# a scoundrel (elonging to hiso!n regiment. *e sle"t no more. As the gre% morning (ro)e& the troo"s a""ointed #or the attac)

assem(led !ithout sound o# trum"et or drum& and !ere silentl% #ormed in #itting order. The%oung ensign !as in his "lace& !ear% and !retched a#ter his misera(le night. 'e#ore him he sa!a great& (roadshouldered lieutenant& !hose (ra!n% hand seemed almost too large #or his s!ordhilt& and in an% one o# !hose lim(s "la%ed more animal li#e than in the !hole (od% o# the "ale%outh. The #irmset li"s o# this o##icer& and the #ire o# his e%e& sho!ed a concentrated resolution&!hich& (% the contrast& increased the miser% o# the ensign& and seemed& as i# the strongera(sor(ed the !ea)er& to dra! out #rom him the last #i(res o# sel#"ossession: the sight o#unattaina(le determination& !hile it increased the #eeling o# the arduousness o# that !hichre,uired such determination& thre! him into the great gul# !hich la% (et!een him and it. In thisdisorder o# his ner$ous and mental condition& !ith a dou(ting conscience and a shrin)ing heart&is it an% !onder that the terrors !hich la% (e#ore him at the ga" in those (ristling !alls& should

dra! near& and& ma)ing sudden inroad u"on his soul& o$er!helm the go$ernment o# a !ill !ornout (% the tortures o# an unassured s"irit /hat share #ear contri(uted to unman him& it !asim"ossi(le #or him& in the dar)& con#used con#lict o# di##ering emotions& to determine+ (utdou(tless a natural shrin)ing #rom danger& there (eing no e2citement to deaden its in#luence& andno ho"e o# $ictor% to encourage to the struggle& seeing $ictor% !as dread#ul to him as de#eat& hadits "art in the sad result. Man% men !ho ha$e courage& are de"endent on ignorance and a lo!state o# the moral #eeling #or that courage+ and a #urther "rogress to!ards the de$elo"ment o# thehigher nature !ould& #or a time at least& entirel% o$erthro! it. >or could such loss o# courage (erightl% designated (% the name o# co!ardice. 'ut& alas@ the colonel ha""ened to #i2 his e%es u"onhim as he "assed along the #ile+ and this com"leted his con#usion. *e (etra%ed such e$idents%m"toms o# "ertur(ation& that that o##icer ordered him under arrest+ and the result !as& that&chie#l% #or the sa)e o# e2am"le to the arm%& he !as& u"on trial (% courtmartial& e2"elled #romthe ser$ice& and had his s!ord (ro)en o$er his head. Alas #or the delicate minded %outh@ Alas #orthe homedarling@

;ong a#ter& he #ound at the (ottom o# his chest the "ieces o# the (ro)en s!ord& and remem(eredthat& at the time& he had li#ted them #rom the ground and carried them a!a%. 'ut he could notrecall under !hat im"ulse he had done so. 3erha"s the agon% he su##ered& "assing the (ounds o#mortal endurance& had o"ened #or him a $ista into the eternal& and had sho!n him& i# not thein?ustice o# the sentence "assed u"on him& %et his #reedom #rom (lame& or& endo!ing him !ithdim "ro"hetic $ision& had gi$en him the assurance that some da% the stain !ould (e !i"ed #romhis soul& and lea$e him standing clear (e#ore the tri(unal o# his o!n honour. 9ome #eeling li)ethis& I sa%& ma% ha$e caused him& !ith a "assing gleam o# indignant "rotest& to li#t the #ragments#rom the earth& and carr% them a!a%+ e$en as the #riends o# a socalled traitor ma% (ear a!a% hismutilated (od% #rom the !heel. 'ut i# such !as the case& the $ision !as soon o$er!helmed and#orgotten in the succeeding anguish. *e could not see that& in merc% to his dou(ting s"irit& the,uestion !hich had agitated his mind almost to madness& and !hich no results o# the im"endingcon#lict could ha$e settled #or him& !as thus ,uietl% set aside #or the time+ nor that& "ain#ul as!as the dar)& dread#ul e2istence that he !as no! to "ass in sel#torment and moaning& it !ouldgo (%& and lea$e his s"irit clearer #ar& than i#& in his a""rehension& it had (een stained !ith #urther



(loodguiltiness& instead o# the loss o# honour. Bears a#ter& !hen he accidentall% learned that onthat $er% morning the !hole o# his com"an%& !ith "arts o# se$eral more& had& or e$er the% (eganto mount the (reach& (een (lo!n to "ieces (% the e2"losion o# a mine& he cried aloud in (itterness& -/ould God that m% #ear had not (een disco$ered (e#ore I reached that s"ot@- 'utsurel% it is (etter to "ass into the ne2t region o# li#e ha$ing rea"ed some assurance& some

#irmness o# character& determination o# e##ort& and consciousness o# the !orth o# li#e& in the "resent !orld+ so a""roaching the #uture steadil% and #aith#ull%& and i# in much dar)ness andignorance& %et not in the oscillations o# moral uncertaint%.

Close u"on the catastro"he #ollo!ed a tor"or& !hich lasted he did not )no! ho! long& and !hich!ra""ed in a thic) #og all the succeeding e$ents. For some time he can hardl% (e said to ha$ehad an% conscious histor%. *e a!o)e to li#e and torture !hen hal#!a% across the sea to!ards hisnati$e countr%& !here !as no home an% longer #or him. To this "oint& and no #arther& could histhoughts return in a#ter %ears. 'ut the miser% !hich he then endured is hardl% to (e understood&sa$e (% those o# li)e delicate tem"erament !ith himsel#. All da% long he sat silent in his ca(in+nor could an% e##ort o# the ca"tain& or others on (oard& induce him to go on dec) till night came

on& !hen& under the starlight& he $entured into the o"en air. The s)% soothed him then& he )ne!not ho!. For the #ace o# nature is the #ace o# God& and must (ear e2"ressions that can in#luence&though unconsciousl% to them& the most ignorant and ho"eless o# *is children. #ten did he!atch the clouds in ho"e o# a storm& his s"irit rising and #alling as the s)% dar)ened or cleared+he longed& in the necessar% sel#ishness o# such su##ering& #or a tumult o# !aters to s!allo! the$essel+ and onl% the recollection o# ho! man% li$es !ere in$ol$ed in its sa#et% (esides his o!n& "re$ented him #rom "ra%ing to God #or lightning and tem"est& (orne on !hich he might dash intothe ha$en o# the other !orld. ne night& #ollo!ing a sultr% calm da%& he thought that Merc% hadheard his unuttered "ra%er. The air and sea !ere intense dar)ness& till a light as intense #or onemoment annihilated it& and the succeeding dar)ness seemed shattered !ith the shar" re"orts o#the thunder that crac)ed !ithout re$er(eration. *e !ho had shrun) #rom (attle !ith his #ello!men& rushed to the mainmast& thre! himsel# on his )nees& and stretched #orth his arms ins"eechless energ% o# su""lication+ (ut the storm "assed a!a% o$erhead& and le#t him )neelingstill (% the unin?ured mast. At length the $essel reached her "ort. *e hurried on shore to (ur%himsel# in the most secret "lace he could #ind. 0ut o# sight0 !as his #irst& his onl% thought.eturn to his mother he !ould not& he could not+ and& indeed& his #riends ne$er learned his #ate&until it had carried him #ar (e%ond their reach.

For se$eral !ee)s he lur)ed a(out li)e a male#actor& in lo! lodginghouses in narro! streets o#the sea"ort to !hich the $essel had (orne him& heeding no one& and (ut little shoc)ed at thestrange societ% and con$ersation !ith !hich& though onl% in (odil% "resence& he had to mingle.These #ormed the su(?ects o# re#lection in a#ter times+ and he came to the conclusion that& thoughmuch e$il and much miser% e2ist& su##icient to mo$e "ra%ers and tears in those !ho lo$e their)ind& %et there is less o# (oth than those loo)ing do!n #rom a more ele$ated social "osition u"onthe !eltering hea" o# humanit%& are read% to imagine+ es"eciall% i# the% regard it li)e!ise #romthe "edestal o# sel#congratulation on !hich a meagre t%"e o# religion has ele$ated them. 'ut atlength his little stoc) o# mone% !as nearl% e2"ended& and there !as nothing that he could do& orlearn to do& in this sea"ort. *e #elt im"elled to see) manual la(our& "artl% (ecause he thought itmore li)el% he could o(tain that sort o# em"lo%ment& !ithout a re,uest #or re#erence as to his



character& !hich !ould lead to in,uir% a(out his "re$ious histor%+ and "artl%& "erha"s& #rom aninstincti$e #eeling that hard (odil% la(our !ould tend to lessen his in!ard su##ering.

*e le#t the to!n& there#ore& at night#all o# a ul% da%& carr%ing a little (undle o# linen& and theremains o# his mone%& some!hat augmented (% the sale o# $arious articles o# clothing and

con$enience& !hich his change o# li#e rendered su"er#luous and unsuita(le. *e directed hiscourse north!ards& tra$elling "rinci"all% (% nightso "ain#ull% did he shrin) #rom the ga5e e$eno# #oot#arers li)e himsel#+ and slee"ing during the da% in some hidden noo) o# !ood or thic)et&or under the shado! o# a great tree in a solitar% #ield. 9o #ine !as the season& that #or threesuccessi$e !ee)s he !as a(le to tra$el thus !ithout incon$enience& l%ing do!n !hen the sungre! hot in the #orenoon& and generall% !a)ing !hen the #irst #aint stars !ere hesitating in thegreat dar)ening hea$ens that co$ered and shielded him. For a(o$e e$er% cloud& a(o$e e$er%storm& rise u"& calm& clear& di$ine& the dee" in#inite s)ies+ the% em(race the tem"est e$en as thesunshine+ (% their "ermission it e2ists !ithin their (oundless "eace: there#ore it cannot hurt& andmust "ass a!a%& !hile there the% stand as e$er& domed u" eternall%& lasting& strong& and "ure.

9e$eral times he attem"ted to get agricultural em"lo%ment+ (ut the !hiteness o# his hands andthe tone o# his $oice not merel% suggested un#itness #or la(our& (ut generated sus"icion as to thecharacter o# one !ho had e$identl% dro""ed #rom a ran) so much higher& and !as see)ingadmittance !ithin the natural masonic (oundaries and secrets and "ri$ileges o# another.Disheartened some!hat& (ut ho"e#ul& he ?ourne%ed on. I sa% ho"e#ul+ #or the (lessed "o!er o#li#e in the uni$erse in #resh air and sunshine a(sor(ed (% acti$e e2ercise& in !inds& %ea in rain&though it #ell (ut seldom& had (egun to !or) its natural healing& soothing e##ect& u"on his "ertur(ed s"irit. And there !as room #or ho"e in his ne! endea$our. As his (odil% strengthincreased& and his health& considera(l% im"aired (% in!ard su##ering& im"ro$ed& the trou(le o# hissoul (ecame more endura(leand in some measure to endure is to con,uer and destro%. In "ro"ortion as the mind gro!s in the strength o# "atience& the distur(er o# its "eace sic)ens and#ades a!a%. At length& one da%& a !ido! lad% in a $illage through !hich his road led him& ga$ehim a da%4s !or) in her garden. *e la(oured hard and !ell& not!ithstanding his soon(listeredhands& recei$ed his !ages than)#ull%& and #ound a resting"lace #or the night on the lo! "art o# aha%stac) #rom !hich the u""er "ortion had (een cut a!a%. *ere he ate his su""er o# (read andcheese& "leased to ha$e #ound such com#orta(le ,uarters& and soon #ell #ast aslee".

/hen he a!o)e& the !hole hea$ens and earth seemed to gi$e a #ull denial to sin and sorro!. Thesun !as ?ust mounting o$er the hori5on& loo)ing u" the clear cloudmottled s)%. From millions o# !aterdro"s hanging on the (ending stal)s o# grass& s"ar)led his ra%s in $aried re#raction&trans#ormed here to a gorgeous (urning ru(%& there to an emerald& green as the grass& and %onderto a #lashing& sunn% to"a5. The chanting "riestlar) had gone u" #rom the lo! earth& as soon asthe hea$enl% light had (egun to en!ra" and illumine the #olds o# its ta(ernacle+ and had enteredthe high hea$ens !ith his o##ering& !hence& unseen& he no! dro""ed on the earth the s"rin)ledsounds o# his o$er#lo!ing (lessedness. The "oor %outh rose (ut to )neel& and cr%& #rom a (urstingheart& -*ast Thou not& Father& some care #or me Canst Thou not restore m% lost honour Canan%thing (e#all Th% children #or !hich Thou hast no hel" 9urel%& i# the #ace o# Th% !orld lienot& ?o% and not grie# is at the heart o# the uni$erse. Is there none #or me-



The highest "oetic #eeling o# !hich !e are no! conscious& s"rings not #rom the (eholding o# "er#ected (eaut%& (ut #rom the mute s%m"ath% !hich the creation !ith all its children mani#ests!ith us in the groaning and tra$ailing !hich loo) #or the sonshi". 'ecause o# our need andas"iration& the sno!dro" gi$es (irth in our hearts to a lo#tier s"iritual and "oetic #eeling& than therose most com"lete in #orm& colour& and odour. The rose is o# 3aradisethe sno!dro" is o# the

stri$ing& ho"ing& longing arth. 3erha"s our highest "oetr% is the e2"ression o# our as"irations inthe s%m"athetic #orms o# $isi(le nature. >or is this merel% a longing #or a restored 3aradise+ #ore$en in the ordinar% histor% o# men& no man or !oman that has #allen& can (e restored to the "osition #ormerl% held. 9uch must rise to a %et higher "lace& !hence the% can (ehold their #ormer standing #ar (eneath their #eet. The% must (e restored (% the attainment o# something (etter thanthe% e$er "ossessed (e#ore& or not at all. I# the la! (e a !eariness& !e must esca"e it (% ta)ingre#uge !ith the s"irit& #or not other!ise can !e #ul#il the la! than (% (eing a(o$e the la!. Toesca"e the o$erhanging roc)s o# 9inai& !e must clim( to its secret to".

-Is th% strait hori5on drear% Is th% #oolish #anc% chill

Change the #eet that ha$e gro!n !ear% For the !ings that ne$er !ill.-

Thus& li)e one o# the !andering )nights searching the !ide earth #or the 9angreal& did he !anderon& searching #or his lost honour& or rather #or that he counted gone #or e$er see)ingunconsciousl% #or the "eace o# mind !hich had de"arted #rom him& and ta)en !ith it& not the ?o%merel%& (ut almost the "ossi(ilit%& o# e2istence.

At last& !hen his little store !as all (ut e2hausted& he !as em"lo%ed (% a mar)et gardener& in theneigh(ourhood o# a large countr% to!n& to !or) in his garden& and sometimes ta)e his $egeta(lesto mar)et. /ith him he continued #or a #e! !ee)s& and !ished #or no change+ until& one da%dri$ing his cart through the to!n& he sa! a""roaching him an elderl% gentleman& !hom he )ne!at once& (% his gait and carriage& to (e a militar% man. >o! he had ne$er seen his uncle theretired o##icer& (ut it struc) him that this might (e he+ and under the t%rann% o# his "assion #orconcealment& he #ancied that& i# it !ere he& he might recognise him (% some #amil% li)enessnotconsidering the im"ro(a(ilit% o# his loo)ing at him. This #anc%& !ith the "ain#ul e##ect !hich thesight o# an o##icer& e$en in "lain clothes& had u"on him& recalling the torture o# that #right#ul da%&so o$ercame him& that he #ound himsel# at the other end o# an alle% (e#ore he recollected that hehad the horse and cart in charge. This increased his di##icult%+ #or no! he dared not return& lesthis in,uiries a#ter the $ehicle& i# the horse had stra%ed #rom the direct line& should attractattention& and cause interrogations !hich he !ould (e una(le to ans!er. The #atal !ant o# sel# "ossession seemed again to ruin him. *e #orsoo) the to!n (% the nearest !a%& struc) across thecountr% to another line o# road& and (e#ore he !as missed& !as miles a!a%& still in a northerl%direction.

'ut although he thus shunned the #ace o# man& es"eciall% o# an% one !ho reminded him o# the "ast& the loss o# his re"utation in their e%es !as not the cause o# his in!ard grie#. That !ouldha$e (een com"arati$el% "o!erless to distur( him& had he not lost his o!n res"ect. *e ,uailed (e#ore his o!n thoughts+ he !as dishonoured in his o!n e%es. *is "er"le2it% had not %et



su##icientl% cleared a!a% to allo! him to see the e2tenuating circumstances o# the case+ not tosa% the #act that the "eculiar mental condition in !hich he !as at the time& remo$ed the case,uite out o# the class o# ordinar% instances o# co!ardice. *e condemned himsel# more se$erel%than an% o# his ?udges !ould ha$e dared+ remem(ering that "ortion o# his mental sensations!hich had sa$oured o# #ear& and #orgetting the causes !hich had "roduced it. *e ?udged himsel#

a man stained !ith the #oulest (lot that could clea$e to a soldier4s name& a (lot !hich nothing (utdeath& not e$en death& could e##ace. 'ut& in!ardl% condemned and out!ardl% degraded& his dreado# recognition !as intense+ and #eeling that he !as in more danger o# (eing disco$ered !here the "o"ulation !as s"arser& he resol$ed to hide himsel# once more in the midst o# "o$ert%+ and& !iththis $ie!& #ound his !a% to one o# the largest o# the manu#acturing to!ns.

*e reached it during the stri)e o# a great "art o# the !or)men+ so that& though he #ound somedi##icult% in "rocuring em"lo%ment& as might (e e2"ected #rom his ignorance o# machinela(our&he %et !as sooner success#ul than he !ould other!ise ha$e (een. 3ossessed o# a natural a"titude#or mechanical o"erations& he soon (ecame a tolera(le !or)man+ and he #ound that his "re$iouseducation assisted to the #itting e2ecution o# those o"erations e$en !hich !ere most "urel%

mechanical.

*e #ound also& at #irst& that the unrela2ing attention re,uisite #or the mastering o# the man%niceties o# his !or)& o# necessit% dre! his mind some!hat #rom its (rooding o$er his mis#ortune&hitherto almost ceaseless. $er% no! and then& ho!e$er& a "ang !ould shoot suddenl% to hisheart& and turn his #ace "ale& e$en (e#ore his consciousness had time to in,uire !hat !as thematter. 9o (% degrees& as attention (ecame less necessar%& and the ner$omechanical action o# hiss%stem increased !ith use& his thoughts again returned to their old miser%. *e !ould !a)e atnight in his "oor room& !ith the #eeling that a ghostl% nightmare sat on his soul+ that a !antalossmisera(le& #ear#ul!as "resent+ that something o# his heart !as gone #rom him+ andthrough the dar)ness he !ould hear the sna" o# the (rea)ing s!ord& and lie #or a momento$er!helmed (eneath the assurance o# the incredi(le #act. Could it (e true that 0he0 !as aco!ard that 0his0 honour !as gone& and in its "lace a stain that 0he0 !as a thing #or menand!orse& #or !omento "oint the #inger at& laughing (itter laughter >e$er lo$er or hus(and couldha$e mourned !ith the same desolation o$er the de"arture o# the lo$ed+ the girl alone& !ee"ingscorching tears o$er 0her0 degradation& could resem(le him in his agon%& as he la% on his (ed&and !e"t and moaned.

*is su##erings had returned !ith the greater !eight& that he !as no longer u"held (% the -di$ineair- and the o"en hea$ens& !hose sunlight no! onl% reached him late in an a#ternoon& as he stoodat his loom& through !indo!s so coated !ith dust that the% loo)ed li)e #rosted glass+ sho!ing& asit "assed through the air to #all on the dirt% #loor& ho! the (reath o# li#e !as thic) !ith dust o#iron and !ood& and #ilms o# cotton+ amidst !hich his senses !ere no! too much dulled (%custom to detect the e2halations #rom greas% !heels and o$ertas)ed human)ind. >or could he#ind com#ort in the societ% o# his #ello!la(ourers. True& it !as a )ind o# com#ort to ha$e thosenear him !ho could not )no! o# his grie#+ (ut there !as so little in common (et!een them& thatan% interchange o# thought !as im"ossi(le. At least& so it seemed to him. Bet sometimes hislonging #or human com"anionshi" !ould dri$e him out o# his drear% room at night& and send him!andering through the lo!er "art o# the to!n& !here he !ould ga5e !ist#ull% on the misera(le



#aces that "assed him& as i# loo)ing #or some onesome angel& e$en thereto s"ea) good!ill tohis hungr% heart.

nce he entered one o# those gin"alaces& !hich& li)e the golden gates o# hell& entice themisera(le to !orse miser%& and seated himsel# close to a hal#ti"s%& goodnatured !retch& !ho

made room #or him on a (ench (% the !all. *e !as com#orted e$en (% this "ro2imit% to one !ho!ould not re"el him. 'ut soon the "aintings o# !arli)e actiono# )nights& and horses& andmight% deeds done !ith (attlea2e& and (roads!ord& !hich adorned the"anels all round& dro$ehim #orth e$en #rom this hea$en o# the damned+ %et not (e#ore the im"ious thought had arisen inhis heart& that the (rilliantl% "ainted and scul"tural roo#& !ith the gilded $inelea$es and (uncheso# gra"es trained u" the !indo!s& all lighted !ith the great shining chandeliers& !as onl% amicrocosmic re"etition o# the (right hea$ens and the glo!ing earth& that o$erhung andsurrounded the miser% o# man. 'ut the memor% o# ho! )indl% the% had com#orted and ele$atedhim& at one "eriod o# his "ain#ul histor%& not onl% (anished the !ic)ed thought& (ut (rought himmore ,uiet& in the resurrection o# a "ast (lessing& than he had )no!n #or some time. The "eriod&ho!e$er& !as no! at hand !hen a ne! grie#& #ollo!ed (% a ne! and more ele$ated acti$it%& !as

to do its "art to!ards the closing u" o# the #ountain o# (itterness.

Amongst his #ello!la(ourers& he had #or a short time ta)en some interest in o(ser$ing a %oung!oman& !ho had latel% ?oined them. There !as nothing remar)a(le a(out her& e2ce"t !hat at#irst sight seemed a remar)a(le "lainness. A slight scar o$er one o# her rather "rominente%e(ro!s& increased this im"ression o# "lainness. 'ut the #irst da% had not "assed& (e#ore he (egan to see that there !as something not altogether common in those dee" e%es+ and the "lainloo) $anished (e#ore a closer o(ser$ation& !hich also disco$ered& in the #orehead and the lines o# the mouth& traces o# sorro! or other su##ering. There !as an e2"ression& too& in the !hole #ace&o# #i2edness o# "ur"ose& !ithout an% hardness o# determination. *er countenance altogetherseemed the inde2 to an interesting mental histor%. 9igns o# mental trou(le !ere al!a%s anattraction to him+ in this case so great& that he o$ercame his sh%ness& and s"o)e to her onee$ening as the% le#t the !or)s. *e o#ten !al)ed home !ith her a#ter that+ as& indeed& !as natural&seeing that she occu"ied an attic in the same "oor lodginghouse in !hich he li$ed himsel#. Thestreet did not (ear the (est character+ nor& indeed& !ould the occu"ations o# all the inmates o# thehouse ha$e stood in$estigation+ (ut so retiring and ,uiet !as this girl& and so seldom did she goa(road a#ter !or) hours& that he had not disco$ered till then that she li$ed in the same street& notto sa% the same house !ith himsel#.

*e soon learned her histor%a $er% common one as out!ard e$ents& (ut not surel% insigni#icant (ecause common. *er #ather and mother !ere (oth dead& and hence she had to #ind herli$elihood alone& and amidst associations !hich !ere al!a%s disagreea(le& and sometimes "ain#ul. *er ,uic) !omanl% instinct must ha$e disco$ered that he too had a histor%+ #or though&his mental "rostration #a$ouring the o"eration o# out!ard in#luences& he had greatl%a""ro2imated in a""earance to those amongst !hom he la(oured& there !ere %et signs& (esidesthe educated accent o# his s"eech& !hich !ould ha$e distinguished him to an o(ser$er+ (ut she "ut no ,uestions to him& nor made an% a""roach to!ards see)ing a return o# the con#idence shere"osed in him. It !as a sensi(le alle$iation to his su##erings to hear her )ind $oice& and loo) inher gentle #ace& as the% !al)ed home together+ and at length the e2"ectation o# this "leasure



(egan to "resent itsel#& in the midst o# the (us%& drear% !or)hours& as the shado! o# a hea$en toclose u" the dismal& uninteresting da%.

'ut one morning he missed her #rom her "lace& and a )eener "ain "assed through him than hehad #elt o# late+ #or he )ne! that the 3lague !as a(road& #eeding in the lo! stagnant "laces o#

human a(ode+ and he had (ut too much reason to dread that she might (e no! struggling in itsgras". *e sei5ed the #irst o""ortunit% o# sli""ing out and hurr%ing home. *e s"rang u"stairs toher room. *e #ound the door loc)ed& (ut heard a #aint moaning !ithin. To a$oid distur(ing her&!hile determined to gain an entrance& he !ent do!n #or the )e% o# his o!n door& !ith !hich hesucceeded in unloc)ing hers& and so crossed her threshold #or the #irst time. There she la% on her (ed& tossing in "ain& and (eginning to (e delirious. Careless o# his o!n li#e& and #eeling that hecould not die (etter than in hel"ing the onl% #riend he had+ certain& li)e!ise& o# the di##icult% o##inding a nurse #or one in this disease and o# her station in li#e+ and sure& li)e!ise& that therecould (e no ,uestion o# "ro"riet%& either in the circumstances !ith !hich the% !ere surrounded&nor in this case o# terri(le #e$er almost as ho"eless #or her as dangerous to him& he instantl% (egan the duties o# a nurse& and returned no more to his em"lo%ment. *e had a little mone% in

his "ossession& #or he could not& in the !a% in !hich he li$ed& s"end all his !ages+ so he "roceeded to ma)e her as com#orta(le as he could& !ith all the "entu" tenderness o# a lo$ingheart #inding an outlet at length. /hen a (o% at home& he had o#ten ta)en the "lace o# nurse& andhe #elt ,uite ca"a(le o# "er#orming its duties. >or !as his (o%hood #ar (ehind %et& although thetrials he had come through made it a""ear an age since he had lost his light heart. 9o he ne$erle#t her (edside& e2ce"t to "rocure !hat !as necessar% #or her. 9he !as too ill to o""ose an% o#his measures& or to see) to "rohi(it his "resence. Indeed& (% the time he had returned !ith the#irst medicine& she !as insensi(le+ and she continued so through the !hole o# the #ollo!ing!ee)& during !hich time he !as constantl% !ith her.

That action "roduces #eeling is as o#ten true as its con$erse+ and it is not sur"rising that& !hile hesmoothed the "illo! #or her head& he should ha$e made a nest in his heart #or the hel"less girl.9lo!l% and unconsciousl% he learned to lo$e her. The chasm (et!een his earl% associations andthe circumstances in !hich he #ound her& $anished as he dre! near to the sim"le& essential!omanhood. *is heart sa! hers and lo$ed it+ and he )ne! that& the centre once gained& he could&as #rom the #ountain o# li#e& as #rom the innermost secret o# the hol% "lace& the hidden germ o# "o!er and "ossi(ilit%& trans#orm the outer intellect and outermost manners as he "leased. /ith!hat a thrill o# ?o%& a #eeling #or a long time un)no!n to him& and till no! ne$er )no!n in this#orm or !ith this intensit%& the thought arose in his heart that here la% one !ho some da% !ouldlo$e him+ that he should ha$e a "lace o# re#uge and rest+ one to lie in his (osom and not des"isehim@ -For&- said he to himsel#& -I !ill call #orth her soul #rom !here it slee"s& li)e anuna!a)ened echo& in an un)no!n ca$e+ and li)e a child& o# !hom I once dreamed& that !asmine& and to m% delight turned in #ear #rom all (esides& and clung to me& this soul o# hers !ill run!ith (e!ildered& hal#slee"ing e%es& and tottering ste"s& (ut !ith a cr% o# ?o% on its li"s& to me asthe li#egi$er. 9he !ill cling to me and !orshi" me. Then !ill I tell her& #or she must )no! all&that I am lo! and contem"ti(le+ that I am an outcast #rom the !orld& and that i# she recei$e me&she !ill (e to me as God. And I !ill #all do!n at her #eet and "ra% her #or com#ort& #or li#e& #orrestoration to m%sel#+ and she !ill thro! hersel# (eside me& and !ee" and lo$e me& I )no!. And!e !ill go through li#e together& !or)ing hard& (ut #or each other+ and !hen !e die& she shalllead me into "aradise as the "ri5e her angelhand #ound cast on a desert shore& #rom the storm o#



!inds and !a$es !hich I !as too !ea) to resistand raised& and tended& and sa$ed.- #ten didsuch thoughts as these "ass through his mind !hile !atching (% her (ed+ alternated& chec)ed&and sometimes destro%ed& (% the #ears !hich attended her "recarious condition& (ut returning!ith e$er% a""arent (etterment or ho"e#ul s%m"tom.

I !ill not sto" to decide the nice ,uestion& ho! #ar the intention !as right& o# causing her to lo$ehim (e#ore she )ne! his stor%. I# in the !hole matter there !as too much thought o# sel#& m%onl% a"olog% is the se,uel. ne da%& the ninth #rom the commencement o# her illness& a letterarri$ed& addressed to her+ !hich he& thin)ing he might "re$ent some incon$enience there(%&o"ened and read& in the con#idence o# that lo$e !hich alread% made her and all (elonging to hera""ear his o!n. It !as #rom a soldier0her lo$er0. It !as "lain that the% had (een (etrothed (e#ore he le#t #or the continent a %ear ago+ (ut this !as the #irst letter !hich he had !ritten to her.It (reathed changeless lo$e& and ho"e& and con#idence in her. *e !as so #ascinated that he read itthrough !ithout "ause.

;a%ing it do!n& he sat "ale& motionless& almost inanimate. From the hard!on sunn% heights& he

!as once more cast do!n into the shado! o# death. The second storm o# his li#e (egan& ho!lingand raging& !ith %et more a!#ul lulls (et!een. -Is she not 0mine0- he said& in agon%. -Do I not#eel that she is mine /ho !ill !atch o$er her as I /ho !ill )iss her soul to li#e as I 9hall she (e torn a!a% #rom me& !hen m% soul seems to ha$e d!elt !ith hers #or e$er in an eternal house'ut ha$e I not a right to her *a$e I not gi$en m% li#e #or hers Is he not a soldier& and are therenot man% chances that he ma% ne$er return And it ma% (e that& although the% !ere engaged in!ord& soul has ne$er touched soul !ith them+ their lo$e has ne$er reached that "oint !here it "asses #rom the mortal to the immortal& the indissolu(le: and so& in a sense& she ma% (e %et #ree./ill he do #or her !hat I !ill do 9hall this "recious heart o# hers& in !hich I see the (uds o# soman% (eauties& (e le#t to !ither and die-

'ut here the $oice !ithin him cried out& -Art thou the dis"oser o# destinies /ilt thou& in auni$erse !here the $isi(le God hath died #or the Truth4s sa)e& do e$il that a good& !hich *emight neglect or o$erloo)& ma% (e gained ;ea$e thou her to *im& and do thou right.- And hesaid !ithin himsel#& ->o! is the real trial #or m% li#e@ 9hall I con,uer or no- And his hearta!o)e and cried& -I !ill. God #orgi$e me #or !ronging the "oor soldier@ A (ra$e man& (ra$e atleast& is (etter #or her than I.-

A great strength arose !ithin him& and li#ted him u" to de"art. -9urel% I ma% )iss her once&- hesaid. For the crisis !as o$er& and she sle"t. *e stoo"ed to!ards her #ace& (ut (e#ore he hadreached her li"s he sa! her e%elids trem(le+ and he !ho had longed #or the o"ening o# thosee%es& as o# the gates o# hea$en& that she might lo$e him& stric)en no! !ith #ear lest she shouldlo$e him& #led #rom her& (e#ore the e%elids that hid such stri#e and such $ictor% #rom theunconscious maiden had time to unclose. 'ut it !as agon%,uietl% to "ac) u" his (undle o#linen in the room (elo!& !hen he )ne! she !as l%ing a!a)e a(o$e& !ith her dear& "ale #ace& andli$ing e%es@ /hat remained o# his mone%& e2ce"t a #e! shillings& he "ut u" in a scra" o# "a"er&and !ent out !ith his (undle in his hand& #irst to see) a nurse #or his #riend& and then to go he)ne! not !hither. *e met the #actor% "eo"le !ith !hom he had !or)ed& going to dinner& andamongst them a girl !ho had hersel# (ut latel% reco$ered #rom the #e$er& and !as %et hardl% a(le#or !or). 9he !as the onl% #riend the sic) girl had seemed to ha$e amongst the !omen at the



#actor%& and she !as easil% "ersuaded to go and ta)e charge o# her. *e "ut the mone% in her hand& (egging her to use it #or the in$alid& and "romising to send the e,ui$alent o# her !ages #or thetime he thought she !ould ha$e to !ait on her. This he easil% did (% the sale o# a ring& !hich& (esides his mother4s !atch& !as the onl% article o# $alue he had retained. *e (egged her li)e!isenot to mention his name in the matter+ and !as #oolish enough to e2"ect that she !ould entirel%

)ee" the "romise she had made him.

/andering along the street& "ur"oseless no! and (ere#t& he s"ied a recruiting "art% at the door o#a "u(lichouse+ and on coming nearer& #ound& (% one o# those strange coincidences !hich dooccur in li#e& and !hich ha$e "ossi(l% their root in a hidden and !ondrous la!& that it !as a "art%& "erha"s a remnant& o# the $er% regiment in !hich he had himsel# ser$ed& and in !hich hismis#ortune had (e#allen him. Almost simultaneousl% !ith the shoc) !hich the sight o# the !ell)no!n num(er on the soldiers4 )na"sac)s ga$e him& arose in his mind the romantic& idealthought& o# enlisting in the ran)s o# this same regiment& and reco$ering& as a "ri$ate soldier andun)no!n& that honour !hich as o##icer he had lost. To this determination& the ne! necessit% in!hich he no! stood #or action and change o# li#e& dou(tless contri(uted& though unconsciousl%.

*e o##ered himsel# to the sergeant+ and& not!ithstanding that his dress indicated a mode o# li#eunsuita(le as the antecedent to a soldier4s& his a""earance& and the necessit% #or recruitscom(ined& led to his eas% acce"tance.

The nglish armies !ere em"lo%ed in e2"elling the enem% #rom an in$aded and hel"lesscountr%. /hate$er might (e the "olitical moti$es !hich had induced the Go$ernment to thismeasure& the %oung man !as no! a(le to #eel that he could go and #ight& indi$iduall% and #or his "art& in the cause o# li(ert%. *e !as #ree to "ossess his o!n moti$es #or ?oining in the e2ecutiono# the schemes o# those !ho commanded his commanders.

/ith a hea$% heart& (ut !ith more o# in!ard ho"e and strength than he had e$er )no!n (e#ore&he marched !ith his comrades to the sea"ort and em(ar)ed. It seemed to him that (ecause he haddone right in his last trial& here !as a ne! glorious chance held out to his hand. True& it !as aterri(le change to "ass #rom a !oman in !hom he had ho"ed to #ind healing& into the societ% o#rough men& to march !ith them& -0mitgleichem Tritt und 9chritt0&- u" to the (ristling (a%onetsor the horrid $acanc% o# the cannon mouth. 'ut it !as the onl% cure #or the e$il that consumedhis li#e.

*e reached the arm% in sa#et%& and ga$e himsel#& !ith religious assiduit%& to the smallest duties o# his ne! "osition. >o one had a (righter "olish on his arms& or !hiter (elts than he. In thenecessar% mo$ements& he soon (ecame "recise to a degree that attracted the attention o# hiso##icers+ !hile his character !as remar)a(le #or all the $irtues (elonging to a "er#ect soldier.

ne da%& as he stood sentr%& he sa! the e%es o# his colonel intentl% #i2ed on him. *e #elt his li",ui$er& (ut he com"ressed and stilled it& and tried to loo) as unconscious as he could+ !hiche##ort !as assisted (% the #ormal (earing re,uired (% his "osition. >o! the colonel& such had (een the losses o# the regiment& had (een "romoted #rom a lieutenanc% in the same& and had (elonged to it at the time o# the ensign4s degradation. Indeed& had not the changes in the regiment (een so great& he could hardl% ha$e esca"ed so long !ithout disco$er%. 'ut the "oor #ello!!ould ha$e #elt that his name !as alread% #ree o# re"roach& i# he had seen !hat #ollo!ed on the



close ins"ection !hich had a!a)ened his a""rehensions& and !hich& in #act& had con$inced thecolonel o# his identit% !ith the disgraced ensign. /ith a hast% and less soldierl% ste" than usualthe colonel entered his tent& thre! himsel# on his (ed and !e"t li)e a child. /hen he rose he !aso$erheard to sa% these !ordsand these onl% esca"ed his li"s: -*e is no(ler than I.-

'ut this o##icer sho!ed himsel# !orth% o# commanding such men as this "ri$ate+ #or right no(l%did he understand and meet his #eelings. *e uttered no !ord o# the disco$er% he had made& till%ears a#ter!ards+ (ut it soon (egan to (e remar)ed that !hene$er an%thing arduous& or in an%manner distinguished& had to (e done& this man !as sure to (e o# the "art% a""ointed. In short& aso#ten as he could& the colonel -set him in the #ore#ront o# the (attle.- 3assing through all !ith!onder#ul esca"e& he !as soon as much noticed #or his rec)less (ra$er%& as hitherto #or his "recision in the discharge o# duties (ringing onl% commendation and not honour. 'ut his #inallustration !as at hand.

A great "art o# the arm% !as hastening& (% #orced marches& to raise the siege o# a to!n !hich!as alread% on the "oint o# #alling into the hands o# the enem%. Forming one o# a reconnoitring

"art%& !hich "receded the main (od% at some considera(le distance& he and his com"anions camesuddenl% u"on one o# the enem%4s out"osts& occu"%ing a high& and on one side "reci"itous roc)& ashort !a% #rom the to!n& !hich it commanded. etreat !as im"ossi(le& #or the% !ere alread%disco$ered& and the (ullets !ere #alling amongst them li)e the #irst o# a hailstorm. The onl% "ossi(ilit% o# esca"e remaining #or them !as a nearl% ho"eless im"ro(a(ilit%. It la% in #orcing the "ost on this stee" roc)+ !hich i# the% could do (e#ore assistance came to the enem%& the% might& "erha"s& (e a(le to hold out& (% means o# its de#ences& till the arri$al o# the arm%. Their "osition!as at once understood (% all+ and& (% a sudden& simultaneous im"ulse& the% #ound themsel$eshal#!a% u" the stee" ascent& and in the struggle o# a close con#lict& !ithout (eing a!are o# an%order to that e##ect #rom their o##icer. 'ut their courage !as o# no a$ail+ the ad$antages o# the "lace !ere too great+ and in a #e! minutes the !hole "art% !as cut to "ieces& or stretchedhel"less on the roc). ur %outh had #allen amongst the #oremost+ #or a mus)et (all had gra5ed hiss)ull& and laid him insensi(le.

'ut consciousness slo!l% returned& and he succeeded at last in raising himsel# and loo)ingaround him. The "lace !as deserted. A #e! o# his #riends& ali$e& (ut grie$ousl% !ounded& la%near him. The rest !ere dead. It a""eared that& learning the "ro2imit% o# the nglish #orces #romthis rencontre !ith "art o# their ad$anced guard& and dreading lest the to!n& !hich !as on the "oint o# surrendering& should a#ter all (e snatched #rom their gras"& the commander o# theenem%4s #orces had ordered an immediate and general assault+ and had #or this "ur"ose recalled#rom their out"osts the !hole o# his troo"s thus stationed& that he might ma)e the attem"t !iththe utmost strength he could accumulate.

As the %outh4s "o!er o# $ision returned& he "ercei$ed& #rom the height !here he la%& that theto!n !as alread% in the hands o# the enem%. 'ut loo)ing do!n into the le$el s"ace immediatel% (elo! him& he started to his #eet at once+ #or a girl& (areheaded& !as #leeing to!ards the roc)& "ursued (% se$eral soldiers. -Aha@- said he& di$ining her "ur"osethe soldiers (ehind and theroc) (e#ore her-I !ill hel" %ou to die@- And he stoo"ed and !renched #rom the dead #ingers o#a sergeant the s!ord !hich the% clenched (% the (lood% hilt. A ne! thro( o# li#e "ulsed throughhim to his $er% #ingerti"s+ and on the (rin) o# the unseen !orld he stood& !ith the (lood rushing



through his $eins in a !ild dance o# e2citement. ne !ho la% near him !ounded& (ut reco$ereda#ter!ards& said that he loo)ed li)e one ins"ired. /ith a )een e%e he !atched the chase. The girldre! nigh+ and rushed u" the "ath near !hich he !as standing. Close on her #ootste"s came thesoldiers& the distance graduall% lessening (et!een them.

>ot man% "aces higher u"& !as a narro!er "art o# the ascent& !here the "ath !as con#ined (%great stones& or "ieces o# roc). *ere had (een the chie# de#ence in the "receding assault& and in itla% man% (odies o# his #riends. Thither he !ent and too) his stand.

n the girl came& o$er the dead& !ith rigid hands and #l%ing #eet& the (loodless s)in dra!n tighton her #eatures& and her e%es a!#ull% large and !ild. 9he did not see him though she (ounded "ast so near that her hair #le! in his e%es. ->e$er mind@- said he& -!e shall meet soon.- And heste""ed into the narro! "ath ?ust in time to #ace her "ursuers(et!een her and them. ;i)e thered lightning the (lood% s!ord #ell& and a man (eneath it. Cling@ clang@ !ent the echoes in theroc)sand another man !as do!n+ #or& in his e2citement& he !as a destro%ing angel to the (reathless "ursuers. *is stature rose& his chest dilated+ and as the third #oe #ell dead& the girl !as

sa#e+ #or her (od% la% a (ro)en& em"t%& (ut undesecrated tem"le& at the #oot o# the roc). Thatmoment his s!ord #le! in shi$ers #rom his gras". The ne2t instant he #ell& "ierced to the heart+and his s"irit rose trium"hant& #ree& strong& and calm& a(o$e the storm% !orld& !hich at lengthla% $an,uished (eneath him.

The 'utcher4s 'ills

C*A3T I.

*=9'A>D A>D /IF.

I am going to tell a stor% o# married li#e. M% title !ill "re"are the reader #or something hardl%heroic+ (ut I trust it !ill not (e #ound lac)ing in the one genuine and !orth% interest a tale oughtto ha$enamel%& that it "resents a door through !hich !e ma% !al) into one region or another o# the human heart& and there #ind oursel$es not altogether unac,uainted or #rom home.

There !as a la! among the e!s !hich #or(ade the %o)ing together o# certain animals& either (ecause& (eing une,ual in si5e or strength& one o# them must (e o""ressed& or #or the sa)e o#some lesson thus em(odied to the astern mind"ossi(l% #or (oth reasons. *al# the traged%!ould (e ta)en out o# social li#e i# this la! could (e a""lied to human (eings in their $ariousrelations. I do not sa% that this !ould (e !ell& or that !e could a##ord to lose the result o# thetraged% thus occasioned. >either do I (elie$e that there are so man% instances o# une,ual %o)ingas the mis"rising ?udgments o# men (% men and !omen (% !omen might lead us to imagine. >ote$er% one declared (% the !isdom o# ac,uaintance to ha$e thro!n himsel# or hersel# a!a% mustthere#ore (e set do!n as une,uall% %o)ed. r it ma% e$en (e that the ine,ualit% is there& (ut theloss on the other side. *o! some "eo"le could e$er ha$e come together must al!a%s (e a "u55leuntil one )no!s the histor% o# the a##air+ (ut not a #e! !hom most o# us !ould ?udge ,uiteunsuited to each other do %et get on "rett% !ell #rom& the #irst& and (etter and (etter the longer



the% are together& and that !ith mutual ad$antage& im"ro$ement& and de$elo"ment. ssentialhumanit% is dee"er than the accidents o# indi$idualit%+ the common is more "o!er#ul than the "eculiar+ and the honest heart !ill al!a%s (e learning to act more and more in accordance !iththe la!s o# its (eing. It must (e o# much more conse,uence to an% lad% that her hus(and should (e a man on !hose !ord she can de"end than that he should (e o# a gracious "resence. 'ut i#

instead o# coming nearer to a true understanding o# each other& the t!o should #rom the #irst )ee"#alling asunder& then something tragic ma% almost (e loo)ed #or.

Duncan and ;uc% Dem"ster !ere a cou"le the $er% mention o# !hose Christian names together!ould ha$e seemed amusing to the #riends !ho had long ceased to tal) o# their un#itness. Indeed&I dou(t i# in their innermost "ri$ac% the% e$er addressed each other e2ce"t as Mr. and Mrs.Dem"ster. For the #irst time to see them together& no one could hel" !ondering ho! thecon?unction could ha$e (een e##ected. Dem"ster !as o# 9cotch descent& (ut the hereditar% highchee)(one seemed to ha$e got into his nose& !hich !as too hea$% a "endant #or the lo!#orehead #rom !hich it hung. A(out an inch #rom the end it too) a s!i#t and une2"ected cur$edo!n!ards& and !as a curious and a(normal nose& !hich could not "ro"erl% (e assorted !ith

an% )no!n class o# noses. A long u""er li"& a large& #irm& and not ,uite ugl% mouth& !ith a chin (oth long and s,uare& com"leted a #ace !hich& !ith its lo! #orehead& (eing %et longer than usual&had a "articularl% e,uine loo). *e !as rather under the middle height& slender& and !ell enoughmadealtogether an ordinar% mortal& )no!n on 4Change as an a(le& )een& and la(orious man o# (usiness. /hat his s"ecial (usiness !as I do not )no!. *e !ent to the cit% (% the eight o4cloc)omni(us e$er% morning& di$ed into a court& entered a little s,uare& rushed u" t!o #lights o# stairsto a cou"le o# rooms& and sat do!n in the (ac) one (e#ore an o##ice ta(le on a hairseated chair. It!as a ding% "lacenot so dirt% as it loo)ed& I daresa%. $en the !indo!s& (eing o# (ad glass& did&I (elie$e& loo) dirtier than the% !ere. It !as a "lace !here& so #ar as the e%e o# an outsider couldtell& much or nothing might (e doing. Its occu"ant al!a%s !ore his hat in it& and his hat al!a%sloo)ed sha((%. 9ome "eo"le said he !as rich& others that he !ould (e one da%. 9ome said he !asa res"onsi(le man& !hate$er the e"ithet ma% ha$e (een intended to mean. I (elie$e he !as ,uiteas honest as the recogni5ed la!s o# his trade demandedand #or ho! man% could I sa% more >o(od% said he !as a$aricious(ut then he mo$ed amongst men !hose $er% notion !as #irst toma)e mone%& a#ter that to (e religious& or to en?o% themsel$es& as the case might (e. And no oneeither e$er said o# him that he !as a good man& or a generous. *e !as a(out #ort% %ears o# age&loo)ing someho! as i# he had ne$er (een %ounger. *e had had a #air education(etter than isgenerall% considered necessar% #or mercantile "ur"oses(ut it !ould ha$e (een hard to disco$eran% signs o# it in the s"ending o# his leisure. n 9unda% mornings he !ent !ith his !i#e tochurch& and !hen he came home had a good dinner& o# !hich no! and then a #riend too) hisshare. I# no stranger !as "resent he too) his !ine (% himsel#& and !ent to slee" in his eas% chairo# maronecoloured leather& !hile his !i#e sat on the other side o# the #ire i# it !as !inter& or alittle !a% o## (% the o"en !indo! i# it !as summer& gentl% %a!ned no! and then& and loo)ed athim !ith e%es a little trou(led. Then he !ent o## again (% the eight o4cloc) omni(us on Monda%morning& and not an idea more or less had he in his head& not a hair4s(readth o# di##erence !asthere in his conduct or "ursuits& that he had (een to church and had s"ent the da% out o# (usiness.That ma%& ho!e$er& #or an%thing I )no!& ha$e (een as much the clerg%man4s #ault as his. *e !asthe sort o# man %ou might call machinemade& one in !hom humanit%& i# in no !ise caricatured&!as %et in no !ise enno(led.



*is !i#e !as ten %ears %ounger than hehardl% less than (eauti#ulonl% that o$er hercountenance seemed to ha$e gathered a )ind o# ha5e o# commonness. At #irst sight&not!ithstanding& one could not hel" "ercei$ing that she !as china and he !as del#t. 9he !asgrace#ul as she sat& longnec)ed& slo"eshouldered& and ,uite as tall as her hus(and& !ith amar)ed daintiness a(out her in the a(sence o# the e2tremes o# the #ashion& in the ,ualit% o# the

lace she !ore on her (lac) sil) dress& and in the !ide !hite slee$es o# #ine cam(ric that co$eredher arms #rom the shoulder to the !rist. 9he had a morall% delicate air& a loo) o# scru"ulousnicet% and la$enderstored linen. 9he had long dar) lashes+ and !hen the% rose& the e%elidsre$ealed e%es o# uncommon (eaut%. 9he had good #eatures& good teeth& and a good com"le2ion.The main #eeling she "roduced and le#t !as o# lad%hoodlittle more.

9unda% a#ternoon came #i#t%t!o times in the %ear. I mention this (ecause then al!a%s& andnearl% then onl%& could one calculate on seeing them together. It came to them in a sur(ur( o#;ondon& and the loo) o# it !as dull. Dou(tless Mr. Dem"ster4s dinner and his re"ose a#ter it !ereinteresting to him& (ut I cannot hel" thin)ing his !i#e #ound it drear%. 9he had& ho!e$er& got usedto it. The house !as a good old one& o# red (ric)& much larger than the% re,uired& (ut not

e2"ensi$e& and had a general loo) o# the re#inement o# its mistress. In the summer the !indo!so# the diningroom !ould generall% (e o"en& #or the% loo)ed into a reall% lo$el% garden (ehindthe house& and the scent o# the ?asmine that cre"t all around them !ould come in "lenti#ull%. I!onder !hat the scent o# ?asmine did in Duncan Dem"ster4s !orld. 3erha"s it ne$er got #artherthan the general antecham(er o# the sensorium. It o#ten made his !i#e sadshe could not tell!h%. To him I daresa% it smelt agreea(le& (ut I can hardl% (elie$e it e$er !o)e in him thatdream% sensation it ga$e hero# something she had not had enough o#& she could not sa% !hat./hen the heat !as gone o## a little he !ould !al) out on the la!n& !hich !as !ell )e"t and !ell!atered& !ith man% #lo!ering shru(s a(out it. /h% he did so& I cannot tell. *e loo)ed at nothingin "articular& onl% !al)ed a(out #or a #e! minutes& no dou(t deri$ed some "leasure o# a mildnature #rom something& and !al)ed in again to tea. ne might ha$e e2"ected he !ould ha$eculti$ated the ac,uaintance o# his garden a little& i# it !ere onl% #or the "leasure the contrast!ould gi$e him !hen he got (ac) to his lo$ed o##ice& #or a greater contrast could not !ell ha$e (een #ound than (et!een his ding% drear% haunt on !ee)da%sa "lace !hich nothing (ut dut%could ha$e made other than re"ugnant to an% #ree souland this nest o# greener% and light andodour. 9!eet scents #loated in clouds in$isi(le a(out the "lace+ #lo!er e%es and stars and (ellsand (unches shone and glo!ed and lur)ed all around+ his $er% #eet might ha$e learned a lessono# that !hich is (e%ond the sense #rom the tur# he trod+ (ut all the time& i# he !ere not e2actl%seeing in his mind4s e%e the !alls and ta(les o# his o##ice in the Cit% s,uare& his thoughts !erenot the less (rooding o$er such (usiness as he there transacted. For Mr. Dem"ster4s !as not a#ree soul. *o! could it (e !hen all his energies !ere gi$en to ma)ing mone% This he countedhis 0calling0and I (elie$e actuall% contri$ed to associate some #eeling o# dut% !ith the notiono# lea$ing (ehind him a "lum" round sum o# mone%& as i# mone% in accumulation and #ollo!ing#lood& instead o# mone% in "eace#ul current& !ere the good thing #or the !orld@ *ence the !holerealm o# real li#e& the uni$erse o# thought and gro!th& !as a highhedged "ar) to him& !ithin!hich he ne$er e$en tried to loo)not e$en )no!ing that he !as shut out #rom it& #or the hedge!as o# his o!n gro!ing. /hat shall e$er !a)e such a man to a sense o# ind!elling "o$ert%& orma)e him (egin to hunger a#ter an% lo!liest e2"ansion Does a reader retort& -The man !ascom#orta(le& and !h% should he (e trou(led- I# the end o# (eing& I ans!er& is onl% com#ort insel#& I %ield. 'ut !hat i# there should (e at the heart o# the uni$erse a Thought to !hich the (eing



o# such men is distaste#ul /hat i# to that Thought the% loo) (lots in light& ugl% things Ma%there not lie in that direction some "ossi(le reason !h% the% should (ethin) themsel$esDem"ster& ho!e$er& !as not %et a clin)er out o# !hich all the li#e !as (urned& ho!e$er much heloo)ed li)e one. There !as in him that !hich might %et (urnand gi$e light and heat.

n the 9unda% e$enings Mrs. Dem"ster !ould ha$e gladl% gone to church again& i# onl%thoughto hersel# she ne$er allo!ed this #or one o# her reasonsto sli" #rom under the !eight o# herhus(and4s "resence. *e seldom s"o)e to her more than a sentence at a time& (ut he did li)e toha$e her near him& and I su""ose held& through the (are "resence& some )ind o# dull onesidedcommunication !ith her+ !hat did a !oman )no! a(out (usiness and !hat did he )no! a(oute2ce"t (usiness It is true he had a rudimentar% "leasure in musicand !ould sometimes as) herto "la% to him& !hen he !ould listen& and a#ter his #ashion en?o%. 'ut although here !as a gi#tthat might (e de$elo"ed until his soul could echo the music o# the s"heres& the em(odied souls o# *andel or Mendelssohn !ere to him (ut clouds o# sound !ra""ed a(out )ernelslet me sa% o#stoc) or (onds.

For a %ear or so a#ter their marriage it had (een the custom that& the #irst thing a#ter (rea)#ast onMonda% morning& she should (ring him her account(oo)& that the% might together go o$er her!ee)4s e2"enses. 9he must culti$ate the (usiness ha(its in !hich& he said& he #ound her morethan de#icient. *o! could he endure in a !i#e !hat !ould ha$e (een "re"osterous in a cler)& and!ould ha$e led to his immediate dismissal It !as in his e%es necessar% that the same strictrecord o# recei"t and e2"enditure should (e )e"t in the household as in the o##ice+ ho! else !asone to )no! in !hat direction things !ere going he said. *e re,uired o# his !i#e& there#ore& thate$er% indi$idual thing that cost mone%& e$en to !hat she s"ent u"on her o!n "erson& should (eentered in her (oo). 9he had no mone% o# her o!n& neither did he allo! her an% s"ecial sum #orher "ri$ate needs+ (ut he made her a tolera(l% li(eral !ee)l% allo!ance& #rom !hich she had to "a% e$er%thing e2ce"t houserent and ta2es& an arrangement !hich I cannot (elie$e a good one&as it !ill ine$ita(l% lead some conscientious !i$es to sel#denial se$erer than necessar%& and onthe other hand !ill tem"t the $ulgar nature to ma)e a "urse #or hersel# (% mean sa$ings o##e$er%(od% else. It !as es"eciall% distaste#ul to Mrs. Dem"ster to ha$e to set do!n e$er% littlearticle o# "ersonal re,uirement that she (ought. It !ould "ro(a(l% ha$e seemed to her (ut a tri#lehad the% (oth (een %oung !hen the% married& and had there (een that tenderness o# lo$e (et!eenthem !hich so soon sets e$er%thing more than right+ (ut as it !as& she could ne$er get o$er the#eeling that the man !as strange to her. As it !as she !ould ha$e got o$er this. 'ut there !as inher a certain constitutional lac) o# "recision& com(ined !ith a !ant o# energ% and a !ea)ness o#!ill& that rendered her more than careless !here her li)ing !as not interested. *ence& !hile she!ould ha$e (een horri#ied at "la%ing a !rong note or singing out o# tune& she not onl% had noan2iet%& #or the thing4s o!n sa)e& to ha$e her accounts correct& (ut shrun) #rom e$er% e##ort inthat direction. >o! I can "er#ectl% understand her recoil #rom the !hole a##air& !ith her addeddisli)e to the smallness o# the thing re,uired o# her+ (ut seeing she did (egin !ith doing it a#ter a#ashion& it is not so eas% to understand !h%& doing it& she should not ma)e a consolation o# doingit !ith a(solute e2actness. >ot e$en her dread o# her hus(and4s dissatis#action!hich !as (% nomeans smallcould "re$ail to ma)e her& instead o# still trusting a memor% that constantl% "la%edher #alse& "ut do!n a thing at once& nor "ost"one it to a #ar less con$enient season. *ence it camethat her accounts& though ne$er much out& ne$er (alanced+ and the !ee)l% audit& !hile it gre!more and more ir)some to the one& gre! more and more unsatis#actor% to the other. For to Mr.



Dem"ster4s dust% e%es e2actitude !ore the ro(e o# rectitude& and (e#ore long& "recisel% andmerel% #rom the continued unsatis#actor% condition o# her accounts& he (egan& in a hidden cornero# his righteous soul& to re#lect on the moral condition o# his !i#e hersel# as unsatis#actor%. >o!such it certainl% !as& (ut he !as not the man to ?udge it correctl%& or to "ercei$e the truesigni#icance o# her #ailing. In (usiness& !hile scru"ulous as to the re,uirements o# custom and

recogni5ed right& he ne$ertheless did things #rom !hich her soul !ould ha$e recoiled li)e -thetender horns o# coc)led snails+- %et it !as to him not merel% a strange and ine2"lica(le #act thatshe should 0ne$er0 (e a(le to sho! to a "enn%& na%& o#ten not to a shilling or eighteen"ence& ho!the !ee)4s allo!ance !ent& (ut a "ain#ul one as indicating something (e%ond "er$ersit%. Andtrul% it !as no $er% hard tas) he re,uired o# her& #or& seeing the% had no children& onl% threeser$ants& and sa! little com"an%& her house)ee"ing could not (e a $er% hea$% or in$ol$ed a##air.3erha"s i# it had (een more di##icult she !ould ha$e done it (etter& (ut an%ho! she hated the!hole thing& "rocrastinated& and setting do!n se$eral things together& !as 0sure0 to #orget somearticle or mista)e some "rice+ %et not one atom more !ould she distrust her memor% the ne2ttime she !as tem"ted. 'ut it !as a small #ault at !orst& and i# her hus(and had lo$ed her enoughto understand the (earings o# it in relation to her mental and moral condition he !ould ha$e tried

to content himsel# that at least she did not e2ceed her allo!ance+ and !ould o# all things ha$ea$oided ma)ing such a matter a (urden u"on the consciousness o# one so di##erentl% educated& i#not constituted& #rom himsel#. It is (ut #air to add on the other side that& i# she had lo$ed him a#ter an%thing li)e a !i#el% ideal& !hich I con#ess !as not %et "ossi(le to her& it !ould not ha$e (eenman% !ee)s (e#ore she had a #irst correct account to sho! him. Con$inced& at length& thataccurac% !as not to (e had #rom her& and satis#%ing himsel# !ith dissatis#action& he one morningthre! #rom him the little ruled (oo)& and declared& in a !rath !hich he sought to smother intodigni#ied (ut ho"eless re(u)e& that he !ould trou(le himsel# !ith her no #urther. 9he (urst intotears& too) u" the (oo)& le#t the room& cried a little& resol$ed to astonish him the ne2t Monda%&and ne$er set do!n another item. /hen it came& and (rea)#ast !as o$er& he ga$e her the usualche,ue& and le#t at once #or to!n. >or had the accounts e$er again (een alluded to (et!een them.

>o! this might ha$e (een $er% !ell& or at least not $er% ill& i# (oth had done tolera(l% !elltherea#terthat is& i# the one had continued to attend to her e2"enditure as !ell as (e#ore& and theother& !hen he thre! a!a% the account(oo)& had dismissed #rom his mind the !hole matter. 'utDem"ster !as one o# those dangerous menmore dangerous& ho!e$er& to themsel$es than toothers!ho ne$er #orget& that is& get o$er& an o##ence or disa""ointment. The% res"ectthemsel$es so much& and& out o# their res"ect #or themsel$es& (uild so much u"on success& set soranch (% ne$er (eing de#eated (ut al!a%s gaining their "oint& that !hen the% are dri$en tocon#ess themsel$es #oiled& the con#ession is made #rom the -"oor dum( mouth- o# a !ound thatcannot (e healed. It is there #or e$er!ill (e there at least until the% #ind another God to !orshi"than their o!n "altr% sel$es. *ence it came that the (ourn (et!een the t!o s"iritual estates%a!ned a little !ider at one "oint& and a mist o# dissatis#action !ould not un#re,uentl% rise #roma certain stagnant "ool in its hollo!. The cause !as "altr% in one sense& (ut nothing to !hich (elongs the name o# 0Cause0 can #ail to mingle the element o# a!#ulness e$en !ith its "altriness.Its !orst e##ect !as that it hindered a""ro2imation in other "arts o# their marching natures.

And as to Mrs. Dem"ster& I am sorr% #or the a""arent ?usti#ication !hich !hat I ha$e to con#essconcerning her must gi$e to the se$ere !hims o# such hus(ands as hers: #rom that $er% Monda%morning she (egan to gro! a little careless a(out her e2"enditure!hich she had ne$er (een



(e#ore. '% degrees (ill a#ter (ill !as allo!ed to #ilch #rom the "ro$ision o# the #ollo!ing !ee)&and !hen that !as de$oured& then #rom that o# the !ee) a#ter. It !as not that she !as in the leastmore e2"ensi$e u"on hersel#& or that she consciousl% !asted an%thing+ (ut& altogether a$erse tohouse)ee"ing& she ceased to e2ercise the same outloo) u"on the e2"enditure o# the house& didnot )ee" her horses together& le#t the management more and more to her coo)+ !hile the

consciousness that she !as not doing her dut% made her more and more uncom#orta(le& and the)no!ledge that things !ere going #arther and #arther !rong& made her hate the idea o# accounts!orse and !orse& until she came at length to regard them !ith such a loathing as might ha$e#itted some e2treme o# moral e$il. The (ills !hich !ere su""osed (% her hus(and to (e regularl%settled e$er% !ee) !ere at last months (ehind& and the !ee)4s mone% s"ent in meeting the most "ressing o# its demands& !hile !hat it could no longer co$er !as cast u"on the gro!ing hea" o#e$il #or the time to come.

I must sa% this #or her& ho!e$er& that there !as a small sum o# mone% she e2"ected on the deatho# a cra5% aunt& !hich& i# she could (ut la% hold o# it !ithout her hus(and4s )no!ledge& shemeant to de$ote to the clearing o## o# e$er%thing& !hen she $o!ed to hersel# to do (etter in the

time to come.

The !orst thing in it all !as that her #ear o# her hus(and )e"t increasing& and that she #elt moreand more uncom#orta(le in his "resence. *ence that trou(led loo) in her e%e& al!a%s moremar)ed !hen her hus(and sat do5ing in his chair o# a 9unda% a#ternoon.

It !as natural& too& that& although the% ne$er ,uarrelled& their intercourse should not gro! o# amore tender character. 9eldom !as there a salient "oint in their #e! scattered sentences o#con$ersation& e2ce"t& indeed& it !ere some "iece o# ne!s either had to communicate.ccasionall% the !i#e read something #rom the ne!s"a"er& (ut ne$er e2ce"t at her hus(and4sre,uest. In general he en?o%ed his ne!s"a"er o$er a cho" at his o##ice. T!o or three times sincetheir marriageno! eight %earshe had made a transient resol$e "ointing at the im"ro$ement o#her mind& and to that end had ta)en #rom his great glassarmoured (oo)case some 0standard0!or)in$aria(l%& I (elie$e& u"on "art%"olitics#rom !hich he had made her read him a cha"ter.'ut& unha""il%& she had al!a%s got to the end o# it !ithout gaining the slightest glimmer o# a truenotion o# !hat the author !as dri$ing at.

It almost mo$es me to "it% to thin) o# the $agueness o# that rudimentar% humanit% in Mr.Dem"ster !hich made him dream o# doing something to im"ro$e his !i#e4s mind. /hat did hee$er do to im"ro$e his o!n It is hard to understand ho! horses #ind themsel$es so com#orta(lein their sta(les that& (e the da% e$er so #ine& the countr% e$er so lo$el%& the air e$er soe2hilarating& the% are al!a%s re?oiced to get (ac) into their dull t!ilight: it is harder to me tounderstand ho! Mr. Dem"ster could (e so com#orta(le in his o!n mind that he ne$er !anted toget out o# it& e$en at the ris) o# (eing (eside himsel#+ (ut no dou(t the dimness o# its t!ilight hada good deal to do !ith his content. And then there is that in e$er% human mind !hich no man4sneigh(our& na%& no man himsel#& can understand. M% neigh(our ma% in his turn (e regarding m%mind as a gloom% "lace to li$e in& !hile I #ind it no undesira(le residencethough chie#l% (ecause o# the num(er o# !indo!s it a##ords me #or loo)ing out o# it. 9till& i# Dem"ster4s ding%o##ice in the Cit% !as not altogether a su##icing t%"e o# the mind that used it& I consider it a $er%#airl% good one.



'ut !herein !as Mrs. Dem"ster so $er% di##erent #rom her hus(and as I rudel% #anc% some o#m% readers imagining her /hate$er ma% ha$e (een her reasons #or marr%ing himone !ouldsu""ose the% must ha$e (een !eight%to do so she must ha$e (een in a $er% unde$elo"edcondition& and in that condition she still remained. I do not mean that she !as less de$elo"ed

than ninet%nine out o# the hundred: most !omen a##ect me onl% as $alua(le crude material outo# !hich "recious things are ma)ing. *o! much the% might (e& must (e& shall (e@ For no! the%stand li)e so man% ;ot4s!i$esso man% roughhe!n mar(le (loc)s& rather& o# !hich a Di$init%is sha"ing the ends. Mrs. Dem"ster had all the ma)ing o# a lo$el% !oman& (ut not!ithstandingher grace& her (eaut%& her s!eetness& her lar)li)e (allading too& she !as a $er% ordinar% !omanin that region o# her !hich )ne! !hat she meant !hen she said -I.- # this #act she had hardl% asus"icion& ho!e$er+ #or until as"iration (rings humilit%& "eo"le are generall% "rett% !ell satis#ied!ith themsel$es& ha$ing no idea !hat "oor creatures the% are. 9he sa! in her mirror a su"erior!oman& regarded hersel# as one o# the #iner !or)s o# creation. The !orst !as that #rom the #irstshe had counted hersel# su"erior to her hus(and& and in marr%ing him had #elt not merel% that she!as con#erring a #a$our& !hich e$er% hus(and !ould allo!& (ut that she !as lo!ering hersel#

!ithout ele$ating him. >o! it is true that she !as "leasanter to loo) at& that her manners !eres!eeter& and her notions o# the (ecoming #ar less easil% satis#ied than his+ also that she !as alittle less de#icient in $ague re$erence #or certain #orms o# the higher than he. 'ut I )no! o#nothing in her to determine her classi#ication as o# greater $alue than he& e2ce"t indeed that she!as on the !hole rather more honest. 9he read no$els and he did not+ she "assed shallo! ?udgment& !here he scorned to ?udge+ she read all the middling "oetr% that came in her !a%& andco"ied (oo)s #ull o# it+ (ut she could no more ha$e a""reciated one o# Milton4s or 9ha)s"ere4ssmallest "oems than she could ha$e laughed o$er a "age o# Chinese. 9he li)ed to hear this andthat "o"ular "reacher& and !hen her hus(and called his sermons hum(ug& she heard it !ith ashoc)ed countenance+ (ut !as she (etter or !orse than her hus(and !hen& admiring them as shedid& she "ermitted them to ha$e no more in#luence u"on her conduct than i# the% had (een themerest hum(ug e$er uttered (% am(itious demagogue In truth& I cannot see that in the matter o#!orth there !as much as %et to choose (et!een them.

It is hardl% necessar%& then& to sa% that there !as little a""recia(le a""ro2imation o# an% )indgoing on (et!een them. I# onl% the% !ould ha$e read Dic)ens together@ /ho )no!s !hat mightha$e come o# it@ 'ut this dull close animal "ro2imit%& !ithout the smallest conscious nearness o#heart or mind or souland so little chance& #rom $er% lac) o# !ants& #or sho!ing each other)indnessessurel% it is a )illing sort o# thing@ And %et& and %et& there is al!a%s a somethingcallit ha(it& or an% "oorest name %ou "leasegro!s u" (et!een t!o !ho are much together& at least!hen the% neither ,uarrel nor th!art each other4s designs& !hich& tending !ith its roots to!ardsthe dee"er human& (lossoms intoa !retched little #lo!er indeed& %et a#ar o## "arta)ing o# thenature o# lo$e. The 9omething seldom re$eals its e2istence until the% are "arted. I sus"ect that!ith not a #e!& Death is the lo$emessenger at the stro)e o# !hose dart the stream o# lo$e #irst (egins to #lo! in the sel#ish (osom.

It is no! necessar% to mention a little (rea) in the monoton% o# Mrs. Dem"ster4s li#e& !hich& (ut#or !hat came a#ter!ards& could claim no record. ne morning her "age announced Ma?or9trong& and "ossi(l% she recei$ed the gentleman !ho entered !ith a (righter #ace than she hade$er sho!n her hus(and. The ma?or had ?ust arri$ed #rom India. *e had (een much at her #ather4s



house !hile she !as %et a mere girl& (eing then engaged to one o# her sisters& !ho died a#ter he!ent a(road& and (e#ore he could return to marr% her. *e !as no! a !ido!er& a #ineloo)ing&#ran)& manl% #ello!. The e2"ression o# his countenance !as little altered& and the sight o# himre$i$ed in the memor% o# Mrs. Dem"ster man% recollections o# a ha""% girlhood& !hen the "ros"ect o# such a li#e as she no! led !ith tolera(le content !ould ha$e seemed sim"l%

unendura(le. /hen her hus(and came home she told him as much as he cared to hear o# the$isitor she had had& and he made no o(?ection to her as)ing him to dine the ne2t 9unda%. /henhe arri$ed Mr. Dem"ster sa! a man o# his o!n age& (ron5ed and (ig& !ith not much !aist le#t& (ut a good carriage and "leasant #ace. *e made himsel# agreea(le at dinner& a""reciated his host4s!ine& and told good stories that "leased the (usiness man as sho!ing that he )ne! -!hat !as!hat.- *e accorded him his more "articular a""ro$al& s"ea)ing to his !i#e& on the ground that he!as a man o# the !orld& !ith none o# the arm% slang a(out him. Mr. Dem"ster !as not a!arethat he had himsel# more (usiness "eculiarities than an% o##icer in her ma?est%4s ser$ice hadmilitar% ones.

A#ter this Ma?or 9trong #re,uentl% called u"on Mrs. Dem"ster. The% !ere good #riends& and did

each other no harm !hate$er& and the hus(and neither sho!ed nor #elt the least ?ealous%. The%sang together& occasionall% !ent out sho""ing& and three or #our times !ent together to the "la%.Mr. Dem"ster& so long as he had his usual com#orts& did not "ine in his !i#e4s a(sence& (ut didsho! a little more "leasure !hen she came home to him than usuall% !hen he came home to her.This lasted #or a #e! months. Then the ma?or !ent (ac) to India& and #or a time the lad% missedhim a good deal& !hich& considering the dulness o# her li#e& !as not $er% sur"rising orre"rehensi(le.

C*A3T II.

A> A9T>I9*M>T.

>o! comes the strange "art o# m% stor%.

ne e$ening the housemaid o"ened the door to Mr. Dem"ster on his return #rom the cit%+ and "erha"s the #act that it !as the maid& and not the "age as usual& roused his o(ser$ation& !hich&e2ce"t in (usiness matters& !as not remar)a(l% o"erati$e. *e glanced at the %oung !oman& !henan e%e #ar less )een than his could not ha$e #ailed to remar) a strangel% e2cited e2"ression onher countenance.

-/here is the (o%- he as)ed.

-ust run to the doctor4s& sir&- she ans!ered.

Then #irst he remem(ered that !hen he le#t in the morning his !i#e had not (een #eelingaltogether !ell& (ut he had ne$er thought o# her since.



-*o! is %our mistress- he said.

-9he4s rather "oorl%& sir& (ut(utshe4s as !ell as could (e e2"ected.-

-/hat does the #ool mean- said Dem"ster to himsel#& and $er% nearl% said it aloud& #or he !asnot o$er "olite to an% in his ser$ice. 'ut he did not sa% it aloud. *e ad$anced into the hall !ithdeli(eration& and made #or the stair.

-h& "lease sir&- the maid cried in a tone o# "ertur(ation& !hen& turning #rom shutting the door&she sa! his intention& -%ou can4t go u" to mis4ess4s room ?ust at this minute& sir. 3lease go in thediningroom& sir.-

-/hat do %ou mean- he as)ed& turning angril% u"on the girl& #or o# all things he hated m%ster%.

;i)e e$er% one else in the house& and o##ice (oth& she stood in a!e o# him& and his loo)

#rightened her.

-3lease go in the diningroom&- she gas"ed entreatingl%.

-/hat@- he said and did turn to!ards the diningroom& -is %our mistress so ill she can4t see me-

-h& no& sir@at least I don4t )no! e2actl%. Coo)4s !ith her& sir. 9he4s o$er the !orst& an%ho!.-

-/hat on earth do %ou mean& girl 9"ea) out& !ill %ou /hat is the matter !ith %our mistress-

As he s"o)e he ste""ed into the room& the maid #ollo!ing him. The same moment he s"ied a!hitish (undle o# something on the rug in #ront o# the #ire.

-/hat do %ou mean (% lea$ing things li)e that in the diningroom- he !ent on more angril%still.

-3lease& sir&- ans!ered the girl& going and li#ting the (undle care#ull%& -it4s the (a(%@-

-The (a(%@- shouted Mr. Dem"ster& and loo)ed at her #rom head to #oot. -/hat (a(%- Then (ethin)ing himsel# that it must (elong to some $isitor in the dra!ingroom !ith his !i#e& hemoderated his tone. -Ma)e haste+ ta)e it a!a%@- he said. -I don4t !ant (a(ies here@ There4s a timeand a "lace #or e$er%thing@/hat 0are0 %ou a(out-

For& instead o# o(e%ing her master and ta)ing it a!a%& the maid !as care#ull% loo)ing in the (lan)et #or the (a(%. *a$ing #ound it and turned aside the co$ering #rom its #ace& she camenearer& and holding u" the little $ision& a(out the si5e and colour o# a roll o# red !a2 ta"er& said:

-;oo) at it& sir@ It4s %our o!n& and !orth loo)ing at.-

>e$er (e#ore had she dared s"ea) to him so@



I !ill not $enture to assert that Mr. Dem"ster turned !hite& (ut his countenance changed& and hedro""ed into the chair (ehind him& #eeling less o# a (usiness man than had (een hisconsciousness #or the last t!ent% %ears. *e !as hit hard. The a(solutel% Incredi(le had hit him.'a(ies might (e (orn in a da%& (ut surel% not !ithout "re$ious "re"aration on the "art o# nature

at least& i# not on that o# the mother+ and in this case i# the mother had "re"ared hersel#& certainl%she had not "re"ared him #or the e$ent. It !as as i# the treasure o# >ature4s germens !eretum(ling all together. *is head s!am. *e could not s"ea) a !ord.

-Bes& sir&- the maid !ent on& relie$ed o# her tre"idation in "ercei$ing that her master too !asmortal& and that her !ord had such "o!er o$er him"roud also o# )no!ing more o# his concernsthan he did himsel#& -she !as too) a(out an hour and a hal# ago. /e4$e )e"4 sendin4 an4 sendin4a#ter the doctor& (ut he ain4t ne$er (een %et+ onl% coo)& she )no!s a deal an4 she sa%s she4s (een$er% (ad& sir. 'ut the %oung gentleman come at last& (less him@ and no! she4s doin4 as !ell ascould (e e2"ected& sircoo) sa%s.-

-God (less me@- said the astonished #ather& and rela"sed into the silence o# (e!ilderment.

ight %ears married !ith ne$er a glimmer o# o##s"ringand no!& all at once& and !ithout a!his"er o# !arning& the #ather o# a -%oung gentleman@- *o! could it (e other than "er"le2ingdiscom"osing& indeed@%et it !as right "leasant too. nl% it !ould ha$e (een more "leasant i#e2"erience could ha$e ?usti#ied the a##air@ >atureno& not >atureor& i# >ature& then >ature surein some unnatural mood& had stolen a march u"on him& had gone contrar% to all that had e$er (een re$ealed o# her doings (e#ore@ and !h% had she "itched on him?ust him& DuncanDem"ster& to e2ercise one o# her more grotes,ue and !a%!ard moods u"onto "la% at hideandsee) !ith a#ter this #ashion 9he had not treated him !ith e2actl% "ro"er res"ect& he thought&or& rather $aguel% #elt.

-'usiness is (usiness&- he remar)ed& under his (reath& -and this cannot (e called "ro"er (usiness (eha$iour. /hat is there a(out me to ma)e game o# eall%& m% !i#e ought-

/hat his !i#e ought or ought not to ha$e done& ho!e$er& had not %et made itsel# clear to him&and his endea$our to e2cogitate (eing in that direction (ro)en o##& ga$e !a% to the "leasure o#)no!ing himsel# a #ather& or "erha"s more trul% o# ha$ing an heir. In the strength o# it he rose&!ent to the cellaret& and "oured himsel# out a glass o# his #a$ourite "ort& !hich he sat do!n todrin) in silence and meditation. *e !as rather a "icture ?ust then and there& though not a $er%lo$el% one& seated& !ith his hat still on his head& in the middle o# the room& u"on a chair hal#!a% (et!een the diningta(le and the side(oard& !ith his glass o# !ine in his hand. *e !as "ondering "artl% the "leasure& (ut still mainl% the "eculiarit% o# his "osition. A (isho" once told me that&shortl% a#ter he had (een raised to the e"isco"al dignit%& a #riend4s horses& !hose dri$er hadtum(led o## the (o2 drun)& ran a!a% !ith him& and u"set the carriage. *e cre"t out o# the!indo! o$er his head& and the #irst thought that came to him as he sat "erched on the side o# thecarriage& !hile it !as ?um(led along (% the maddened horses& !as& -/hat do (isho"s do in suchcircumstances- ,uall% "er"le2ing !as the ,uestion Dem"ster had to as) himsel#: ho!hus(ands !ho& a#ter (eing married eight %ears& suddenl% and une2"ectedl% recei$ed the gi#t o# a#irst(orn& !ere in the ha(it o# com"orting themsel$es@ *e "oured himsel# out another glass& and



!ith it came the re#lection& (oth amusing and consoling& that his (rother& !ho !as con#identl%e2"ecting his tid% #i$e #igures to cro!n the earthl% (liss o# one or more o# his large #amil% someda%& !ould (e e,uall% (ut less agreea(l% sur"rised. -9er$e him right@- he said to himsel#. -/hat (usiness ha$e the% to (e loo)ing out #or m% death- And #or a moment the hea$ens a""eared alittle more ?ust than he !as ordinaril% in the ha(it o# regarding them. *e said to himsel# he !ould

!or) harder than e$er no!. There !ould no! (e some good in ma)ing mone%@ *e had ne$ergi$en his mind to it %et& he said: no! the !orld should see !hat he could do !hen he did gi$e hismind to it@

*itherto gathering had (een his main "leasure& (ut !ith the thought o# his mone% !ould no! notseldom (e mingled the thought o# the little thing in the (lan)et@ *e (egan to #ind himsel#strangel% ha""%. I use the !rong "hrase#or the #act is& he had ne$er %et #ound himsel# at all+ he)ne! nothing o# the "erson e2ce"t a sel#"ainted and immensel% #lattered "ortrait that hung inthe innermost cham(er o# his heartI mean the innermost cham(er he )ne! an%thing o#: there!ere man% cham(ers there o# !hich he did not e$en )no! the doors. Bet a #e! minutes as he satthere& and he !as actuall% cherishing a little "ride in the !i#e !ho had done so much (etter #or

him than he had at length come to e2"ect. I# not a good accountant& she !as at least a good !i#e&and a $er% #air house)ee"er: he had no dou(t she !ould "ro$e a good mother. *e !ould gladl%ha$e gone to her at once& to let her )no! ho! much he !as "leased !ith her (eha$iour. As #orthat little (it o# red cla%-terra cotta&- he called it to himsel#& as he loo)ed round !ith a smile atthe (lan)et& !hich the housemaid had re"laced on the rug (e#ore the #ire!ho could imaginehim a "otentate u"on 4Change"erha"s in time a director o# uro"ean a##airs@ *e !as not in the!a% o# ?o)ingo# all things a(out mone%+ the $er% thought& o# (usiness #illed him #rom to" to toe!ith seriousness+ (ut he did ma)e that small ?o)e& and accom"an% it !ith a grim smile.

*e !as startled #rom his musing (% the entrance o# the doctor& !ho had in the meantime arri$edand seen the lad%& and no! came to loo) at the (a(%. *e congratulated Mr. Dem"ster on ha$ingat length a son and heir& (ut !arned him that his !i#e !as #ar #rom (eing (e%ond danger %et. The!hole thing !as entirel% out o# the common& he said& and she must (e ta)en the greatest "ossi(lecare o#. The !ords !o)e a gentle "it% in the heart o# the man& #or (% nature all men ha$e sometenderness #or !omen in such circumstances& (ut the% did not trou(le him greatl%#or suchdangers (elonged to their calling& their 0(usiness0 in li#e& and& dou(tless& i# she had attended tothat (usiness earlier she !ould ha$e #ound it easier.

-Did %ou e$er )no! such a thing (e#ore& doctor- he as)ed& !ith the im"ortance o# one honoured (% a "ersonal $isit #rom the Mar$ellous.

->e$er in m% o!n "ractice&- ans!ered the doctor& !hom the coo) had instructed in the !onderso# the case& -(ut I ha$e read o# such a thing.- And Mr. Dem"ster s!elled li)e a tur)e%coc).

It !as se$eral da%s (e#ore he !as allo!ed to see the mother. 3erha"s had she e2"ressed a strongdesire to see him& it might ha$e (een ris)ed sooner& (ut she had neither e2"ressed nor mani#estedan%. *e )issed her& s"o)e a #e! stu"id !ords in a )ind tone& as)ing her ho! she did& (ut "a%ingno heed to her ans!er& and turned aside to loo)& at the (a(%.



Mrs. Dem"ster reco$ered (ut slo!l%& and not $er% satis#actoril%. 9he did not seem to care mucha(out the child. 9he tried to nurse him& (ut !as not $er% success#ul. 9he too) him !hen the nurse (rought him& and %ielded him again !ith the same indi##erence& sho!ing neither "leasure torecei$e nor un!illingness to "art !ith him. The nurse did not #ail to o(ser$e it and remar) u"onit: 0she0 had ne$er seen a mother care so little #or her child@ there !as little o# the mother in

0her0 an% !a%@ it !as no !onder she !as so long a(out it. It trou(led the #ather a little that sheshould not care #or his child: some slight #ermentation had commenced in the seemingl% deadmass o# human a##ection that had lain so long neglected in his (eing& and it seemed strange tohim that& !hile he !as li$ing #or the child in the Cit%& she should (e so indi##erent to him athome. For alread% he had (egun to )ee" his $o!& alread% his greater )eenness in (usiness !asremar)ed in the Cit%. 'ut it (oded little good #or either that the gi#t o# God should stir u" in himthe !orshi" o# Mammon. More sons are damned (% their #athers4 mone% than (% an%thing else!hate$er outside o# themsel$es.

There !as the e2cuse to (e made #or Mrs. Dem"ster that she continued #ar #rom strongand herhus(and made it: he !ould ha$e made it more heartil% i# he had himsel# e$er in his li#e )no!n

!hat it !as to (e ill. '% degrees she gre! stronger& ho!e$er& until& to "ersons !ho had not)no!n her (e#ore& she !ould ha$e seemed in tolera(le health. For a !ee) or t!o a#ter she !asagain going a(out the house& she continued to nurse the (a(%& (ut a#ter that she (ecame una(le todo so& and there!ith (egan to neglect him entirel%. 9he ne$er as)ed to see him& and !hen thenurse (rought him !ould turn her head aside& and tell her to ta)e it a!a%. 9o #ar #rom his (eing a "leasure to her& the $er% sight o# the child (rought the hot de! u"on her #orehead. *er hus(and#ro!ned and !ondered& (ut& unaccustomed to o"en his mind either to her or to an% one else& notun!isel% sought to understand the thing (e#ore s"ea)ing o# it& and in the meantime commenced agenuine attem"t to ma)e u" to the (a(% #or his mother4s neglect. Almost !ithout a notion ho!e$en to ta)e him in his arms& he !ould no! send #or him the moment he had had his tea& anda#ter a #ashion& ludicrous in the e%es o# the nurse& !ould dandle and caress him& and strut a(out!ith him (e#ore his !i#e& glancing u" at her e$er% no! and then& to "oint the lesson that such!as the manner in !hich a "arent ought to (eha$e to a child. In his "resence she ne$er made an%acti$e sho! o# her disli)e& (ut her loo) seemed all the time #i2ed on something #ar a!a%& as i#she had nothing to do !ith the a##air.

C*A3T III.

A>T* A9T>I9*M>T.

'ut a second and $er% di##erent astonishment a!aited Mr. Dem"ster. Again one e$ening& on hisreturn #rom the Cit%& he sa! a strange loo) on the #ace o# the girl !ho o"ened the door(ut thistime it !as a loo) o# #ear.

-/ell- he said& in a tone at once alarmed and "erem"tor%.



9he made no ans!er& (ut turned !hiter than (e#ore.

-/here is %our mistress- he demanded.

->o(od% )no!s& sir&- she ans!ered.

->o(od% )no!s@ /hat !ould %ou ha$e me understand (% such an ans!er-

-It4s the (are truth& sir. >o(od% )no!s !here she is.-

-God (less me@- cried the hus(and. -/hat does it all mean-

And again he sun) do!n u"on a chairthis time in the hall& and stared at the girl as i# !aiting#urther enlightenment.

'ut there !as little enough to (e had. nl% one "oint !as clear: his !i#e !as no!here to (e

#ound. *e sent #or e$er% one in the house& and cross,uestioned each to disco$er the lastoccasion on !hich she had (een seen. It !as some time since she had (een missed+ ho! long (e#ore that she had (een seen there !as no certaint% to (e had. *e ran to the doctor& then #romone to another o# her ac,uaintance& then to her mother& !ho li$ed on the o""osite side o#;ondon. 9he& li)e the rest& could tell him nothing. In her an2iet% she !ould ha$e gone (ac) !ithhim& (ut he !as surl%& and !ould not allo! her. It !as getting to!ards morning (e#ore hereached home& (ut no relie$ing ne!s a!aited him. /hat to thin) !as as much a "er"le2it% tohim as !hat to do. *e !as not in the agon% in !hich a man !ould ha$e (een !ho thoroughl%lo$ed his !i#e& (ut he cared enough a(out her to #eel uncom#orta(le+ and the cries o# the child&!ho !as su##ering #rom some ailment& made him misera(le: in his "er"le2it% and dull sense o#hel"lessness he !ondered !hether she might not ha$e gi$en the (a(% "oison (e#ore she !ent.Then the thing !ould ma)e such a tal)@ and& o# all things& Duncan Dem"ster hated (eing tal)eda(out. *o! (us% "eo"le4s (rains !ould (e !ith all his a##airs@ *o! man% e2"lanations o# them%ster% !ould (e suggested on 4Change@ 9ome !ould sa%& -/hat (usiness had a man li)e him!ith a #ine lad% #or a !i#e one so much %ounger than himsel# too@- *e could remem(er ma)ingthe same remar) o# another& (e#ore he !as married. -9er$ed him right@- the% !ould sa%. And!ith that the #irst mo$ement o# sus"icion a!o)e in him"urel% and solel% #rom his o!n mind4sre#lection o# the imagined minds o# others. /hile in his mind4s ear he heard them tal)ing& almost (e#ore he )ne! !hat the% meant the !ords came to him: -There !as that Ma?or 9trong& %ou)no!@-

-9he4s gone to him@- he cried aloud& and& s"ringing #rom the (ed on !hich he had thro!nhimsel#& he "aced the cham(er in a #ur%. *e had no !ord #or it (ut hers that he !as no! in India@The% had onl% (een !aiting till'% hea$en& that child !as none o# his@ And there!ith rushedinto his mind the con$iction that e$er%thing !as thus e2"lained. >o man e$er %et entertained anunha""% sus"icion& (ut straight!a% an arm% o# "roo#s "ositi$e came cro!ding to the ser$ice o#the lie. It is astounding !ith !hat mani#est "ro(a(ilit% e$er%thing !ill #all in to "ro$e that a #act!hich has no #oundation !hate$er@ There is no end to the "er#ection !ith !hich a man ma% #oolhimsel# !hile ta)ing a(solute "recautions against (eing #ooled (% others. $er% #act& (eing ali$ing #act& has endless sides and relations+ (ut o# all these& the man !hose (eing hangs u"on one



thought& !ill see onl% those sides and relations !hich #all in !ith that thought. Dem"ster e$enrecalled the !ords o# the maid& -It4s mis4ess4s&- as em(od%ing the girl4s (elie# that it !as notmaster4s. /here a man& !hether (% nature ?ealous or not& is in a ?ealous condition& there is noneed o# an Iago to "arade (e#ore him the "roo#s o# his !rong. It !as (ecause 9ha)es"ere !ouldneither ha$e Desdemona less than "er#ect& nor thello other than the most trusting and least

sus"icious o# men& that he had to in$ent an all (ut incredi(le $illain to e##ect the need#ulcatastro"he.

'ut !h% should a man& !ho has cared so little #or his !i#e& (ecome instantl%& u"on the (aresus"icion& so utter a "re% to consuming miser% There !as a character in his su##ering !hichcould not (e attri(uted to an% degree o# anger& shame& or dread o# ridicule. The truth !as& therela% in his (eing a "ossi(ilit% o# lo$e to his !i#e #ar (e%ond an%thing his misera(l% stuntedconsciousness had an idea o#+ and the con$iction o# her #aithlessness no! !rought u"on him inthe o##ice o# Death& to let him )no! !hat he had lost. It magni#ied her (eaut% in his e%es& hergentleness& her grace+ and he thought !ith a "ang ho! little he had made o# her or it.

'ut the ne2t moment !rath at the idea o# another man4s child (eing im"osed u"on him as his&!ith the conse,uent loss o# his "recious mone%& s!e"t e$er% other #eeling (e#ore it. For (% la!the child !as his& !hoe$er might (e the #ather o# it. During a !hole minute he #elt on the "oint o# t%ing a stone a(out its nec)& carr%ing it out& and thro!ing it into the ri$er ;ea. Then& !ith thelaugh o# a h%ena& he set a(out arranging in his mind the "roo#s o# her guilt. First came eightchildless %ears !ith himsel#+ ne2t the concealment o# her condition& and the a(surd "retence thatshe had )no!n nothing o# it+ then the trou(le o# mind into !hich she had #allen+ then her strangeunnatural a$ersion to her o!n child+ and no!& last o# all& conclusi$e o# a guilt% conscience& her#light #rom his house. *e !ould gi$e himsel# no trou(le to #ind her+ !h% should he search a#terhis o!n shame@ *e !ould neither attem"t to conceal nor to e2"lain the #act that she had le#thim"eo"le might sa% !hat the% "leasedtr% him #or murder i# the% li)ed@ As to the child shehad so )indl% le#t to console him #or her a(sence& he !ould not dro!n him& neither !ould he (ring him u" in his house+ he !ould gi$e him an ordinar% education& and a""rentice him to atrade. For his mone%& he !ould lea$e it to a hos"itala rich one& a(le to de#end his !ill i#dis"uted. For !hat !as the child A monstera creature that had no right to e2istence@

>ot one o# those !ho )ne! him (est !ould ha$e (elie$ed him ca"a(le o# (eing so mo$ed& nordid one o# them no! )no! it& #or he hid his su##ering !ith the success o# a man notunaccustomed to ma)e a mas) o# his #ace. There are not a #e! men !ho& e2ce"t something o# thenature o# a catastro"he (e#all them& !ill "ass through li#e !ithout ha$ing or a##ording a sus"iciono# !hat is in them. $er%thing hitherto had tended to su""ress the li$e elements o# DuncanDem"ster+ (ut no!& li)e the #ire o# a $olcano in a land o# ice& the $italit% in him had (egun tosho! itsel#.

9heer !eariness dro$e him& as the morning (egan to (rea)& to lie do!n again+ (ut he neitherundressed nor sle"t& and rose at his usual hour. /hen he entered the diningroom& !here (rea)#ast !as laid as usualonl% #or one instead o# t!ohe #ound (% his "late& among lettersaddressed to his !i#e& a "ac)et directed to himsel#. It had not (een through the "ost& and theaddress !as in his !i#e4s hand. *e o"ened it. A sheet o# "a"er !as !ra""ed around a roll o#un"aid (utcher4s (ills& amounting to something li)e eight% "ounds& and a note #rom the (utcher



cra$ing immediate settlement. n the sheet o# "a"er !as !ritten& also in his !i#e4s hand& these!ords: -I am ,uite un!orth% o# (eing %our !i#e an% longer+- that !as all.

>o! here& to a man !ho had lo$ed her enough to understand her& !as a clue to the !holetoDem"ster it !as the strongest "ossi(le con#irmation o# !hat he had alread% concluded. To him it

a""eared as certain as an%thing he called truth& that #or %ears& !hile )ee"ing a #air #ace to herhus(anda man !ho had ne$er re#used her an%thinghe did not recall the #act that almost ne$erhad she as)ed or he o##ered an%thingshe had (een decei$ing him& s"ending mone% she !ouldnot account #or& "retending to "a% e$er%thing !hen she had (een ruining his credit !ith theneigh(ourhood& ma)ing him& a #ar richer man than an% (ut himsel# )ne!& a""ear to (e li$ing (e%ond his means& !hen he !as e$er% month in$esting #ar more than he s"ent. It !as in?ur%u"on in?ur%@ Then& as a last mar) o# her contem"t& she had ta)en "ains that these (eggarl% (utcher4s (ills should reach him #rom her o!n hand@ *e !ould trou(le himsel# a(out such a!oman not a moment longer@

*e !ent #rom (rea)#ast to his omni(us as usual& !al)ed straight to his o##ice& and s"ent the da%

according to custom. I need hardl% sa% that the #irst thing he did !as to !rite a che,ue #or the (utcher. *e made no #urther in,uir% a#ter her !hate$er& nor !as an% made o# him there& #orscarcel% one o# the "eo"le !ith !hom he did (usiness had (een to his house& or had e$en seenhis !i#e.

In the su(ur( !here he li$ed it !as di##erent+ (ut he "aid no heed to an% in,uir%& (e%ond sa%inghe )ne! nothing a(out her. To her relati$es he said that i# the% !anted her the% might #ind her #or themsel$es. 9he had gone to "lease hersel#& and he !as not going to ruin himsel# (% runninga(out the !orld a#ter her.

>ight a#ter night he came home to his desolate house+ too) no com#ort #rom his child+ made nocon#ession that he stood in need o# com#ort. 'ut he had a dull sensation as i# the sun had#orsa)en the !orld& and an endless night had (egun. The simile& o# course& is minethe sensationonl% !as his+ 0he0 could ne$er ha$e e2"ressed an%thing that !ent on in the region !herein mensu##er.

A #e! da%s made a mar)ed di##erence in his a""earance. *e !as a hard man+ (ut not so hard as "eo"le had thought him+ and (esides& 0no0 man can rule his o!n s"irit e2ce"t he has the s"irit o#right on his side+ neither is an% man "roo# against the inroads o# good. $en ;ad% Mac(eth !asde#eated (% the imagination she had (ra$ed. Add to this& that no man can& e$en (% those !hounderstand him (est& (e la(elled as a (o2 containing such and such elements& #or the humanit% inhim is dee"er than an% indi$idualit%& and ma% mani#est itsel# at some crisis in a !a% altogether (eside e2"ectation.

*is #eeling !as not at #irst o# an ele$ated )ind. A#ter the grinding !rath had a(ated& sel#"it%came largel% to the sur#acenot (% an% means a grand emotion& though $er% dear to (o%s andgirls in their #irst consciousness o# sel#& and in them "ardona(le enough. n the same ground itmust (e "ardoned in a man !ho& !ith all his e2"erience o# the !orld& !as more ignorant o# theregion o# emotion& and more unde$elo"ed morall%& than multitudes o# children: in him it !as anindication that the shell !as (eginning to (rea). *e said to himsel# that he !as old (eside her&



and that she had (egun to !ear% o# him& and des"ise him. Graduall% u"on this& ho!e$er&su"er$ened at inter$als a #aint shado! o# "it% #or her !ho could not ha$e (een ha""% or she!ould not ha$e le#t him.

Da%s and !ee)s "assed& and there !as no sign o# Mrs. Dem"ster. The child !as not sent out to

nurse& and thro$e !ell enough. *is #ather ne$er too) the least notice o# him.

C*A3T I.

/*AT IT MA>T.

9ome o# m% readers& "erha"s all o# them& !ill ha$e concluded that Mrs. Dem"ster !as a little out

o# her mind. 9uch& indeed& !as the #act& and one not greatl% to (e !ondered at& a#ter such a "eculiar e2"erience as she had had. 9ome small degree o# congestion& and the conse,uent "ressure on some "ortion o# the (rain& had sent certain #aculties to slee"& and& "erha"s& rousedothers into mor(id acti$it%. That it is im"ossi(le to tell !here sanit% ends and insanit% (egins& is atrite remar) indeed+ (ut li)e man% things !hich it is useless to sa%& it has the more need to (ethought o#. I# I %ield to an im"ulse o# !hich I )no! I shall (e ashamed& is it not the act o# amadman And ma% not the act lead to a ha(it& and at length to a des"ised& "erha"s #eared andhated& old age& t!isting at the ragged ends o# a misera(le li#e

*o!e$er certain it is that mental disorder had to do !ith Mrs. Dem"ster4s de"arture #rom herhome& it is almost as certain she !ould ne$er ha$e gone had it not (een #or the un"aid (illshaunting her consciousness& a com(ination o# demon and ghost. The miser% had all the time (eengro!ing u"on her& and must ha$e had no small share in the su($ersion o# her microcosm. /henthat !as e##ected& the e$il thing that la% at the root o# it all rose and "ounced u"on her. /rong isits o!n a$enger. 9he had (een doing !rong& and )no!ingl% #or %ears& and no! the "lant o# e$il!as (lossoming to!ards its #ruit. I# one sa% the e$il !as (ut a tri#le& I ta)e her ?udgment& not his&u"on that. 9he had (een la5% to!ards dut%& had "ersistentl% turned aside #rom !hat she )ne! to (e her (usiness& until she dared not e$en loo) at it. And no! that the crisis !as at hand& asomened (% that letter #rom the (utcher& !ith the sense o# her !rongdoing !as mingled the terror o# her hus(and. /hat !ould he thin)& sa%& and do >ot %et had she& a#ter all these %ears& an%dee" insight into his character+ else "erha"s she might ha$e read there that& much as he lo$edmone%& the "leasure o# seeing signal #ailure #ollo! the neglect o# his instructions !ould ,uitecom"ensate him #or the loss. /hat the (ills amounted to& she had not an idea. >ot until she hadmade u" her mind to lea$e her home could she muster the courage to get them together. Then shee$en counted u" the total and set do!n the sum in her memor%!hich sum therea#ter hauntedher li)e the name o# her de$il.

As to the ma)ing u" o# her mindshe could remem(er $er% little o# that "rocessor indeed o# theturning o# her resol$e into action. 9he le#t the house in the "lainest dress her !ardro(e coulda##ord her& and !ith ?ust one hal#cro!n in her "oc)et. *er design !as to see) a situation& as a



re#uge #rom her hus(and and his !rath. It !as a curious thing& that& !hile it ga$e her no trou(leto lea$e her (a(%& !hom indeed she had not that da% seen& and to !hom #or some time she hadceased to (e necessar%& her onl% notion !as to get a "lace as nurse.

At that time& I "resume& there !ere #e! or no such o##ices #or engaging ser$ants as are no!

common+ at all e$ents& the "lan Mrs. Dem"ster too)& !hen she had reached a "art o# ;ondon she ?udged su##icientl% distant #or her "ur"ose& !as to go #rom sho" to sho" in,uiring a#ter asituation. 'ut she met !ith no "ros"ect o# success& and at last& greatl% in need o# rest andre#reshment& !ent into a small co##ee sho". The !oman !ho )e"t it !as ta)en (% her a""earance&her manners& and her e$ident trou(le& and& ha""ening to ha$e heard o# a lad% !ho !anted anurse& ga$e her the address. 9he !ent at once& and a""lied #or the "lace. The lad% !as much "leased !ith her& and agreed to ta)e her& "ro$ided she recei$ed a satis#actor% character o# her. For such a demand Mrs. Dem"ster !as un"re"ared+ she had ne$er thought !hat re#erence she couldgi$e& and& her resources #or dece"tion easil% e2hausted& ga$e& dri$en to e2tremit%& the name andaddress o# her mother. 9o met the e2tremes o# loss and sal$ation@ 9he returned to the co##ee sho"&and the lad% !rote at once to the address o# the %oung !oman4s late mistress& as she su""osed.

The )indness o# her ne! #riend !as not e2hausted+ she ga$e her a share o# her o!n (ed thatnight. Mrs. Dem"ster had no! (ut t!o shillings& !hich she o##ered her& "romising to "a% her therest out o# the #irst !ages she recei$ed. 'ut the good !oman !ould ta)e no more than one o#them& and that in #ull "a%ment o# !hat she o!ed her& and Mrs. Dem"ster le#t the sho" in tears& tolinger a(out the neigh(ourhood until the hour should arri$e at !hich the lad% had told her to callagain. A""arentl% she must ha$e cherished the ho"e that her mother& di$ining her e2tremit%&!ould gi$e her the character she could honestl% claim. 'ut as she dre! near the door !hich sheho"ed !ould "ro$e a re#uge& her mother !as a""roaching it also& and at the turning o# a cornerthe% ran into each other4s arms. The elderl% lad% had a hac)ne% coach !aiting #or her in the ne2tstreet& and Mrs. Dem"ster& too tired to resist& got into it at once at her mother4s desire. re the%reached the mother4s house& !hich& as I ha$e said& !as a long !a% #rom Mr. Dem"ster4s& thedaughter told e$er%thing& and the mother had "ercei$ed more than the daughter could tell: here%es had re$ealed that all !as not right (ehind them. 9he soothed her as none (ut a mother can&easil% "ersuading her she !ould ma)e e$er%thing right& and underta)ing hersel# to "a% themone% o!ing to the (utcher. 'ut it !as soon e$ident that #or the "resent there must (e nosuggestion o# her going (ac) to her hus(and+ #or& imagining #rom something& that her mother !asta)ing her to him& she ?um"ed u" and had all (ut o"ened the door o# the ca( !hen her mothersucceeded in mastering her. As soon as she !as "ersuaded that such had ne$er (een the intention&she !as ,uiet. /hen the% reached the house she !as easil% induced to go to (ed at once.

*er mother li$ed in a $er% hum(le !a%& !ith one ser$ant& a trust!orth% !oman. To her shecon#ided the !hole stor%& and !ith her consulted as to !hat had (etter (e done. 'et!een themthe% resol$ed to )ee" her& #or a !hile at least& in retirement and silence. To this conclusion the%came on the #ollo!ing grounds: First& the daughter4s terror and the mother4s o!n #ear o# Mr.Dem"ster+ ne2t& it must (e con#essed& the resentment o# (oth mistress and ser$ant (ecause o# hisrudeness !hen he came to in,uire a#ter her+ third& the e$ident condition o# the "oor creature4smind+ and last& the longing o# the t!o !omen to ha$e her to themsel$es& that the% might nurseand cosset her to their hearts4 content.



The% !ere to ha$e more o# this indulgence& ho!e$er& than& #or her sa)e& the% !ould ha$e desired&#or (e#ore morning she !as $er% ill. 9he had (rain #e$er& in #act& and the% had their hands #ull&es"eciall% as the% desired to ta)e e$er% "recaution to "re$ent the neigh(ourhood #rom )no!ingthere !as an% one (ut themsel$es in the house.

It !as a se$ere attac)& (ut she "assed the crisis #a$oura(l%& and (egan to reco$er. ne morning&a#ter a ,uieter night than usual& she called her mother& and told her she had had a strange dreamthat she had a (a(% some!here& (ut could not #ind him& and !as !andering a(out loo)ing #orhim.

-/asn4t it a curious dream& mamma- she said. -I !ish it !ere a true one. I )ne! e2actl% !hatm% (a(% !as li)e& and !ent into house a#ter house #ull o# children& sure that I could "ic) him outo# thousands. I !as ?ust going u" to the door o# the Foundling *os"ital to loo) #or him there!hen I !o)e.-

As she ceased& a strange trou(le "assed li)e a cloud o$er her #orehead and e%es& and her hand&

!orn almost trans"arent (% the #e$er #ollo!ed it o$er #orehead and e%es. 9he seemed tr%ing torecall something #orgotten. 'ut her mother thought it (etter to sa% nothing.

ach o# the t!o nights #ollo!ing she had the same dream.

-Three times& mother&- she said. -I am not su"erstitious& as %ou )no!& (ut I can4t hel" #eeling as i# it must mean something. I don4t )no! !hat to ma)e o# it elsee2ce"t it (e that I ha$en4t got o$erthe #e$er %et. And& indeed& I am a#raid m% head is not ,uite right& #or I can4t (e sure sometimes&such a hold has m% dream o# me& that I ha$en4t got a (a(% some!here a(out the !orld. Gi$e me%our hand& mother& and sing to me.-

9till her mother thought it more "rudent to sa% nothing& and do !hat she could to di$ert herthoughts+ #or she ?udged it must (e (etter to let her (rain come right& as it !ere& o# itsel#.

In the middle o# the ne2t night she !o)e her !ith a cr%.

-& mother& mother@ I )no! it all no!. I am not out o# m% mind an% more. *o! I came here Icannot tell(ut I )no! I ha$e a hus(and and a (a(% at *ac)ne%andoh& such a horri(le roll o# (utcher4s (ills@-

-Bes& %es& m% dear@ I )no! all a(out it&- ans!ered her mother. -'ut ne$er mind+ %ou can "a%them all %oursel# no!& #or I heard onl% %esterda% that %our aunt ;uc% is dead& and has le#t %outhe hundred "ounds she "romised %ou t!ent% %ears ago.-

-h& (less her@- cried Mrs. Dem"ster& s"ringing out o# (ed& much to the disma% o# her mother&!ho (oded a return o# the #e$er. -I must go home to m% (a(% at once. 'ut tell me all a(out it&mamma. *o! did I come here I seem to remem(er (eing in a carriage !ith %ou& and that is thelast I )no!.-



Then& u"on condition that she got into (ed at once& and "romised not to mo$e until she ga$e herlea$e& her mother consented to tell her all she )ne!. 9he listened in silence& !ith #ace #lushed ande%es glo!ing& (ut dran) a cooling draught& la% do!n again& and at da%(rea) !as #ast aslee"./hen she a!o)e she !as hersel# again.

C*A3T .

/*AT CAM F IT.

Meantime& things !ere going& as the% should& in rather a dull #ashion !ith Duncan Dem"ster. *ischariot !heels !ere gone& and he dro$e hea$il%. The !eather !as good+ he seldom #ailed o# the (o2seat on the omni(us+ a ra% o# light& the #irst he had e$er seen there& $isited his ta(le& re#lected

#rom a ne! !indo! on the o""osite side o# a court into the heart o# his dismal (ac) o##ice+ and (est o# all& (usiness !as (etter than usual. Bet !as Dem"ster not cheer#ul. *e !as not& indeed& aman an ac,uaintance !ould e$er ha$e thought o# calling cheer#ul+ (ut in gra%s there aregradations+ and ho!e$er di##erentl% a man4s (arometer ma% (e set #rom those o# other "eo"le& ithas its u"s and do!ns& its #air !eather and #oul. 'ut not %et had he an idea ho! much his mentale,uili(rium had (een de"endent u"on the dim consciousness o# ha$ing that ,uiet uninterested!i#e in the com#orta(le house at *ac)ne%. It had (een stronger than it seemed& the s"ider%&in$isi(le line connecting that o##ice and that house& along !hich had run t!ice a da% the harddum"ling that d!elt in Mr. Dem"ster4s (osom. aguel% connected !ith that home a#ter all mustha$e (een that endless care#ul gathering o# treasure in the cit%+ #or no!& though he could no moresto" ma)ing mone% than he could sto" (reathing& it had not the same interest as #ormerl%. Indeed&he had less interest than (e#ore in )ee"ing his lungs themsel$es going. 'ut he )e"t on doinge$er%thing as usual.

>ot one o# the men he met e$er said a !ord to him a(out his !i#e. The general im"ression !asthat she had le#t him #or "re#era(le societ%& and no one !ondered at her thro!ing aside such -adr% old stic)&- !hom e$en the de$oted sla$es o# (usiness contemned as ha$ing nothing in him (ut (usiness.

A #urther change !as& ho!e$er& in "rogress !ithin him. The #irst sign o# it !as that he (egan todou(t !hether his !i#e had indeed (een #alse to himhad #orsa)en him in an% other com"an%than that o# Death. 'ut there !as one great di##icult% in the !a% o# the conclusion. It !asim"ossi(le #or him to imagine suicide as "roceeding #rom an% cause (ut insanit%& and !hat couldha$e "roduced the disorder in one !ho had no cares or an2ieties& e$er%thing she !anted& andnothing to trou(le her& a de$oted hus(and& and a ha""% home Bet the mere idea made him thin)more "iti#ull%& and so more tenderl% o# her than (e#ore. It had not %et occurred to him to consider !hether he might not ha$e had something to do !ith her conduct or condition. 'lame !as athing he had ne$er made ac,uaintance !ithleast o# all in the #orm o# sel#(lame. To himsel# he!as sim"l% all rightthe "oised centre o# things ca"a(le o# righteous ?udgment on e$er% one else.'ut it must not (e #orgotten ho! little he )ne! a(out his o!n a##airs at all+ his !as a $er%



di##erent condition #rom that o# one !ho had closed his e%es and hardened his heart to sus"icionsconcerning himsel#. *is e%es had ne$er %et (een o"ened to an%thing (ut the order o# things in themone% !orldits la!s& its "enalties& its re!ardsthose he did understand. 'ut a""arentl% he !as!orth trou(ling. A slo! dissatis#action !as no! "re%ing u"on hima sense o# !anto# notha$ing something he once had& a $ague discom#ort& gro!ing restless. This #eeling !as no dou(t

the !orse that the (irth o# the child had (rought such a sudden rush o# #resh interest into hisoccu"ation& !hich dou(t concerning that (irth had again so suddenl% chec)ed+ (ut e$en i# thechild should "ro$e a#ter all his o!n& a su""osition he !as no! !illing to admit as "ossi(l% a trueone& he could ne$er !ithout his mother #eel an% enthusiasm a(out him& e$en such enthusiasm asmight (e allo!ed to a man !ho )ne! mone% #rom moonshine& and common sense #romh%sterics. Bet once and again& a(out this time& the nurse coming into the room a#ter a #e!minutes4 a(sence& #ound him (ending o$er the slee"ing in#ant& and& as she descri(ed him&-loo)ing as i# he !ould ha$e cried i# he had onl% )no!n ho!.-

ne #rost% e$ening in late autumn the #orsa)en hus(and came #rom ;ondonI dou(t i# he !ouldno! ha$e said -home-as usual& on the to" o# the omni(us. *is !as a tough nature "h%sicall%& as

!ell as morall%& and i# he had #ound himsel# inside an omni(us he !ould ha$e thought he !asgoing to die. The sun !as do!n. A green hue rose #rom the hori5on hal#!a% to the 5enith& (ut a "ale %ello! lingered o$er the $anished sun& li)e the gold at the (ottom o# a chr%solite. The stars!ere t!in)ling small and shar" in the a5ure o$erhead. A cold !ind (le! in little gusts& no! #romthis side& no! #rom that& as the% !ent steadil% along. The horses4 hoo#s rang loud on the hardroad. The night got hold o# him: it !as at this season& and on nights li)e these& that he hadhaunted the house o# ;uc%4s #ather& doing his (est to "ersuade her to ma)e him& as he said& aha""% man. It no! seemed as i# then& and then onl%& he had (een a ha""% man. Certainl%& o# allhis li#e& it !as the time !hen he came nearest to ha$ing a "ee" out o# the u""er !indo!s o# thehouse o# li#e. *e had (een a d!eller in the lo!er regions& a he!er o# !ood to the god o# thecellar+ and a#ter his marriage& he had gone straight do!n again to the tem"le o# the earth% godtoa !orshi" !hose god and tem"le and treasure ca$es !ill one da% dro" suddenl% #rom under the$otar%4s #eet& and lea$e him dangling in the air !ithout e$en a "oc)et a(out him!ithout e$enhis (an)er4s (oo) to sho! #or his res"ecta(ilit%.

The night& I sa%& recalled the lo$el% season o# his courtshi"& and again& in the mirror o# loss& hecaught a glim"se o# things (e%ond him. Ah& i# onl% that time and its ho"es had remained !ithhim@ *o! di##erent things !ould ha$e (een no!@ I# ;uc% had "ro$ed !hat he thought her@remained !hat she seemedthe gentle& com"laisant& %ielding lad% he imagined her& "romisinghim a li#e o# (liss@ Alas& she !ould not e$en )ee" account o# #i$e "ounds a !ee) to "lease him@*e ne$er thought !hether he& on his "art& might not ha$e& in some measure& come short o# here2"ectations in a hus(and+ !hether she& the more lo$el% in in!ard design and out!ard #ashion&might not ha$e indulged %et more e2,uisite dreams o# (liss !hich& (% de$otion to his ideal o#li#e& he had done his "art in disa""ointing. *e onl% thought !hat a #oolishness it all !as+ thatthus it !ould go on to the end o# the (oo)+ that %outh a#ter %outh !ould ha$e his turn o# such a!ooing& and such a disa""ointment. 9unsets& indeed@ The suns o# man4s ha""iness ne$er didan%thing (ut set@ ut o# mone% e$enand !ho could sa% there !as an% "oetr% in thatthere!as not hal# the satis#action to (e got that one e2"ected. It !as all a mess o# e2"ectations anddisa""ointments mashed u" togethernothing more. That !as the !orldon a #air ?udgment.



9uch !ere his re#lections till the dri$er "ulled u" #or him to get do!n at his o!n gate. As he gotdo!n the said dri$er glanced u" curiousl% at the ro! o# !indo!s on the #irst #loor& and as soon asMr. Dem"ster4s (ac) !as turned& "ointed to them !ith the (uttend o# his !hi"& and nodded,ueerl% to the gentleman !ho sat on his other side.

-That4s more4n I4$e seen this si2 !ee)s&- he said. -There4s something more4n common u" thise$enin4& sir.-

There !as light in the dra!ingroomthat !as all the !onder+ (ut at those !indo!s Mr.Dem"ster himsel# loo)ed so #i2edl% that he had nearl% stum(led u" his o!n doorste"s.

*e carried a latch)e% no!& #or he did not care to stand at the door till the (o% ans!ered the (ell+ "eo"le4s e%es& as the% "assed& seemed to (urn holes in the (ac) o# his coat.

*e o"ened the street door ,uietl%& and !ent straight u" the stair to the dra!ingroom. 3erha"s hethought to detect some li(ert% ta)en (% his ser$ants. *e !as a little earlier than usual. *e o"ened

that door& too) t!o ste"s into the room& and stood arrested& motionless. /ith his sha((% hat onhis head& his sha((% greatcoat on his (ac)#or he grudged e$er% "enn% s"ent on his clotheshisarms hanging do!n (% his sides& and his )nees (ent& read% to trem(le& he loo)ed not a little outo# )ee"ing in the so#tlighted& daint%& delicatehued dra!ingroom. Could he (elie$e his e%esThe light o# a large lam" !as centred u"on a gracious #igure in !hitehis !i#e& ?ust as he used tosee her (e#ore he married her@ That !as the !a% her hair !ould (rea) loose as she ran do!n thestair to meet him@onl% then there !as no (a(% in her la" #or it to #ull o$er li)e a torrent o#unlighted !ater o$er a !hite stone@ It !as a lo$el% sight.

*e had stood (ut a moment !hen she loo)ed u" and sa! him. 9he started& (ut ga$e no cr% louder than a little moan. Instantl% she rose. Turning& she laid the (a(% on the so#a& and #litted to himli)e a !raith. Arri$ed !here he stood %et motionless& she #ell u"on her )nees and clas"ed his. *e!as #ar too (e!ildered no! to as) himsel# !hat hus(ands did in such circumstances& and stoodli)e a (loc).

-*us(and@ hus(and@- she cried& -#orgi$e me.- /ith one hand she hid her #ace& although it !as (ent to the ground& and !ith the other held u" to him a (it o# "a"er. *e too) it #rom the thin!hite #ingers+ it might e2"lain somethinghel" him out o# this (e!ilderment& hal# nightmare&hal# hea$enl% $ision. *e o"ened it. >othing (ut a hundred"ound note@ The #amiliar sight o# (an) "a"er& ho!e$er& seemed to restore his s"eech.

-/hat does this mean& ;uc% ="on m% !ord@ 3ermit me to sa%-

*e !as gro!ing angr%.

-It is to "a% the (utcher&- she said& !ith a #altering $oice.

-Damn the (utcher@- he cried. -I ho"e %ou4$e got something else to sa% to me@ /here ha$e %ou (een all this time-



-At m% mother4s. I4$e had a (rain #e$er& and (een out o# m% mind. It !as all a(out the (utcher4s (ill.-

Dem"ster stared. 3erha"s he could not understand ho! a !oman !ho !ould not )ee" accountsshould (e to such a degree trou(led at the result o# her neglect.

-;oo) at me& i# %ou don4t (elie$e me&- she cried& and as she s"o)e she rose and li#ted her #ace tohis.

*e ga5ed at it #or a moment"ale& thin& and !orn+ and out o# it shone the (eauti#ul e%es& largerthan (e#ore& (ut shimmering uncertain li)e the stars o# a humid night& although the% loo)edstraight into his.

9omething ,ueer !as suddenl% the matter !ith his throatsomething he had ne$er #elt (e#oreaconstriction such as& had he (een su"erstitious& he might ha$e ta)en #or the "rologue to a ro"e.Then the thought came!hat a (rute he must (e that his !i#e should ha$e (een a#raid to tell him

her trou(le@ Thereu"on he tried to s"ea)& (ut his throat !as irres"onsi$e to his !ill. $e4s a""le)e"t sliding u" and do!n in it& and !ould not let the !ords out. *e had ne$er (een so ser$ed (%mem(ers o# his o!n (od% in his li#e (e#ore@ It !as "ositi$e re(ellion& and !ould get him intotrou(le !ith his !i#e. There it !as@ Didn4t he sa% so

-Can4t %ou #orgi$e me& Mr. Dem"ster- she said& and the $oice !as so s!eet and so sad@ -It is m%o!n mone%. Aunt ;uc% is dead& and le#t it me. I thin) it !ill (e enough to "a% all m% de(ts+ and I "romise %ouI do "romise %ou that I !ill set do!n e$er% hal#"enn% a#ter this. Do tr% me onceagain#or (a(%4s sa)e.-

This last !as a sudden thought. 9he turned and ran to the so#a. Dem"ster stood !here he !as&#ighting the strange uncom#orta(le #eeling in his throat. It !ould not %ield a ?ot. /as he going todie suddenl% o# cho)ing /as it a ?udgment u"on him Di"htheria& "erha"s@ It !as much a(outin the Cit%@

9he !as (ac)& and holding u" to him their slee"ing child.

The "oor #ello! !as not hal# the (rute he loo)edonl% he could 0not0 tell !hat to do !ith thatcon#ounded lum" in his throat@ *e dared not tr% to s"ea)& #or it onl% cho)ed him the more. *e "ut his arms round them (oth& and "ressed them to his (osom. Then& the lum" in his throatmelted and ran out at his e%es& and all dou(t $anished li)e a mist (e#ore the sun. 'ut he ne$er)ne! that he had !e"t. *is !i#e did& and that !as enough.

The ne2t morning& #or the #irst time in his li#e& he lost the eight o4cloc) omni(us.

The #ollo!ing Monda% morning she (rought her !ee)4s account to him. *e turned #rom it testil%& (ut she insisted on his going o$er it. There !as not the mista)e o# a hal#"enn%. *e !ent to to!n!ith a smile in his heart& and that night (rought her home a che,ue #or ten "ounds instead o# #i$e.



ne da%& in the middle o# the same !ee)& he came u"on her sitting o$er the little (lueandredruled (oo) !ith a trou(led countenance. 9he too) no notice o# his entrance.

-Do lea$e those accounts&- he said& -and attend to me.-

9he shoo) her head im"atientl%& and made him no other ans!er. ne moment more& ho!e$er&and she started u"& thre! her arms a(out his nec)& and cried trium"hantl%&

-It4s (uttons@#our"encehal#"enn% I "aid #or (uttons@-

The Castle

n the to" o# a high cli##& #orming "art o# the (ase o# a great mountain& stood a lo#t% castle. /henor ho! it !as (uilt& no man )ne!+ nor could an% one "retend to understand its architecture.$er% one !ho loo)ed u"on it #elt that it !as lordl% and no(le+ and !here one "art seemed not to

agree !ith another& the !ise and modest dared not to call them incongruous& (ut "resumed thatthe !hole might (e constructed on some higher "rinci"le o# architecture than the% %etunderstood. /hat hel"ed them to this conclusion !as& that no one had e$er seen the !hole o# theedi#ice+ that& e$en o# the "ortion (est )no!n& some "art or other !as al!a%s !ra""ed in thic)#olds o# mist #rom the mountain+ and that& !hen the sun shone u"on this mist& the "arts o# the (uilding that a""eared through the $a"orous $eil !ere strangel% glori#ied in their indistinctness&so that the% seemed to (elong to some aerial a(ode in the land o# the sunset+ and the (eholderscould hardl% tell !hether the% had e$er seen them (e#ore& or !hether the% !ere no! #or the #irsttime "artiall% re$ealed.

>or& although it !as inha(ited& could certain in#ormation (e "rocured as to its internalconstruction. Those !ho d!elt in it o#ten disco$ered rooms the% had ne$er entered (e#ore%ea&once or t!ice&!hole suites o# a"artments& o# !hich onl% dim legends had (een handed do!n#rom #ormer times. 9ome o# them e2"ected to #ind& one da%& secret "laces& #illed !ith treasures o# !ondrous ?e!els+ amongst !hich the% ho"ed to light u"on 9olomon4s ring& !hich had #or agesdisa""eared #rom the earth& (ut !hich had controlled the s"irits& and the "ossession o# !hichmade a man sim"l% !hat a man should (e& the )ing o# the !orld. >o! and then& a narro!&!inding stair& hitherto untrodden& !ould (ring them #orth on a ne! turret& !hence ne! "ros"ectso# the circum?acent countr% !ere s"read out (e#ore them. *o! man% more o# these there might (e& or ho! much lo#tier& no one could tell. >or could the #oundations o# the castle in the roc) on!hich it !as (uilt (e determined !ith the smallest a""roach to "recision. Those o# the #amil%!ho had gi$en themsel$es to e2"loring in that direction& #ound such a la(%rinth o# $aults and "assages& and endless successions o# do!ngoing stairs& out o# one underground s"ace into a %etlo!er& that the% came to the conclusion that at least the !hole mountain !as "er#orated andhone%com(ed in this #ashion. The% had a dim consciousness& too& o# the "resence& in those a!#ulregions& o# (eings !hom the% could not com"rehend. nce the% came u"on the (rin) o# a great (lac) gul#& in !hich the e%e could see nothing (ut dar)ness: the% recoiled !ith horror+ #or thecon$iction #lashed u"on them that that gul# !ent do!n into the $er% central s"aces o# the earth&o# !hich the% had hitherto (een !andering onl% in the u""er crust+ na%& that the seething



(lac)ness (e#ore them had relations m%sterious& and (e%ond human com"rehension& !ith the #aro## $oids o# s"ace& into !hich the stars dare not enter.

At the #oot o# the cli## !hereon the castle stood& la% a dee" la)e& inaccessi(le sa$e (% a #e!a$enues& (eing surrounded on all sides !ith "reci"ices !hich made the !ater loo) $er% (lac)&

although it !as "ure as the nights)%. From a door in the castle& !hich !as not to (e other!iseentered& a (road #light o# ste"s& cut in the roc)& !ent do!n to the la)e& and disa""eared (elo! itssur#ace. 9ome thought the ste"s !ent to the $er% (ottom o# the !ater.

>o! in this castle there d!elt a large #amil% o# (rothers and sisters. The% had ne$er seen their#ather or mother. The %ounger had (een educated (% the elder& and these (% an unseen care andministration& a(out the sources o# !hich the% had& someho! or other& trou(led themsel$es $er%little#or !hat "eo"le are accustomed to& the% regard as coming #rom no(od%+ as i# hel" and "rogress and ?o% and lo$e !ere the natural cro"s o# Chaos or old >ight. 'ut Tradition said thatone da%it !as utterl% uncertain 0!hen0their #ather !ould come& and lea$e them no more+ #orhe !as still ali$e& though !here he li$ed no(od% )ne!. In the meantime all the rest had to o(e%

their eldest (rother& and listen to his counsels.

'ut almost all the #amil% !as $er% #ond o# li(ert%& as the% called it+ and li)ed to run u" and do!n&hither and thither& ro$ing a(out& !ith neither la! nor order& ?ust as the% "leased. 9o the% couldnot endure their (rother4s t%rann%& as the% called it. At one time the% said that he !as onl% one o#themsel$es& and there#ore the% !ould not o(e% him+ at another& that he !as not li)e them& andcould not understand them& and 0there#ore0 the% !ould not o(e% him. Bet& sometimes& !hen hecame and loo)ed them #ull in the #ace& the% !ere terri#ied& and dared not diso(e%& #or he !asstatel% and stern and strong. >ot one o# them lo$ed him heartil%& e2ce"t the eldest sister& !ho !as$er% (eauti#ul and silent& and !hose e%es shone as i# light la% some!here dee" (ehind them.$en she& although she lo$ed him& thought him $er% hard sometimes+ #or !hen he had once saida thing "lainl%& he could not (e "ersuaded to thin) it o$er again. 9o e$en she #orgot himsometimes& and !ent her o!n !a%s& and en?o%ed hersel# !ithout him. Most o# them regardedhim as a sort o# !atchman& !hose (usiness it !as to )ee" them in order+ and so the% !ereindignant and disli)ed him. Bet the% all had a secret #eeling that the% ought to (e su(?ect to him+and a#ter an% "articular act o# disregard& none o# them could thin)& !ith an% "eace& o# the oldstor% a(out the return o# their #ather to his house. 'ut indeed the% ne$er thought much a(out it&or a(out their #ather at all+ #or ho! could those !ho cared so little #or their (rother& !hom the%sa! e$er% da%& care #or their #ather !hom the% had ne$er seenne chie# cause o# com"laintagainst him !as that he inter#ered !ith their #a$ourite studies and "ursuits+ !hereas he onl%sought to ma)e them gi$e u" tri#ling !ith earnest things& and see) #or truth& and not #oramusement& #rom the man% !onders around them. *e did not !ant them to turn to other studies&or to esche! "leasures+ (ut& in those studies& to see) the highest things most& and other things in "ro"ortion to their true !orth and no(leness. This could not #ail to (e distaste#ul to those !ho didnot care #or !hat !as higher than the%. And so matters !ent on #or a time. The% thought the%could do (etter !ithout their (rother+ and their (rother )ne! the% could not do at all !ithout him&and tried to #ul#il the charge committed into his hands.

At length& one da%& #or the thought seemed to stri)e them simultaneousl%& the% con#erred together a(out gi$ing a great entertainment in their grandest rooms to an% o# their neigh(ours !ho chose



to come& or indeed to an% inha(itants o# the earth or air !ho !ould $isit them. The% !ere too "roud to re#lect that some com"an% might de#ile e$en the d!ellers in !hat !as undou(tedl% the#inest "alace on the #ace o# the earth. 'ut !hat made the thing !orse& !as& that the old traditionsaid that these rooms !ere to (e )e"t entirel% #or the use o# the o!ner o# the castle. And& indeed&!hene$er the% entered them& such !as the e##ect o# their lo#tiness and grandeur u"on their minds&

that the% al!a%s thought o# the old stor%& and could not hel" (elie$ing it. >or !ould the (rother "ermit them to #orget it no!+ (ut& a""earing suddenl% amongst them& !hen the% had noe2"ectation o# (eing interru"ted (% him& he re(u)ed them& (oth #or the indiscriminate nature o#their in$itation& and #or the intention o# introducing an% one& not to s"ea) o# some !ho !oulddou(tless ma)e their a""earance on the e$ening in ,uestion& into the rooms )e"t sacred #or theuse o# the un)no!n #ather. 'ut (% this time their tal) !ith each other had so e2cited theire2"ectations o# en?o%ment& !hich had "re$iousl% (een strong enough& that anger s"rung u"!ithin them at the thought o# (eing de"ri$ed o# their ho"es& and the% loo)ed each other in thee%es+ and the loo) said: -/e are man% and he is onelet us get rid o# him& #or he is al!a%s#inding #ault& and th!arting us in the most innocent "leasures+as i# !e !ould !ish to doan%thing !rong@- 9o !ithout a !ord s"o)en& the% rushed u"on him+ and although he !as

stronger than an% o# them& and struggled hard at #irst& %et the% o$ercame him at last. Indeed someo# them thought he %ielded to their $iolence long (e#ore the% had the master% o# him+ and this$er% su(mission terri#ied the more tenderhearted amongst them. *o!e$er& the% (ound him+carried him do!n man% stairs& and& ha$ing remem(ered an iron sta"le in the !all o# a certain$ault& !ith a thic) rust% chain attached to it& the% (ore him thither& and made the chain #astaround him. There the% le#t him& shutting the great gnarring (ra5en door o# the $ault& as the%de"arted #or the u""er regions o# the castle.

>o! all !as in a tumult o# "re"aration. $er% one !as tal)ing o# the coming #esti$it%+ (ut no ones"o)e o# the deed the% had done. A sudden "aleness o$ers"read the #ace& no! o# one& and no! o#another+ (ut it "assed a!a%& and no one too) an% notice o# it+ the% onl% "lied the tas) o# themoment the more energeticall%. Messengers !ere sent #ar and near& not to indi$iduals or #amilies& (ut "u(lishing in all "laces o# concourse a general in$itation to an% !ho chose to come on acertain da%& and "arta)e #or certain succeeding da%s o# the hos"italit% o# the d!ellers in thecastle. Man% !ere the "re"arations immediatel% (egun #or com"l%ing !ith the in$itation. 'ut theno(lest o# their neigh(ours re#used to a""ear+ not #rom "ride& (ut (ecause o# the unsuita(lenessand carelessness o# such a mode. /ith some o# them it !as an old condition in the tenure o# their estates& that the% should go to no one4s d!elling e2ce"t $isited in "erson& and e2"ressl% solicited.thers& )no!ing !hat sort o# "ersons !ould (e there& and that& #rom a certain "h%sical anti"ath%&the% could scarcel% (reathe in their com"an%& made u" their minds at once not to go. Betmultitudes& man% o# them (eauti#ul and innocent as !ell as ga%& resol$ed to a""ear.

Mean!hile the great rooms o# the castle !ere got in readinessthat is& the% "roceeded to de#acethem !ith decorations+ #or there !as a solemnit% and stateliness a(out them in their ordinar%condition& !hich !as at once #elt to (e unsuita(le #or the lighthearted com"an% so soon to mo$ea(out in them !ith the sel#same carelessness !ith !hich men !al) a(road !ithin the greathea$ens and hills and clouds. ne da%& !hile the !or)men !ere (us%& the eldest sister& o# !homI ha$e alread% s"o)en& ha""ened to enter& she )ne! not !h%. 9uddenl% the great idea o# themight% halls da!ned u"on her& and #illed her soul. The socalled decorations $anished #rom her$ie!& and she #elt as i# she stood in her #ather4s "resence. 9he !as at one ele$ated and hum(led.



As suddenl% the idea #aded and #led& and she (eheld (ut the gaud% #estoons and dra"eries and "aintings !hich dis#igured the grandeur. 9he !e"t and s"ed a!a%. >o! it !as too late tointer#ere& and things must ta)e their course. 9he !ould ha$e (een (ut a Cassandra"ro"hetess tothose !ho sa! (ut the "leasure (e#ore them. 9he had not (een "resent !hen her (rother !asim"risoned+ and indeed #or some da%s had (een so !ra"t in her o!n (usiness& that she had ta)en

(ut little heed o# an%thing that !as going on. 'ut the% all e2"ected her to sho! hersel# !hen thecom"an% !as gathered+ and the% had a""lied to her #or ad$ice at $arious times during theiro"erations.

At length the e2"ected hour arri$ed& and the com"an% (egan to assem(le. It !as a !arm summere$ening. The dar) la)e re#lected the rosecoloured clouds in the !est& and through the #lushro!ed man% gail% "ainted (oats& !ith $arious coloured #lags& to!ards the mass% roc) on !hichthe castle stood. The trees and #lo!ers seemed alread% aslee"& and (reathing #orth their s!eetdream(reath. ;aughter and lo! $oices rose #rom the (reast o# the la)e to the ears o# the %outhsand maidens loo)ing #orth e2"ectant #rom the lo#t% !indo!s. The% !ent do!n to the (road "lat#orm at the to" o# the stairs in #ront o# the door to recei$e their $isitors. '% degrees the

#esti$ities o# the e$ening commenced. The same smiles #le! #orth (oth at e%es and li"s& dartingli)e (eams through the gathering cro!d. Music& #rom unseen sources& no! rolled in (illo!s& no!cre"t in ri""les through the sea o# air that #illed the lo#t% rooms. And in the dancing halls& !henhand too) hand& and #orm and motion !ere moulded and s!a%ed (% the ind!elling music& itgo$erned not these alone& (ut& as the ruling s"irit o# the "lace& e$er% ne! (urst o# music #or ane! dance s!e"t (e#ore it a ne! and accordant odour& and d%ed the #lames that glo!ed in thelo#t% lam"s !ith a ne! and accordant stain. The #loors (ent (eneath the #eet o# the time)ee"ingdancers. 'ut t!ice in the e$ening some o# the inmates started& and the "allor occasionall%common to the household o$ers"read their #aces& #or the% #elt underneath them a countermotionto the dance& as i# the #loor rose slightl% to ans!er their #eet. And all the time their (rother la% (elo! in the dungeon& li)e ohn the 'a"tist in the castle o# *erod& !hen the lords and ca"tainssat around& and the daughter o# *erodias danced (e#ore them. utside& all around the castle& (rooded the dar) night unheeded+ #or the clouds had come u" #rom all sides& and !ere cro!dingtogether o$erhead. In the un#re,uent "auses o# the music& the% might ha$e heard& no! and then&the gust% rush o# a lonel% !ind& coming and going no one could )no! !hence or !hither& (ornand d%ing une2"ected and unregarded.

'ut !hen the #esti$ities !ere at their height& !hen the e2ternal and "assing con#idence !hich is "roduced (et!een su"er#icial natures (% a common "leasure !as at the #ull& a sudden crash o#thunder ,uelled the music& as the thunder ,uells the noise o# the u"li#ted sea. The !indo!s !eredri$en in& and torrents o# rain& carried in the #olds o# a rushing !ind& "oured into the halls. Thelights !ere s!e"t a!a%+ and the great rooms& no! dar) !ithin& !ere dar)ened %et more (% theda55ling shoots o# #lame #rom the $ault o# (lac)ness o$erhead. Those that $entured to loo) out o# the !indo!s sa!& in the (lue (rillianc% o# the ,uic)#ollo!ing ?ets o# lightning& the la)e at the#oot o# the roc)& ordinaril% so still and so dar)& lighted u"& not on the sur#ace onl%& (ut do!n tohal# its de"th+ so that& as it tossed in the !ind& li)e a tortured sea o# !rithing #lames& orincandescent hal#molten ser"ents o# (rass& the% could not tell !hether a strong "hos"horescencedid not issue #rom the trans"arent (od% o# the !aters& as i# earth and s)% lightened together& oneconsenting source o# #laming utterance.



9ad !as the condition o# the late "lastic mass o# li$ing #orm that had #lo!ed into sha"e at the!ill and la! o# the music. 'ro)en into indi$iduals& the common trans#using s"irit !ithdra!n&the% stood drenched& cold& and (enum(ed& !ith clinging garments+ light& order& harmon%& "ur"osede"arted& and chaos restored+ the issuings o# li#e turned (ac) on their sources& chill% and dead.And in e$er% heart reigned the #alsest o# des"airing con$ictions& that this !as the onl% realit%&

and that !as (ut a dream. The eldest sister stood !ith clas"ed hands and do!n(ent head&shi$ering and s"eechless& as i# !aiting #or something to #ollo!. >or did she !ait long. A terri(le#lash and thunder"eal made the castle roc)+ and in the "ausing silence that #ollo!ed& her ,uic)sense heard the rattling o# a chain #ar o##& dee" do!n+ and soon the sound o# hea$% #ootste"s&accom"anied !ith the clan)ing o# iron& reached her ear. 9he #elt that her (rother !as at hand.$en in the dar)ness& and amidst the (ello!ing o# another dee"(osomed cloudmonster& she)ne! that he had entered the room. A moment a#ter& a continuous "ulsation o# angr% (lue light (egan& !hich& lasting #or some moments& re$ealed him standing amidst them& gaunt& haggard&and motionless+ his hair and (eard untrimmed& his #ace ghastl%& his e%es large and hollo!. Thelight seemed to gather around him as a centre. Indeed some (elie$ed that it thro((ed and radiated#rom his "erson& and not #rom the storm% hea$ens a(o$e them. The lightning had rent the !all o#

his "rison& and released the iron sta"le o# his chain& !hich he had !ound a(out him li)e a girdle.In his hand he carried an iron #etter(ar& !hich he had #ound on the #loor o# the $ault. Moreterri#ied at his as"ect than at all the $iolence o# the storm& the $isitors& !ith man% a shrie) andcr%& rushed out into the tem"estuous night. '% degrees& the storm died a!a%. Its last #lashre$ealed the #orms o# the (rothers and sisters l%ing "rostrate& !ith their #aces on the #loor& andthat #ear#ul sha"e standing motionless amidst them still.

Morning da!ned& and there the% la%& and there he stood. 'ut at a !ord #rom him& the% arose and!ent a(out their $arious duties& though listlessl% enough. The eldest sister !as the last to rise+and !hen she did& it !as onl% (% a terri(le e##ort that she !as a(le to reach her room& !here she#ell again on the #loor. There she remained l%ing #or da%s. The (rother caused the doors o# thegreat suite o# rooms to (e closed& lea$ing them ?ust as the% !ere& !ith all the childish adornmentscattered a(out& and the rain still #alling in through the shattered !indo!s. -Thus let them lie&-said he& -till the rain and #rost ha$e cleansed them o# "aint and dra"er%: no storm can hurt the "illars and arches o# these halls.-

The hours o# this da% !ent hea$il%. The storm !as gone& (ut the rain !as le#t+ the "assion hadde"arted& (ut the tears remained (ehind. Dull and dar) the lo! mist% clouds (rooded o$er thecastle and the la)e& and shut out all the neigh(ourhood. $en i# the% had clim(ed to the lo#tiest)no!n turret& the% !ould ha$e #ound it s!athed in a garment o# clinging $a"our& a##ording nore#reshment to the e%e& and no ho"e to the heart. There !as one lo#t% to!er that rose sheer ahundred #eet a(o$e the rest& and #rom !hich the #og could ha$e (een seen l%ing in a gre% mass (eneath+ (ut that to!er the% had not %et disco$ered& nor another close (eside it& the to" o# !hich!as ne$er seen& nor could (e& #or the highest clouds o# hea$en clustered continuall% around it.The rain #ell continuousl%& though not hea$il%& !ithout+ and !ithin& too& there !ere clouds #rom!hich dro""ed the tears !hich are the rain o# the s"irit. All the good o# li#e seemed #or the timede"arted& and their souls li$ed (ut as lea#less trees that had #orgotten the ?o% o# the summer& and!hom no !ind "ro"hetic o# s"ring had %et $isited. The% mo$ed a(out mechanicall%& and had notstrength enough le#t to !ish to die.



The ne2t da% the clouds !ere higher& and a little !ind (le! through such loo"holes in the turretsas the #alse im"ro$ements o# the inmates had not %et #illed !ith glass& shutting out& as the storm&so the serene $isitings o# the hea$ens. Throughout the da%& the (rother too) $arious o""ortunitieso# addressing a gentle command& no! to one and no! to another o# his #amil%. It !as o(e%ed insilence. The !ind (le! #resher through the loo"holes and the shattered !indo!s o# the great

rooms& and #ound its !a%& (% un)no!n "assages& to #aces and e%es hot !ith !ee"ing. It cooledand (lessed them./hen the sun arose the ne2t da%& it !as in a clear s)%.

'% degrees& e$er%thing #ell into the regularit% o# su(ordination. /ith the su(ordination cameincrease o# #reedom. The ste"s o# the more %outh#ul o# the #amil% !ere heard on the stairs and inthe corridors more light and ,uic) than e$er (e#ore. Their (rother had lost the terrors o# as"ect "roduced (% his con#inement& and his commands !ere issued more gentl%& and o#tener !ith asmile& than in all their "re$ious histor%. '% degrees his "resence !as uni$ersall% #elt through thehouse. It !as no sur"rise to an% one at his studies& to see him (% his side !hen he li#ted u" hise%es& though he had not (e#ore )no!n that he !as in the room. And although some dread stillremained& it !as ra"idl% $anishing (e#ore the ad$ances o# a #irm #riendshi". /ithout

immediatel% ordering their la(ours& he al!a%s in#luenced them& and o#ten altered their directionand o(?ects. The change soon e$ident in the household !as remar)a(le. A sim"ler& no(lere2"ression !as $isi(le on all the countenances. The $oices o# the men !ere dee"er& and %etseemed (% their $er% de"th more #eminine than (e#ore+ !hile the $oices o# the !omen !ereso#ter and s!eeter& and at the same time more #ull and decided. >o! the e%es had o#ten ane2"ression as i# their sight !as a(sor(ed in the ga5e o# the in!ard e%es+ and !hen the e%es o#t!o met& there "assed (et!een those e%es the utterance o# a con$iction that (oth meant the samething. 'ut the change !as& o# course& to (e seen more clearl%& though not more e$identl%& inindi$iduals.

ne o# the (rothers& #or instance& !as $er% #ond o# astronom%. *e had his o(ser$ator% on a lo#t%to!er& !hich stood "rett% clear o# the others& to!ards the north and east. 'ut hitherto& hisastronom%& as he had called it& had (een more o# the character o# astrolog%. #ten& too& he mightha$e (een seen directing a hea$ensearching telesco"e to catch the ra"id transit o# a #ier%shootingstar& (elonging altogether to the earthl% atmos"here& and not to the serene hea$ens. *ehad to learn that the signs o# the air are not the signs o# the s)ies. >a%& once& his (rother sur"risedhim in the act o# e2amining through his longest tu(e a "atch o# (urning heath u"on a distant hill.'ut no! he !as diligent #rom morning till night in the stud% o# the la!s o# the truth that has todo !ith stars+ and !hen the curtain o# the sunlight !as a(out to rise #rom (e#ore the hea$enl%!orlds !hich it had hidden all da% long& he might (e seen "re"aring his instruments !ith thatsolemn countenance !ith !hich it (ecometh one to loo) into the m%sterious harmonies o# >ature. >o! he learned !hat la! and order and truth are& !hat consent and harmon% mean+ ho!the indi$idual ma% #ind his o!n end in a higher end& !here la! and #reedom mean the samething& and the "urest certaint% e2ists !ithout the slightest constraint. Thus he stood on the earth&and loo)ed to the hea$ens.

Another& !ho had (een much gi$en to searching out the hollo! "laces and recesses in the#oundations o# the castle& and !ho !as o#ten to (e #ound !ith com"ass and ruler !or)ing a!a%at a chart o# the same !hich he had (een in "rocess o# constructing& no! came to the conclusion&that onl% (% ascending the u""er regions o# his a(ode could he (ecome ca"a(le o# understanding



!hat la% (eneath+ and that& in all "ro(a(ilit%& one clear "ros"ect& #rom the to" o# the highestattaina(le turret& o$er the castle as it la% (elo!& !ould re$eal more o# the idea o# its internalconstruction& than a %ear s"ent in !andering through its su(terranean $aults. 'ut the #act !as&that the desire to ascend !a)ening !ithin him had made him #orget !hat !as (eneath+ andha$ing laid aside his chart #or a time at least& he !as no! to (e met in e$er% ,uarter o# the u""er

"arts& searching and stri$ing u"!ard& no! in one direction& no! in another+ and see)ing& as he!ent& the (est outloo)s into the clear air o# outer realities.

And the% (egan to disco$er that the% !ere all meditating di##erent as"ects o# the same thing+ andthe% (rought together their $arious disco$eries& and recognised the li)eness (et!een them+ andthe one thing o#ten e2"lained the other& and com(ining !ith it hel"ed to a third. The% gre! inconse,uence more and more #riendl% and lo$ing+ so that e$er% no! and then one turned toanother and said& as in sur"rise& -/h%& %ou are m% (rother@--/h%& %ou are m% sister@- And %etthe% had al!a%s )no!n it.

The change reached to all. ne& !ho li$ed on the air o# s!eet sounds& and !ho !as almost

al!a%s to (e #ound seated (% her har" or some other instrument& had& till the late storm& (eengenerall% merr% and "la%#ul& though sometimes sad. 'ut #or a long time a#ter that& she !as o#ten#ound !ee"ing& and "la%ing little sim"le airs !hich she had heard in childhood(ac)!ardlongings& #ollo!ed (% #resh tears. 'e#ore long& ho!e$er& a ne! element mani#ested itsel# in hermusic. It (ecame %et more !ild& and sometimes retained all its sadness& (ut it !as mingled !ithantici"ation and ho"e. The "ast and the #uture merged in one+ and !hile memor% %et (rought theraincloud& e2"ectation thre! the rain(o! across its (osomand all !as uttered in her music&!hich rose and s!elled& no! to de#iance& no! to $ictor%+ then died in a torrent o# !ee"ing.

As to the eldest sister& it !as man% da%s (e#ore she reco$ered #rom the shoc). At length& one da%&her (rother came to her& too) her (% the hand& led her to an o"en !indo!& and told her to seathersel# (% it& and loo) out. 9he did so+ (ut at #irst sa! nothing more than an uns%m"athising (la5e o# sunlight. 'ut as she loo)ed& the hori5on !idened out& and the dome o# the s)% ascended&till the grandeur sei5ed u"on her soul& and she #ell on her )nees and !e"t. >o! the hea$ensseemed to (end lo$ingl% o$er her& and to stretch out !ide cloudarms to em(race her+ the earthla% li)e the (osom o# an in#inite lo$e (eneath her& and the !ind )issed her chee) !ith an odouro# roses. 9he s"rang to her #eet& and turned& in an agon% o# ho"e& e2"ecting to (ehold the #ace o#the #ather& (ut there stood onl% her (rother& loo)ing calml% though lo$ingl% on her emotion. 9heturned again to the !indo!. n the hillto"s rested the s)%: *ea$en and arth !ere one+ and the "ro"hec% a!o)e in her soul& that #rom (et!i2t them !ould the ste"s o# the #ather a""roach.

*itherto she had seen (ut 'eaut%+ no! she (eheld Truth. #ten had she loo)ed on such clouds asthese& and lo$ed the strange ethereal cur$es into !hich the !inds moulded them+ and had smiledas her little "et sister told her !hat curious animals she sa! in them& and tried to "oint them outto her. >o! the% !ere as troo"s o# angels& ?u(ilant o$er her ne! (irth& #or the% sang& in her soul&o# (eaut%& and truth& and lo$e. 9he loo)ed do!n& and her little sister )nelt (eside her.

9he !as a curious child& !ith (lac)& glittering e%es& and dar) hair+ at the merc% o# e$er%!andering !ind+ a #rolicsome& daring girl& !ho laughed more than she smiled. 9he !as generall%in attendance on her sister& and !as al!a%s #inding and (ringing her strange things. 9he ne$er



"ulled a "rimrose& (ut she )ne! the haunts o# all the orchis tri(e& and (rought #rom them (eesand (utter#lies innumera(le& as o##erings to her sister. Curious moths and glo!!orms !ere hergreatest delight+ and she lo$ed the stars& (ecause the% !ere li)e the glo!!orms. 'ut the changehad a##ected her too+ #or her sister sa! that her e%es had lost their glittering loo)& and had (ecome more li,uid and trans"arent. And #rom that time she o#ten o(ser$ed that her gaiet% !as

more gentle& her smile more #re,uent& her laugh less (ellli)e+ and although she !as as !ild ase$er& there !as more elegance in her motions& and more music in her $oice. And she clung to hersister !ith #ar greater #ondness than (e#ore.

The land re"osed in the em(race o# the !arm summer da%s. The clouds o# hea$en nestled aroundthe to!ers o# the castle+ and the hearts o# its inmates (ecame conscious o# a !arm atmos"hereo# a "resence o# lo$e. The% (egan to #eel li)e the children o# a household& !hen the mother is athome. Their #aces and #orms gre! dail% more and more (eauti#ul& till the% !ondered as the%ga5ed on each other. As the% !al)ed in the gardens o# the castle& or in the countr% around& the%!ere o#ten $isited& es"eciall% the eldest sister& (% sounds that no one heard (ut themsel$es&issuing #rom !oods and !aters+ and (% #orms o# lo$e that lightened out o# #lo!ers& and grass&

and great roc)s. >o! and then the %oung children !ould come in !ith a slo!& statel% ste"& and&!ith great e%es that loo)ed as i# the% !ould de$our all the creation& sa% that the% had met the#ather amongst the trees& and that he had )issed them+ -And&- added one o# them once& -I gre! so (ig@- 'ut !hen the others !ent out to loo)& the% could see no one. And some said it must ha$e (een the (rother& !ho gre! more and more (eauti#ul& and lo$ing& and re$erend& and !ho had lostall traces o# hardness& so that the% !ondered the% could e$er ha$e thought him stern and harsh.'ut the eldest sister held her "eace& and loo)ed u"& and her e%es #illed !ith tears. -/ho can tell&-thought she& -(ut the little children )no! more a(out it than !e-

#ten& at sunrise& might (e heard their h%mn o# "raise to their unseen #ather& !hom the% #elt to (enear& though the% sa! him not. 9ome !ords thereo# once reached m% ear through the #olds o# themusic in !hich the% #loated& as in an u"!ard sno!storm o# s!eet sounds. And these are some o#the !ords I heard(ut there !as much I seemed to hear !hich I could not understand& and somethings !hich I understood (ut cannot utter again.

-/e than) thee that !e ha$e a #ather& and not a ma)er+ that thou hast (egotten us& and notmoulded us as images o# cla%+ that !e ha$e come #orth o# th% heart& and ha$e not (een #ashioned (% th% hands. It 0must0 (e so. nl% the heart o# a #ather is a(le to create. /e re?oice in it& and (less thee that !e )no! it. /e than) thee #or th%sel#. 'e !hat thou artour root and li#e& our (eginning and end& our all in all. Come home to us. Thou li$est+ there#ore !e li$e. In th% light !esee. Thou artthat is all our song.-

Thus the% !orshi"& and lo$e& and !ait. Their ho"e and e2"ectation gro! e$er stronger and (righter& that one da%& ere long& the Father !ill sho! *imsel# amongst them& and thence#orthd!ell in *is o!n house #or e$ermore. /hat !as once (ut an old legend has (ecome the onedesire o# their hearts.

And the lo#tiest ho"e is the surest o# (eing #ul#illed.



Cross 3ur"oses and The 9hado!s

C*A3T I.

nce u"on a time& the Eueen o# Fair%land& #inding her o!n su(?ects #ar too !ell(eha$ed to (e

amusing& too) a sudden longing to ha$e a mortal or t!o at her Court. 9o& a#ter loo)ing a(out her#or some time& she #i2ed u"on t!o to (ring to Fair%land.

'ut ho! !ere the% to (e (rought

-3lease %our ma?est%&- said at last the daughter o# the "rimeminister& -I !ill (ring the girl.-

The s"ea)er& !hose name !as 3ease(lossom& a#ter her greatgreatgrandmother& loo)ed sograce#ul& and hung her head so a"ologeticall%& that the Eueen said at once&

-*o! !ill %ou manage it& 3ease(lossom-

-I !ill o"en the road (e#ore her& and close it (ehind her.-

-I ha$e heard that %ou ha$e "rett% !a%s o# doing things+ so %ou ma% tr%.-

The court ha""ened to (e held in an o"en #orestglade o# smooth tur#& u"on !hich there !as ?ustone molehea". As soon as the Eueen had gi$en her "ermission to 3ease(lossom& u" through themolehea" came the head o# a go(lin& !hich cried out&

-3lease %our ma?est%& I !ill (ring the (o%.-

-Bou@- e2claimed the Eueen. -*o! !ill %ou do it-

The go(lin (egan to !riggle himsel# out o# the earth& as i# he had (een a sna)e& and the !hole!orld his s)in& till the court !as con$ulsed !ith laughter. As soon as he got #ree& he (egan to rollo$er and o$er& in e$er% "ossi(le manner& rotator% and c%lindrical& all at once& until he reached the!ood. The courtiers #ollo!ed& holding their sides& so that the Eueen !as le#t sitting u"on herthrone in solitar% state.

/hen the% reached the !ood& the go(lin& !hose name !as Toadstool& !as no!here to (e seen./hile the% !ere loo)ing #or him& out "o""ed his head #rom the molehea" again& !ith the!ords&

-9o& %our ma?est%.-

-Bou ha$e ta)en %our o!n time to ans!er&- said the Eueen& laughing.

-And m% o!n !a% too& eh@ %our ma?est%- re?oined Toadstool& grinning.

->o dou(t. /ell& %ou ma% tr%.-



And the go(lin& ma)ing as much o# a (o! as he could !ith onl% hal# his nec) a(o$e ground&disa""eared under it.

C*A3T II.

>o mortal& or #air% either& can tell !here Fair%land (egins and !here it ends. 'ut some!here onthe (orders o# Fair%land there !as a nice countr% $illage& in !hich li$ed some nice countr% "eo"le.

Alice !as the daughter o# the s,uire& a "rett%& goodnatured girl& !hom her #riends called #air%li)e& and others called sill%.

ne ros% summer e$ening& !hen the !all o""osite her !indo! !as #la)ed all o$er !ith rosiness&

she thre! hersel# do!n on her (ed& and la% ga5ing at the !all. The rosecolour san) through here%es and d%ed her (rain& and she (egan to #eel as i# she !ere reading a stor%(oo). 9he thoughtshe !as loo)ing at a !estern sea& !ith the !a$es all red !ith sunset. 'ut !hen the colour diedout& Alice ga$e a sigh to see ho! common"lace the !all gre!. -I !ish it !as al!a%s sunset@- shesaid& hal# aloud. -I don4t li)e gra% things.-

-I !ill ta)e %ou !here the sun is al!a%s setting& i# %ou li)e& Alice&- said a s!eet& tin% $oice nearher. 9he loo)ed do!n on the co$erlet o# the (ed& and there& loo)ing u" at her& stood a lo$el% littlecreature. It seemed ,uite natural that the little lad% should (e there+ #or man% things !e ne$ercould (elie$e& ha$e onl% to ha""en& and then there is nothing strange a(out them. 9he !asdressed in !hite& !ith a cloa) o# sunsetredthe colours o# the s!eetest o# s!eet"eas. n herhead !as a cro!n o# t!isted tendrils& !ith a little gold (eetle in #ront.

-Are %ou a #air%- said Alice.

-Bes. /ill %ou go !ith me to the sunset-

-Bes& I !ill.-

/hen Alice "roceeded to rise& she #ound that she !as no (igger than the #air%+ and !hen shestood u" on the counter"ane& the (ed loo)ed li)e a great hall !ith a "ainted ceiling. As she!al)ed to!ards 3ease(lossom& she stum(led se$eral times o$er the tu#ts that made the "attern.'ut the #air% too) her (% the hand and led her to!ards the #oot o# the (ed. ;ong (e#ore the%reached it& ho!e$er& Alice sa! that the #air% !as a tall& slender lad%& and that she hersel# !as,uite her o!n si5e. /hat she had ta)en #or tu#ts on the counter"ane !ere reall% (ushes o# #ur5e&and (room& and heather& on the side o# a slo"e.

-/here are !e- as)ed Alice.

-Going on&- ans!ered the #air%.



Alice& not li)ing the re"l%& said&

-I !ant to go home.-

-Good(%e& then@- ans!ered the #air%.

Alice loo)ed round. A !ide& hill% countr% la% all a(out them. 9he could not e$en tell #rom !hat,uarter the% had come.

-I must go !ith %ou& I see&- she said.

'e#ore the% reached the (ottom& the% !ere !al)ing o$er the lo$eliest meado!grass. A littlestream !ent cantering do!n (eside them& !ithout channel or (an)& sometimes running (et!eenthe (lades& sometimes s!ee"ing the grass all one !a% under it. And it made a great (a((ling #orsuch a little stream and such a smooth course.

Graduall% the slo"e gre! gentler& and the stream #lo!ed more so#tl% and s"read out !ider. Atlength the% came to a !ood o# long& straight "o"lars& gro!ing out o# the !ater& #or the stream raninto the !ood& and there stretched out into a la)e. Alice thought the% could go no #arther+ (ut3ease(lossom led her straight on& and the% !al)ed through.

It !as no! dar)+ (ut e$er%thing under the !ater ga$e out a "ale& ,uiet light. There !ere dee" "ools here and there& (ut there !as no mud& or #rogs& or !aterli5ards& or eels. All the (ottom !as "ure& lo$el% grass& (rilliantl% green. Do!n the (an)s o# the "ools she sa!& all under !ater& "rimroses and $iolets and "im"ernels. An% #lo!er she !ished to see she had onl% to loo) #or& andshe !as sure to #ind it. /hen a "ool came in their !a%& the #air% s!am& and Alice s!am (% her+and !hen the% got out the% !ere ,uite dr%& though the !ater !as as delight#ull% !et as !atershould (e. 'esides the trees& tall& s"lendid lilies gre! out o# it& and holl%hoc)s and irises ands!ord"lants& and man% other longstemmed #lo!ers. From e$er% lea# and "etal o# these& #rome$er% (ranchti" and tendril& dro""ed (right !ater. It gathered slo!l% at each "oint& (ut the "oints!ere so man% that there !as a constant musical "lashing o# diamond rain u"on the still sur#ace o# the la)e. As the% !ent on& the moon rose and thre! a "ale mist o# light o$er the !hole& and thediamond dro"s turned to hal#li,uid "earls& and round e$er% treeto" !as a halo o# moonlight&and the !ater !ent to slee"& and the #lo!ers (egan to dream.

-;oo)&- said the #air%+ -those lilies are ?ust dreaming themsel$es into a child4s slee". I can seethem smiling. This is the "lace out o# !hich go the things that a""ear to children e$er% night.-

-Is this dreamland& then- as)ed Alice.

-I# %ou li)e&- ans!ered the #air%.

-*o! #ar am I #rom home-

-The #arther %ou go& the nearer home %ou are.-



Then the #air% lad% gathered a (undle o# "o""ies and ga$e it to Alice. The ne2t dee" "ool thatthe% came to& she told her to thro! it in. Alice did so& and #ollo!ing it& laid her head u"on it. Thatmoment she (egan to sin). Do!n and do!n she !ent& till at last she #elt hersel# l%ing on the long&thic) grass at the (ottom o# the "ool& !ith the "o""ies under her head and the clear !ater high

o$er it. =" through it she sa! the moon& !hose (right #ace loo)ed slee"% too& distur(ed onl% (%the little ri""les o# the rain #rom the tall #lo!ers on the edges o# the "ool.

9he #ell #ast aslee"& and all night dreamed a(out home.

C*A3T III.

ichard!hich is name enough #or a #air% stor%!as the son o# a !ido! in Alice4s $illage. *e!as so "oor that he did not #ind himsel# generall% !elcome+ so he hardl% !ent an%!here& (ut

read (oo)s at home& and !aited u"on his mother. *is manners& there#ore& !ere sh%& andsu##icientl% a!)!ard to gi$e an un#a$oura(le im"ression to those !ho loo)ed at outsides. Alice!ould ha$e des"ised him+ (ut he ne$er came near enough #or that.

>o! ichard had (een sa$ing u" his #e! "ence in order to (u% an um(rella #or his mother+ #orthe !inter !ould come& and the one she had !as almost torn to ri(ands. ne (right summere$ening& !hen he thought um(rellas must (e chea"& he !as !al)ing across the mar)et"lace to (u% one: there& in the middle o# it& stood an oddloo)ing little man& actuall% selling um(rellas.*ere !as a chance #or him@ /hen he dre! nearer& he #ound that the little man& !hile $aunting hisum(rellas to the s)ies& !as as)ing such a(surdl% small "rices #or them& that no one !ould$enture to (u% one. *e had o"ened and laid them all out at #ull stretch on the mar)et"lacea(out #i$eandt!ent% o# them& stic) do!n!ards& li)e little tentsand he stood (eside&haranguing the "eo"le. 'ut he !ould not allo! one o# the cro!d to touch his um(rellas. As soonas his e%e #ell u"on ichard& he changed his tone& and said& -/ell& as no(od% seems inclined to (u%& I thin)& m% dear um(rellas& !e had (etter (e going home.- /hereu"on the um(rellas got u"&!ith some di##icult%& and (egan ho((ling a!a%. The "eo"le stared at each other !ith o"enmouths& #or the% sa! that !hat the% had ta)en #or a lot o# um(rellas& !as in realit% a #loc) o# (lac) geese. A great tur)e%coc) !ent go((ling (ehind them& dri$ing them all do!n a laneto!ards the #orest. ichard thought !ith himsel#& -There is more in this than I can account #or.'ut an um(rella that could la% eggs !ould (e a $er% ?oll% um(rella.- 9o (% the time the "eo"le!ere (eginning to laugh at each other& ichard !as hal#!a% do!n the lane at the heels o# thegeese. There he stoo"ed and caught one o# them& (ut instead o# a goose he had a huge hedgehogin his hands& !hich he dro""ed in disma%+ !hereu"on it !addled a!a% a goose as (e#ore& and the!hole o# them (egan cac)ling and hissing in a !a% that he could not mista)e. For the tur)e%coc)& he go((led and ga((led and cho)ed himsel# and got right again in the most ridiculousmanner. In #act& he seemed sometimes to #orget that he !as a tur)e%& and laughed li)e a #ool. Allat once& !ith a simultaneous longnec)ed hiss& the% #le! into the !ood& and the tur)e% a#terthem. 'ut ichard soon got u" !ith them again& and #ound them all hanging (% their #eet #romthe trees& in t!o ro!s& one on each side o# the "ath& !hile the tur)e% !as !al)ing on. *imichard #ollo!ed+ (ut the moment he reached the middle o# the sus"ended geese& #rom e$er%



side arose the most #right#ul hisses& and their nec)s gre! longer and longer& till there !ere nearl%thirt% (road (ills close to his head& (lo!ing in his #ace& in his ears& and at the (ac) o# his nec).'ut the tur)e%& loo)ing round and seeing !hat !as going on& turned and !al)ed (ac). /hen hereached the "lace& he loo)ed u" at the #irst and go((led at him in the !ildest manner. That goosegre! silent and dro""ed #rom the tree. Then he !ent to the ne2t& and the ne2t& and so on& till he

had go((led them all o## the trees& one a#ter another. 'ut !hen ichard e2"ected to see them goa#ter the tur)e%& there !as nothing there (ut a #loc) o# huge mushrooms and "u##(alls.

-I ha$e had enough o# this&- thought ichard. -I !ill go home again.-

-Go home& ichard&- said a $oice close to him.

;oo)ing do!n& he sa!& instead o# the tur)e%& the most comicalloo)ing little man he had e$erseen.

-Go home& Master ichard&- re"eated he& grinning.

->ot #or %our (idding&- ans!ered ichard.

-Come on& then& Master ichard.-

->or that either& !ithout a good reason.-

-I !ill gi$e %ou 0such0 an um(rella #or %our mother.-

-I don4t ta)e "resents #rom strangers.-

-'less %ou& I4m no stranger here@ h& no@ not at all.- And he set o## in the manner usual !ith him&rolling e$er% !a% at once.

ichard could not hel" laughing and #ollo!ing. At length Toadstool "lum"ed into a great hole#ull o# !ater. -9er$ed him right@- thought ichard. -9er$ed him right@- (a!led the go(lin&cra!ling out again& and sha)ing the !ater #rom him li)e a s"aniel. -This is the $er% "lace I!anted& onl% I rolled too #ast.- *o!e$er& he !ent on rolling again #aster than (e#ore& though it!as no! u"hill& till he came to the to" o# a considera(le height& on !hich gre! a num(er o# "almtrees.

-*a$e %ou a )ni#e& ichard- said the go(lin& sto""ing all at once& as i# he had (een !al)ing,uietl% along& ?ust li)e other "eo"le.

ichard "ulled out a "oc)et)ni#e and ga$e it to the creature& !ho instantl% cut a dee" gash inone o# the trees. Then he (ounded to another and did the same& and so on till he had gashed themall. ichard& #ollo!ing him& sa! that a little stream& clearer than the clearest !ater& (egan to #lo!#rom each& increasing in si5e the longer it #lo!ed. 'e#ore he had reached the last there !as ,uitea tin)ling and rustling o# the little rills that ran do!n the stems o# the "alms. This gre! and gre!&till ichard sa! that a #ull ri$ulet !as #lo!ing do!n the side o# the hill.



-*ere is %our )ni#e& ichard&- said the go(lin+ (ut (% the time he had "ut it in his "oc)et& theri$ulet had gro!n to a small torrent.

->o!& ichard& come along&- said Toadstool& and thre! himsel# into the torrent.

-I !ould rather ha$e a (oat&- returned ichard.

-h& %ou stu"id@- cried Toadstool cra!ling u" the side o# the hill& do!n !hich the stream hadalread% carried him some distance.

/ith e$er% contortion that la(our and di##icult% could suggest& %et !ith incredi(le ra"idit%& hecra!led to the $er% to" o# one o# the trees& and tore do!n a huge lea#& !hich he thre! on theground& and himsel# a#ter it& re(ounding li)e a (all. *e then laid the lea# on the !ater& held it (%the stem& and told ichard to get u"on it. *e did so. It !ent do!n dee" in the middle !ith his!eight. Toadstool let it go& and it shot do!n the stream li)e an arro!. This (egan the strangest

and most delight#ul $o%age. The stream rushed careering and cur$eting do!n the hillside& (rightas a diamond& and soon reached a meado! "lain. The go(lin rolled alongside o# the (oat li)e a (undle o# !eeds+ (ut ichard rode in trium"h through the lo! grass% countr% u"on the (ac) o#his !ater% steed. It !ent straight as an arro!& and& strange to tell& !as hea"ed u" on the ground&li)e a ridge o# !ater or a !a$e& onl% rushing on end!a%s. It needed no channel& and turned aside#or no o""osition. It #lo!ed o$er e$er%thing that crossed its "ath& li)e a great ser"ent o# !ater&!ith #olds #itting into all the u"s and do!ns o# the !a%. I# a !all came in its course it #lo!edagainst it& hea"ing itsel# u" on itsel# till it reached the to"& !hence it "lunged to the #oot on theother side& and #lo!ed on. 9oon he #ound that it !as running gentl% u" a grass% hill. The !a$es)e"t curling (ac) as i# the !ind (le! them& or as i# the% could hardl% )ee" #rom running do!nagain. 'ut still the stream mounted and #lo!ed& and the !a$es !ith it. It #ound it di##icult& (ut itcould do it. /hen the% reached the to"& it (ore them across a heath% countr%& rolling o$er "ur"leheather& and (lue hare(ells& and delicate #erns& and tall #o2glo$es cro!ded !ith (ells "ur"le and!hite. All the time the "almlea# curled its edges a!a% #rom the !ater& and made a delight#ul (oat #or ichard& !hile Toadstool tum(led along in the stream li)e a "or"oise. At length the!ater (egan to run $er% #ast& and !ent #aster and #aster& till suddenl% it "lunged them into a dee"la)e& !ith a great s"lash& and sto""ed there. Toadstool !ent out o# sight& and came u" gas"ingand grinning& !hile ichard4s (oat tossed and hea$ed li)e a $essel in a storm at sea+ (ut not adro" o# !ater came in. Then the go(lin (egan to s!im& and "ushed and tugged the (oat along.'ut the la)e !as so still& and the motion so "leasant& that ichard #ell #ast aslee".

C*A3T I.

/hen he !o)e he #ound himsel# still a#loat u"on the (road "almlea#. *e !as alone in themiddle o# a la)e& !ith #lo!ers and trees gro!ing in and out o# it e$er%!here. The sun !as ?usto$er the treeto"s. A dri" o# !ater #rom the #lo!ers greeted him !ith music+ the mists !eredissol$ing a!a%& and !here the sunlight #ell on the la)e the !ater !as clear as glass. Casting hise%es do!n!ard& he sa!& ?ust (eneath him& #ar do!n at the (ottom& Alice dro!ned& as he thought.



*e !as in the act o# "lunging in& !hen he sa! her o"en her e%es& and at the same moment (eginto #loat u". *e held out his hand& (ut she re"elled it !ith disdain& and s!imming to a tree& satdo!n on a lo! (ranch& !ondering ho! e$er the "oor !ido!4s son could ha$e #ound his !a% intoFair%land. 9he did not li)e it. It !as an in$asion o# "ri$ilege.

-*o! did %ou come here& %oung ichard- she as)ed& #rom si2 %ards o##.

-A go(lin (rought me.-

-Ah@ I thought so. A #air% (rought me.-

-/here is %our #air%-

-*ere I am&- said 3ease(lossom& rising slo!l% to the sur#ace ?ust (% the tree on !hich Alice !asseated.

-/here is %our go(lin- retorted Alice.

-*ere I am&- (a!led Toadstool& rushing out o# the !ater li)e a salmon& and casting asummersault in the air (e#ore he #ell in again !ith a tremendous s"lash. *is head rose again close (eside 3ease(lossom& !ho (eing used to such creatures onl% laughed.

-Isn4t he handsome- he grinned.

-Bes& $er%. *e !ants "olishing& though.-

-Bou could do that #or %oursel#& %ou )no!. 9hall !e change-

-I don4t mind. Bou4ll #ind her rather sill%.-

-That4s nothing. The (o%4s too sensi(le #or me.-

*e di$ed& and rose at Alice4s #eet. 9he shrie)ed !ith terror. The #air% #loated a!a% li)e a !aterlil% to!ards ichard. -/hat a lo$el% creature@- thought he+ (ut hearing Alice shrie) again& hesaid&

-Don4t lea$e Alice+ she4s #rightened at that ,ueer creature.I don4t thin) there4s an% harm in him&though& Alice.-

-h& no@ *e !on4t hurt her&- said 3ease(lossom. -I4m tired o# her. *e4s going to ta)e her to thecourt& and I !ill ta)e %ou.-

-I don4t !ant to go.-

-'ut %ou must. Bou can4t go home again. Bou don4t )no! the !a%.-



-ichard@ ichard@- cried Alice& in an agon%.

ichard s"rang #rom his (oat& and !as (% her side in a moment.

-*e "inched me&- cried Alice.

ichard hit the go(lin a terri(le (lo! on the head+ (ut it too) no more e##ect u"on him than i# hishead had (een a round (all o# indiaru((er. *e ga$e ichard a #urious loo)& ho!e$er& and (a!ling out& -Bou4ll re"ent that& Dic)@- $anished under the !ater.

-Come along& ichard+ ma)e haste+ he !ill murder %ou&- cried the #air%.

-It is all %our #ault&- said ichard. -I !on4t lea$e Alice.-

Then the #air% sa! it !as all o$er !ith her and Toadstool+ #or the% can do nothing !ith mortalsagainst their !ill. 9o she #loated a!a% across the !ater in ichard4s (oat& holding her ro(e #or a

sail& and $anished& lea$ing the t!o alone in the la)e.

-Bou ha$e dri$en a!a% m% #air%@- cried Alice. -I shall ne$er get home no!. It is all %our #ault&%ou naught% %oung man.-

-I dro$e a!a% the go(lin&- remonstrated ichard.

-/ill %ou "lease to sit on the other side o# the tree I !onder !hat m% "a"a !ould sa% i# he sa!me tal)ing to %ou@-

-/ill %ou come to the ne2t tree& Alice- said ichard& a#ter a "ause.

Alice& !ho had (een cr%ing all the time that ichard !as thin)ing& said -I !on4t.- ichard&there#ore& "lunged into the !ater !ithout her& and s!am #or the tree. 'e#ore he had got hal#!a%&ho!e$er& he heard Alice cr%ing -ichard@ ichard@- This !as ?ust !hat he !anted. 9o he turned (ac)& and Alice thre! hersel# into the !ater. /ith ichard4s hel" she s!am "rett% !ell& and the%reached the tree. ->o! #or the ne2t@- said ichard+ and the% s!am to the ne2t& and then to thethird. $er% tree the% reached !as larger than the last& and e$er% tree (e#ore them !as larger still.9o the% s!am #rom tree to tree& till the% came to one that !as so large that the% could not seeround it. /hat !as to (e done Clearl% to clim( this tree. It !as a dread#ul "ros"ect #or Alice& (ut ichard "roceeded to clim(+ and (% "utting her #eet !here he "ut his& and no! and thengetting hold o# his an)le& she managed to ma)e her !a% u". There !ere a great man% stum"s!here (ranches had !ithered o##& and the (ar) !as nearl% as rough as a hillside& so there !as "lent% o# #oothold #or them. /hen the% had clim(ed a long time& and !ere getting $er% tiredindeed& Alice cried out& -ichard& I shall dro"I shall. /h% did %ou come this !a%- And she (egan once more to cr%. 'ut at that moment ichard caught hold o# a (ranch a(o$e his head& andreaching do!n his other hand got hold o# Alice& and held her till she had reco$ered a little. In a#e! moments more the% reached the #or) o# the tree& and there the% sat and rested. -This isca"ital@- said ichard& cheeril%.



-/hat is- as)ed Alice& sul)il%.

-/h%& !e ha$e room to rest& and there4s no hurr% #or a minute or t!o. I4m tired.-

-Bou sel#ish creature@- said Alice. -I# %ou are tired& !hat must I (e@-

-Tired too&- ans!ered ichard. -'ut !e4$e got on (ra$el%. And loo)@ !hat4s that-

'% this time the da% !as gone& and the night so near& that in the shado!s o# the tree all !asdus)% and dim. 'ut there !as still light enough to disco$er that in a niche o# the tree sat a hugehorned o!l& !ith green s"ectacles on his (ea)& and a (oo) in one #oot. *e too) no heed o# theintruders& (ut )e"t muttering to himsel#. And !hat do %ou thin) the o!l !as sa%ing I !ill tell%ou. *e !as tal)ing a(out the (oo) that he held u"side do!n in his #oot.

-9tu"id (oo) thissss@ >othing in it at all@ $er%thing u"side do!n@ 9tu"id asssss@ 9a%s o!lscan4t read@ 0I0 can read (ac)!ards@-

-I thin) that is the go(lin again&- said ichard& in a !his"er. -*o!e$er& i# %ou as) a "lain,uestion& he must gi$e %ou a "lain ans!er& #or the% are not allo!ed to tell do!nright lies inFair%land.-

-Don4t as) him& ichard+ %ou )no! %ou ga$e him a dread#ul (lo!.-

-I ga$e him !hat he deser$ed& and he o!es me the same.*allo@ !hich is the !a% out-

*e !ouldn4t sa% 0i# %ou "lease0& (ecause then it !ould not ha$e (een a "lain ,uestion.

-Do!nstairs&- hissed the o!l& !ithout e$er li#ting his e%es #rom the (oo)& !hich all the time heread u"side do!n& so learned !as he.

-n %our honour& as a res"ecta(le old o!l- as)ed ichard.

->o&- hissed the o!l+ and ichard !as almost sure that he !as not reall% an o!l. 9o he stoodstaring at him #or a #e! moments& !hen all at once& !ithout li#ting his e%es #rom the (oo)& theo!l said& -I !ill sing a song&- and (egan:

->o(od% )no!s the !orld (ut me. /hen the%4re all in (ed& I sit u" to see I4m a (etter student than students all& For I ne$er read till the dar)ness #all+ And I ne$er read !ithout m% glasses& And that is ho! m% !isdom "asses. *o!lo!l!hoolhool!oolool.

-I can see the !ind. >o! !ho can do that I see the dreams that he has in his hat+



I see him snorting them out as he goes ut at his stu"id old trum"etnose. Ten thousand things that %ou couldn4t thin) I !rite them do!n !ith "en and in). *o!lo!l!hoolool!hitit that4s !it.

-Bou ma% call it learning4tis mother!it. >o one else sees the lad%moon sit n the sea& her nest& all night& (ut the o!l& *atching the (oats and the longlegged #o!l. /hen the o%sters ga"e to sing (% rote& 9he crams a "earl do!n each stu"id throat. *o!lo!l!hitit that4s !it& there4s a #o!l@-

And so singing& he thre! the (oo) in ichard4s #ace& s"read out his great& silent& so#t !ings& and

s"ed a!a% into the de"ths o# the tree. /hen the (oo) struc) ichard& he #ound that it !as onl% alum" o# !et moss.

/hile tal)ing to the o!l he had s"ied a hollo! (ehind one o# the (ranches. udging this to (e the!a% the o!l meant& he !ent to see& and #ound a rude& illde#ined staircase going do!n into the$er% heart o# the trun). 'ut so large !as the tree that this could not ha$e hurt it in the least.Do!n this stair& then& ichard scram(led as (est he could& #ollo!ed (% Alicenot o# her o!n!ill& she ga$e him clearl% to understand& (ut (ecause she could do no (etter. Do!n& do!n the%!ent& sli""ing and #alling sometimes& (ut ne$er $er% #ar& (ecause the stair !ent round and round.It caught ichard !hen he sli""ed& and he caught Alice !hen she did. The% had (egun to #earthat there !as no end to the stair& it !ent round and round so steadil%& !hen& cree"ing through acrac)& the% #ound themsel$es in a great hall& su""orted (% thousands o# "illars o# gra% stone./here the little light came #rom the% could not tell. This hall the% (egan to cross in a straightline& ho"ing to reach one side& and intending to !al) along it till the% came to some o"ening.The% )e"t straight (% going #rom "illar to "illar& as the% had done (e#ore (% the trees. An% honest "lan !ill do in Fair%land& i# %ou onl% stic) to it. And no "lan !ill do i# %ou do not stic) to it.

It !as $er% silent& and Alice disli)ed the silence more than the dimness&so much& indeed& thatshe longed to hear ichard4s $oice. 'ut she had al!a%s (een so cross to him !hen he hads"o)en& that he thought it (etter to let her s"ea) #irst+ and she !as too "roud to do that. 9he!ould not e$en let him !al) alongside o# her& (ut al!a%s !ent slo!er !hen he !anted to !ait#or her+ so that at last he strode on alone. And Alice #ollo!ed. 'ut (% degrees the horror o#silence gre! u"on her& and she #elt at last as i# there !as no one in the uni$erse (ut hersel#. Thehall !ent on !idening around her+ their #ootste"s made no noise+ the silence gre! so intense thatit seemed on the "oint o# ta)ing sha"e. At last she could (ear it no longer. 9he ran a#ter ichard&got u" !ith him& and laid hold o# his arm.

*e had (een thin)ing #or some time !hat an o(stinate& disagreea(le girl Alice !as& and !ishinghe had her sa#e home to (e rid o# her& !hen& #eeling a hand& and loo)ing round& he sa! that it !asthe disagreea(le girl. 9he soon (egan to (e com"aniona(le a#ter a #ashion& #or she (egan to thin)&



"utting e$er%thing together& that ichard must ha$e (een se$eral times in Fair%land (e#ore no!.-It is $er% strange&- she said to hersel#+ -#or he is ,uite a "oor (o%& I am sure o# that. *is armsstic) out (e%ond his ?ac)et li)e the ri(s o# his mother4s um(rella. And to thin) o# me !anderinga(out Fair%land !ith 0him0@-

The moment she touched his arm& the% sa! an arch o# (lac)ness (e#ore them. The% had !al)edstraight to a doornot a $er% in$iting one& #or it o"ened u"on an utterl% dar) "assage. /herethere !as onl% one door& ho!e$er& there !as no di##icult% a(out choosing. ichard !al)edstraight through it+ and #rom the greater #ear o# (eing le#t (ehind& Alice #aced the lesser #ear o#going on. In a moment the% !ere in total dar)ness. Alice clung to ichard4s arm& and murmured&almost against her !ill& -Dear ichard@- It !as strange that #ear should s"ea) li)e lo$e+ (ut it!as in Fair%land. It !as strange& too& that as soon as she s"o)e thus& ichard should #all in lo$e!ith her all at once. 'ut !hat !as more curious still !as& that& at the same moment& ichard sa!her #ace. In s"ite o# her #ear& !hich had made her "ale& she loo)ed $er% lo$el%.

-Dear Alice@- said ichard& -ho! "ale %ou loo)@-

-*o! can %ou tell that& ichard& !hen all is as (lac) as "itch-

-I can see %our #ace. It gi$es out light. >o! I see %our hands. >o! I can see %our #eet. Bes& I cansee e$er% s"ot !here %ou are going to>o& don4t "ut %our #oot there. There is an ugl% toad ?ustthere.-

The #act !as& that the moment he (egan to lo$e Alice& his e%es (egan to send #orth light. /hat hethought came #rom Alice4s #ace& reall% came #rom his e%es. All a(out her and her "ath he couldsee& and e$er% minute sa! (etter+ (ut to his o!n "ath he !as (lind. *e could not see his hand!hen he held it straight (e#ore his #ace& so dar) !as it. 'ut he could see Alice& and that !as (etter than seeing the !a%e$er so much.

At length Alice too (egan to see a #ace da!ning through the dar)ness. It !as ichard4s #ace+ (utit !as #ar handsomer than !hen she sa! it last. *er e%es had (egun to gi$e light too. And shesaid to hersel#-Can it (e that I lo$e the "oor !ido!4s sonI su""ose that must (e it&- sheans!ered hersel#& !ith a smile+ #or she !as not disgusted !ith hersel# at all. ichard sa! thesmile& and !as glad. *er "aleness had gone& and a s!eet rosiness had ta)en its "lace. And no!she sa! ichard4s "ath as he sa! hers& and (et!een the t!o sights the% got on !ell.

The% !ere no! !al)ing on a "ath (et!i2t t!o dee" !aters& !hich ne$er mo$ed& shining as (lac) as e(on% !here the e%elight #ell. 'ut the% sa! ere long that this "ath )e"t gro!ing narro!er andnarro!er. At last& to Alice4s disma%& the (lac) !aters met in #ront o# them.

-/hat is to (e done no!& ichard- she said.

/hen the% #i2ed their e%es on the !ater (e#ore them& the% sa! that it !as s!arming !ith li5ards&and #rogs& and (lac) sna)es& and all )inds o# strange and ugl% creatures& es"eciall% some that hadneither heads& nor tails& nor legs& nor #ins& nor #eelers& (eing& in #act& onl% li$ing lum"s. These)e"t ?um"ing out and in& and s"ra!ling u"on the "ath. ichard thought #or a #e! moments (e#ore



re"l%ing to Alice4s ,uestion& as& indeed& !ell he might. 'ut he came to the conclusion that the "ath could not ha$e gone on #or the sa)e o# sto""ing there+ and that it must (e a )ind o# #ingerthat "ointed on !here it !as not allo!ed to go itsel#. 9o he caught u" Alice in his strong arms&and ?um"ed into the middle o# the horrid s!arm. And ?ust as minno!s $anish i# %ou thro!an%thing amongst them& ?ust so these !retched creatures $anished& right and le#t and e$er% !a%.

*e #ound the !ater (roader than he had e2"ected+ and (e#ore he got o$er& he #ound Alice hea$ierthan he could ha$e (elie$ed+ (ut u"on a #irm& roc)% (ottom& ichard !aded through in sa#et%./hen he reached the other side& he #ound that the (an) !as a lo#t%& smooth& "er"endicular roc)&!ith some rough ste"s cut in it. '% and (% the ste"s led them right into the roc)& and the% !ere ina narro! "assage once more& (ut& this time& leading u". It !ound round and round& li)e the threado# a great scre!. At last& ichard )noc)ed his head against something& and could go no #arther.The "lace !as close and hot. *e "ut u" his hands& and "ushed !hat #elt li)e a !arm stone: itmo$ed a little.

-Go do!n& %ou (rutes@- gro!led a $oice a(o$e& ,ui$ering !ith anger. -Bou4ll u"set m% "ot and

m% cat& and m% tem"er too& i# %ou "ush that !a%. Go do!n@-

ichard )noc)ed $er% gentl%& and said: -3lease let us out.-

-h& %es& I dare sa%@ er% #ine and so#ts"o)en@ Go do!n& %ou go(lin (rutes@ I4$e had enough o#%ou. I4ll scald the hair o## %our ugl% heads i# %ou do that again. Go do!n& I sa%@-

9eeing #air s"eech !as o# no a$ail& ichard told Alice to go do!n a little& out o# the !a%+ and&setting his shoulders to one end o# the stone& hea$ed it u"+ !hereu"on do!n came the other end&!ith a "ot& and a #ire& and a cat !hich had (een aslee" (eside it. 9he #rightened Alice dread#ull%as she rushed "ast her& sho!ing nothing (ut her green lam"ing e%es.

ichard& "ee"ing u"& #ound that he had turned a hearthstone u"side do!n. n the edge o# thehole stood a little croo)ed old man& (randishing a mo"stic) in a tremendous rage& and hesitatingonl% !here to stri)e him. 'ut ichard "ut him out o# his di##icult% (% s"ringing u" and ta)ing thestic) #rom him. Then& ha$ing li#ted Alice out& he returned it !ith a (o!& and& heedless o# themaledictions o# the old man& "roceeded to get the stone and the "ot u" again. For "uss& she gotout o# hersel#.

Then the old man (ecame a little more #riendl%& and said: -I (eg %our "ardon& I thought %ou !erego(lins. The% ne$er !ill let me alone. 'ut %ou must allo!& it !as rather an unusual !a% o# "a%ing a morning call.- And the creature (o!ed conciliatingl%.

-It !as& indeed&- ans!ered ichard. -I !ish %ou had turned the door to us instead o# the hearthstone.- For he did not trust the old man. -'ut&- he added& -I ho"e %ou !ill #orgi$e us.-

-h& certainl%& certainl%& m% dear %oung "eo"le@ =se %our #reedom. 'ut such %oung "eo"le ha$eno (usiness to (e out alone. It is against the rules.-

-'ut !hat is one to doI mean t!o to do!hen the% can4t hel" it-



-Bes& %es& o# course+ (ut no!& %ou )no!& I must ta)e charge o# %ou. 9o %ou sit there& %ounggentleman+ and %ou sit there& %oung lad%.-

*e "ut a chair #or one at one side o# the hearth& and #or the other at the other side& and then dre!

his chair (et!een them. The cat got u"on his hum"& and then set u" her o!n. 9o here !as a !allthat !ould let through no moonshine. 'ut although (oth ichard and Alice !ere $er% muchamused& the% did not li)e to (e "arted in this "erem"tor% manner. 9till the% thought it (etter notto anger the old man an% morein his o!n house& too.

'ut he had (een once angered& and that !as once too o#ten& #or he had made it a rule ne$er to#orgi$e !ithout ta)ing it out in humiliation.

It !as so disagreea(le to ha$e him sitting there (et!een them& that the% #elt as i# the% !ere #arasunder. In order to get the (etter o# the #anc%& the% !anted to hold each other4s hand (ehind thed!ar#4s (ac). 'ut the moment their hands (egan to a""roach& the (ac) o# the cat (egan to gro!

long& and its hum" to gro! high+ and& in a moment more& ichard #ound himsel# cra!ling!earil% u" a stee" hill& !hose ridge rose against the stars& !hile a cold !ind (le! drearil% o$erit. >ot a ha(itation !as in sight+ and Alice had $anished #rom his e%es. *e #elt& ho!e$er& that shemust (e some!here on the other side& and so clim(ed and clim(ed to get o$er the (ro! o# thehill& and do!n to !here he thought she must (e. 'ut the longer he clim(ed& the #arther o## the to"o# the hill seemed+ till at last he san) ,uite e2hausted& andmust I con#ess it$er% nearl% (eganto cr%. To thin) o# (eing se"arated #rom Alice all at once& and in such a disagreea(le !a%@ 'ut he#ell athin)ing instead& and soon said to himsel#: -This must (e some tric) o# that !retched oldman. ither this mountain is a cat or it is not. I# it is a mountain& this !on4t hurt it+ i# it is a cat& Iho"e it !ill.- /ith that& he "ulled out his "oc)et)ni#e& and #eeling #or a so#t "lace& dro$e it atone (lo! u" to the handle in the side o# the mountain.

A terri#ic shrie) !as the #irst result+ and the second& that Alice and he sat loo)ing at each otheracross the old man4s hum"& #rom !hich the catamountain had $anished. Their host sat staring atthe (lan) #ire"lace& !ithout e$er turning round& "retending to )no! nothing o# !hat had ta)en "lace.

-Come along& Alice&- said ichard& rising. -This !on4t do. /e !on4t sto" here.-

Alice rose at once& and "ut her hand in his. The% !al)ed to!ards the door. The old man too) nonotice o# them. The moon !as shining (rightl% through the !indo!+ (ut instead o# ste""ing outinto the moonlight !hen the% o"ened the door& the% ste""ed into a great (eauti#ul hall& throughthe high gothic !indo!s o# !hich the same moon !as shining. ut o# this hall the% could #indno !a%& e2ce"t (% a staircase o# stone !hich led u"!ards. The% ascended it together. At the to"Alice let go ichard4s hand to "ee" into a little room& !hich loo)ed all the colours o# therain(o!& ?ust li)e the inside o# a diamond. ichard !ent a ste" or t!o along a corridor& (ut#inding she had le#t him& turned and loo)ed into the cham(er. *e could see her no!here. Theroom !as #ull o# doors+ and she must ha$e mista)en the door. *e heard her $oice calling him&and hurried in the direction o# the sound. 'ut he could see nothing o# her. -More tric)s&- he saidto himsel#. -It is o# no use to sta( this one. I must !ait till I see !hat can (e done.- 9till he heard



Alice calling him& and still he #ollo!ed& as !ell as he could. At length he came to a door!a%&o"en to the air& through !hich the moonlight #ell. 'ut !hen he reached it& he #ound that it !ashigh u" in the side o# a to!er& the !all o# !hich !ent straight do!n #rom his #eet& !ithout stairor descent o# an% )ind. Again he heard Alice call him& and li#ting his e%es& sa! her& across a !idecastlecourt& standing at another door ?ust li)e the one he !as at& !ith the moon shining #ull u"on

her.

-All right& Alice@- he cried. -Can %ou hear me-

-Bes&- ans!ered she.

-Then listen. This is all a tric). It is all a lie o# that old !retch in the )itchen. ust reach out %ourhand& Alice dear.-

Alice did as ichard as)ed her+ and& although the% sa! each other man% %ards o## across thecourt& their hands met.

-There@ I thought so@- e2claimed ichard trium"hantl%. ->o!& Alice& I don4t (elie$e it is morethan a #oot or t!o do!n to the court (elo!& though it loo)s li)e a hundred #eet. <ee" #ast hold o#m% hand& and ?um" !hen I count three.- 'ut Alice dre! her hand #rom him in sudden disma%+!hereu"on ichard said& -/ell& I !ill tr% #irst&- and ?um"ed. The same moment his cheer% laughcame to Alice4s ears& and she sa! him standing sa#e on the ground& #ar (elo!.

-um"& dear Alice& and I !ill catch %ou&- said he.

-I can4t+ I am a#raid&- ans!ered she.

-The old man is some!here near %ou. Bou had (etter ?um"&- said ichard.

Alice s"rang #rom the !all in terror& and onl% #ell a #oot or t!o into ichard4s arms. The momentshe touched the ground& the% #ound themsel$es outside the door o# a little cottage !hich the%)ne! $er% !ell& #or it !as onl% ?ust !ithin the !ood that (ordered on their $illage. *and in handthe% ran home as #ast as the% could. /hen the% reached a little gate that led into her #ather4sgrounds& ichard (ade Alice good(%e. The tears came in her e%es. ichard and she seemed toha$e gro!n ,uite man and !oman in Fair%land& and the% did not !ant to "art no!. 'ut the% #eltthat the% must. 9o Alice ran in the (ac) !a%& and reached her o!n room (e#ore an%one hadmissed her. Indeed& the last o# the red had not ,uite #aded #rom the !est.

As ichard crossed the mar)et"lace on his !a% home& he sa! an um(rellaman ?ust selling thelast o# his um(rellas. *e thought the man ga$e him a ,ueer loo) as he "assed& and #elt $er% muchinclined to "unch his head. 'ut remem(ering ho! useless it had (een to "unch the go(lin4s head&he thought it (etter not.

In re!ard o# their courage& the Fair% Eueen sent them "ermission to $isit Fair%land as o#ten asthe% "leased+ and no go(lin or #air% !as allo!ed to inter#ere !ith them.



o$erloo)ed them someho! at his late coronationi# indeed the% had (een "resent+ #or he couldnot recollect that he had seen an%thing ?ust li)e them (e#ore. *e resol$ed& there#ore& to "a% "articular attention to their ha(its& !a%s& and characters+ else he sa! "lainl% that the% !ould soon (e too much #or him+ as indeed this intrusion into his cham(er& !here Mrs. in)elmann& !homust (e ,ueen i# he !as )ing& sat ta)ing some tea (% the #ireside& e$identl% #oreshado!ed. 'ut

she& "ercei$ing that he !as loo)ing a(out him !ith a more com"osed e2"ression than his #acehad !orn #or man% da%s& started u"& and came ,uic)l% and ,uietl% to his side& and her #ace !as (right !ith gladness. /hereu"on the #ire (urned u" more cheeril%+ and the #igures (ecame morecom"osed and res"ect#ul in their (eha$iour& retreating to!ards the !all li)e !elltrainedattendants. Then the )ing o# Fair%land had some tea and dr% toast& and leaning (ac) on his "illo!s& nearl% #ell aslee"+ (ut not ,uite& #or he still !atched the intruders.

3resentl% the ,ueen le#t the room to gi$e some o# the %oung "rinces and "rincesses their tea+ andthe #ire (urned lo!er& and (ehold& the #igures gre! as (lac) and as mad in their gam(ols as e$er@Their #a$ourite games seemed to (e 0*ide and 9ee)0+ 0Touch and Go0+ 0Grin and anish0+ andman% other such+ and all in the )ing4s (edcham(er& too+ so that it !as ,uite alarming. It !as

almost as (ad as i# the house had (een haunted (% certain creatures !hich shall (e nameless in a#air% stor%& (ecause !ith them Fair%land !ill not !illingl% ha$e much to do.

-'ut it is a merc% that the% ha$e their sli""ers on@- said the )ing to himsel#+ #or his head ached.

As he la% (ac)& !ith his e%es hal# shut and hal# o"en& too tired to "a% longer attention to theirgames& (ut& on the !hole& considera(l% more amused than o##ended !ith the li(erties the% too)&#or the% seemed goodnatured creatures& and more #rolicsome than "ositi$el% illmannered& he (ecame suddenl% a!are that t!o o# them had ste""ed #or!ard #rom the !alls& u"on !hich& a#terthe manner o# great s"iders& most o# them "re#erred s"ra!ling& and no! stood in the middle o#the #loor at the #oot o# his ma?est%4s (ed& (ec)ing and (o!ing and duc)ing in the mostgrotes,uel% o(se,uious manner+ !hile e$er% no! and then the% turned solemnl% round u"on oneheel& e$identl% considering that motion the highest to)en o# homage the% could sho!.

-/hat do %ou !ant- said the )ing.

-That it ma% "lease %our ma?est% to (e (etter ac,uainted !ith us&- ans!ered the%. -/e are %ourma?est%4s su(?ects.-

-I )no! %ou are. I shall (e most ha""%&- ans!ered the )ing.

-/e are not !hat %our ma?est% ta)es us #or& though. /e are not so #oolish as %our ma?est% thin)sus.-

-It is im"ossi(le to ta)e %ou #or an%thing that I )no! o#&- re?oined the )ing& !ho !ished to ma)ethem tal)& and said !hate$er came u""ermost+-#or soldiers& sailors& or an%thing: %ou !ill notstand still long enough. I su""ose %ou reall% (elong to the #ire (rigade+ at least& %ou )ee" "uttingits light out.-



-Don4t ?est& "lease %our ma?est%.- And as the% said the !ords#or the% (oth s"o)e at oncethroughout the inter$ie!the% "er#ormed a gra$e somerset to!ards the )ing.

->ot ?est@- retorted he+ -and !ith %ou /h%& %ou do nothing (ut ?est. /hat are %ou-

-The 9hado!s& sire. And !hen !e do ?est& sire& !e al!a%s ?est in earnest. 'ut "erha"s %ourma?est% does not see us distinctl%.-

-I see %ou "er#ectl% !ell&- returned the )ing.

-3ermit me& ho!e$er&- re?oined one o# the 9hado!s+ and as he s"o)e he a""roached the )ing+and li#ting a dar) #ore#inger& he dre! it lightl% (ut care#ull% across the ridge o# his #orehead& #romtem"le to tem"le. The )ing #elt the so#t gliding touch go& li)e !ater& into e$er% hollo!& and o$erthe to" o# e$er% height o# that mountainchain o# thought. *e had in$oluntaril% closed his e%esduring the o"eration& and !hen he unclosed them again& as soon as the #inger !as !ithdra!n& he#ound that the% !ere o"ened in more senses than one. The room a""eared to ha$e e2tended itsel#

on all sides& till he could not e2actl% see !here the !alls !ere+ and all a(out it stood the 9hado!smotionless. The% !ere tall and solemn+ rather a!#ul& indeed& in their a""earance&not!ithstanding man% remar)a(le traits o# grotes,ueness& #or the% loo)ed ?ust li)e the "ictures o# 3uritans dra!n (% Ca$aliers& !ith long arms& and $er% long& thin legs& #rom !hich hung largeloose #eet& !hile in their countenances length o# chin and nose "redominated. The solemnit% o#their mien& ho!e$er& o$ercame all the oddit% o# their #orm& so that the% !ere $er% 0eerie0 indeedto loo) at& dressed as the% all !ere in #unereal (lac). 'ut a single glance !as all that the )ing !asallo!ed to ha$e+ #or the #ormer o"erator !a$ed his dus)% "alm across his $ision& and once morethe )ing sa! onl% the #irelighted !alls& and dar) sha"es #lic)ering a(out u"on them. The t!o!ho had s"o)en #or the rest seemed li)e!ise to ha$e $anished. 'ut at last the )ing disco$eredthem& standing one on each side o# the #ire"lace. The% )e"t close to the chimne%!all& and tal)edto each other across the length o# the chimne%"iece+ thus a$oiding the direct ra%s o# the #ire&!hich& though light is necessar% to their a""earing to human e%es& do not agree !ith them at allmuch less gi$e (irth to them& as the )ing !as soon to learn. A#ter a #e! minutes the% againa""roached the (ed& and s"o)e thus:

-It is no! getting dar)& "lease %our ma?est%. /e mean& out o# doors in the sno!. Bour ma?est%ma% see& #rom !here he is l%ing& the cold light o# its great !indingsheeta #amous car"et #or the9hado!s to dance u"on& %our ma?est%. All our (rothers and sisters !ill (e at church no!& (e#oregoing to their night4s !or).-

-Do the% al!a%s go to church (e#ore the% go to !or)-

-The% al!a%s go to church #irst.-

-/here is the church-

-In Iceland. /ould %our ma?est% li)e to see it-



-*o! can I go and see it& !hen& as %ou )no! $er% !ell& I am ill in (ed 'esides& I should (e sureto ta)e cold in a #rost% night li)e this& e$en i# I "ut on the (lan)ets& and too) the #eather(ed #or amu##.-

A sort o# ,ui$ering "assed o$er their #aces& !hich seemed to (e their mode o# laughing. The

!hole sha"e o# the #ace shoo) and #luctuated as i# it had (een some dar) #luid+ till (% slo!degrees o# gathering calm& it settled into its #ormer rest. Then one o# them dre! aside the curtainso# the (ed& and the !indo!curtains not ha$ing (een %et dra!n& the )ing (eheld the !hiteglimmering night outside& struggling !ith the hea"s o# dar)ness that tried to ,uench it+ and thehea$ens #ull o# stars& #lashing and s"ar)ling li)e li$e ?e!els. The other 9hado! !ent to!ards the#ire and $anished in it.

9cores o# 9hado!s immediatel% (egan an insane dance all a(out the room+ disa""earing& onea#ter the other& through the unco$ered !indo!& and gliding dar)l% a!a% o$er the #ace o# the!hite sno!+ #or the !indo! loo)ed at once on a #ield o# sno!. In a #e! moments& the room !as,uite cleared o# them+ (ut instead o# (eing relie$ed (% their a(sence& the )ing #elt immediatel% as

i# he !ere in a deadhouse& and could hardl% (reathe #or the sense o# em"tiness and desolationthat #ell u"on him. 'ut as he la% loo)ing out on the sno!& !hich stretched (lan) and !ide (e#orehim& he s"ied in the distance a long dar) line !hich dre! nearer and nearer& and sho!ed itsel# atlast to (e all the 9hado!s& !al)ing in a dou(le ro!& and carr%ing in the midst o# them somethingli)e a (ier. The% $anished under the !indo!& (ut soon rea""eared& ha$ing someho! clim(ed u"the !all o# the house+ #or the% entered in "er#ect order (% the !indo!& as i# melting through thetrans"arenc% o# the glass.

The% still carried the (ier or litter. It !as co$ered !ith richest #urs& and s)ins o# gorgeous !ild (easts& !hose e%es !ere re"laced (% sa""hires and emeralds& that glittered and gleamed in the#ire and sno! light. The outermost s)in s"ar)led !ith #rost& (ut the inside ones !ere so#t and!arm and dr% as the do!n under a s!an4s !ing. The 9hado!s a""roached the (ed& and set thelitter u"on it. Then a num(er o# them (rought a huge #ur ro(e& and !ra""ing it round the )ing&laid him on the litter in the midst o# the #urs. >othing could (e more gentle and res"ect#ul thanthe !a% in !hich the% mo$ed him+ and he ne$er thought o# re#using to go. Then the% "utsomething on his head& and& li#ting the litter& carried him once round the room& to #all into order.As he "assed the mirror he sa! that he !as co$ered !ith ro%al ermine& and that his head !ore a!onder#ul cro!n o# gold& set !ith none (ut red stones: ru(ies and car(uncles and garnets& andothers !hose names he could not tell& glo!ed gloriousl% around his head& li)e the salamandrineessence o# all the Christmas #ires o$er the !orld. A sce"tre la% (eside hima rod o# e(on%&surmounted (% a conesha"ed diamond& !hich& cut in a hundred #acets& #lashed all the hues o# therain(o!& and thre! coloured gleams on e$er% side& that loo)ed li)e 9hado!s too& (ut moreethereal than those that (ore him. Then the 9hado!s rose gentl% to the !indo!& "assed throughit& and sin)ing slo!ing u"on the #ield o# outstretched sno!& commenced an orderl% gliding rather than march along the #ro5en sur#ace. The% too) it (% turns to (ear the )ing& as the% s"ed !ith thes!i#tness o# thought& in a straight line to!ards the north. The "olestar rose a(o$e their heads!ith $isi(le ra"idit%+ #or indeed the% mo$ed ,uite as #ast as sad thoughts& though not !ith all thes"eed o# ha""% desires. ngland and 9cotland slid "ast the litter o# the )ing o# the 9hado!s.$er ri$ers and la)es the% s)immed and glided. The% clim(ed the high mountains& and crossedthe $alle%s !ith a #earless (ound+ till the% came to ohno4Groat4s house and the >orthern 9ea.



The sea !as not #ro5en+ #or all the stars shone as clear out o# the dee"s (elo! as the% shone outo# the dee"s a(o$e+ and as the (earers slid along the (luegra% sur#ace& !ith ne$er a #urro! intheir trac)& so "ure !as the !ater (eneath that the )ing sa! neither sur#ace& (ottom& norsu(stance to it& and seemed to (e gliding onl% through the (lue s"here o# hea$en& !ith the starsa(o$e him& and the stars (elo! him& and (et!een the stars and him nothing (ut an em"tiness&

!here& #or the #irst time in his li#e& his soul #elt that it had room enough.

At length the% reached the roc)% shores o# Iceland. There the% landed& still "ursuing their ?ourne%. All this time the )ing #elt no cold+ #or the red stones in his cro!n )e"t him !arm& andthe emerald and sa""hire e%es o# the !ild (easts )e"t the #rosts #rom settling u"on his litter.

#tentimes u"on their !a% the% had to "ass through #orests& ca$erns& and roc)shado!ed "aths&!here it !as so dar) that at #irst the )ing #eared he should lose his 9hado!s altogether. 'ut assoon as the% entered such "laces& the diamond in his sce"tre (egan to shine and glo!& and #lash&sending out streams o# light o# all the colours that "ainter4s soul could dream o#+ in !hich lightthe 9hado!s gre! li$elier and stronger than e$er& s"eeding through the dar) !a%s !ith an all (ut

(linding s!i#tness. In the light o# the diamond& too& some o# their #orms (ecame more sim"le andhuman& !hile others seemed onl% to (rea) out into a %et more untama(le a(surdit%. nce& as the% "assed through a ca$e& the )ing actuall% sa! some o# their e%esstrange shado!e%es+ he hadne$er seen an% o# their e%es (e#ore. 'ut at the same moment !hen he sa! their e%es& he )ne!their #aces too& #or the% turned them #ull u"on him #or an instant+ and the other 9hado!s&catching sight o# these& shran) and shi$ered& and nearl% $anished. ;o$el% #aces the% !ere+ (utthe )ing !as $er% thought#ul a#ter he sa! them& and continued rather trou(led all the rest o# the ?ourne%. *e could not account #or those #aces (eing there& and the #aces o# 9hado!s& too& !ithli$ing e%es.

'ut he soon #ound that amongst the 9hgado!s a man must learn ne$er to (e sur"rised atan%thing+ #or i# he does not& he !ill soon gro! ,uite stu"id& in conse,uence o# the endlessrecurrence o# sur"rises.

At last the% clim(ed u" the (ed o# a little stream& and then& "assing through a narro! roc)%de#ile& came out suddenl% u"on the side o# a mountain& o$erloo)ing a (lue #ro5en la)e in the $er%heart o# might% hills. $erhead& the 0aurora (orealis0 !as shi$ering and #lashing li)e a (attle o#ten thousand s"ears. =nderneath& its (eams "assed #aintl% o$er the (lue ice and the sides o# thesno!clad mountains& !hose to"s shot u" li)e huge icicles all a(out& !ith here and there a stars"ar)ling on the $er% ti" o# one. 'ut as the northern lights in the s)% a(o$e& so !a$ered and,ui$ered& and shot hither and thither& the 9hado!s on the sur#ace o# the la)e (elo!+ no!gathering in grou"s& and no! shi$ering asunder+ no! co$ering the !hole sur#ace o# the la)e& andanon condensed into one dar) )not in the centre. $er% here and there on the !hite mountainsmight (e seen t!o or three shooting a!a% to!ards the to"s& to $anish (e%ond them& so that theirnum(er !as graduall%& though not $isi(l%& diminishing.

-3lease %our ma?est%&- said the 9hado!s& -this is our churchthe Church o# the 9hado!s.-

And so sa%ing& the )ing4s (od%guard set do!n the litter u"on a roc)& and "lunged into themultitudes (elo!. The% soon returned& ho!e$er& and (ore the )ing do!n into the middle o# the



la)e. All the 9hado!s came cro!ding round him& res"ect#ull% (ut #earlessl%+ and sure ne$er sucha grotes,ue assem(l% re$ealed itsel# (e#ore to mortal e%es. The )ing had seen all )ind o# gnomes&go(lins& and )o(olds at his coronation+ (ut the% !ere ,uite rectilinear #igures com"ared !ith theinsane la!lessness o# #orm in !hich the 9hado!s re?oiced+ and the !ildest gam(ols o# the#ormer !ere orderl% dances o# ceremon% (eside the a""arentl% aimless and !il#ul contortions o#

#igure& and metamor"hoses o# sha"e& in !hich the latter indulged. The% retained& ho!e$er& all thetime& to the sur"rise o# the )ing& an identit%& each o# his o!n t%"e& ine2"lica(l% "erce"ti(lethrough e$er% change. Indeed this "reser$ation o# the "rimar% idea o# each #orm !as more!onder#ul than the (e!ildering and ridiculous alterations to !hich the #orm itsel# !as e$er%moment su(?ected.

-/hat are %ou- said the )ing& leaning on his el(o!& and loo)ing around him.

-The 9hado!s& %our ma?est%&- ans!ered se$eral $oices at once.

-/hat 9hado!s-

-The human 9hado!s. The 9hado!s o# men& and !omen& and their children.-

-Are %ou not the shado!s o# chairs and ta(les& and "o)ers and tongs& ?ust as !ell-

At this ,uestion a strange ?arring commotion !ent through the assem(l% !ith a shoc). 9e$eral o# the #igures shot u" as high as the aurora& (ut instantl% settled do!n again to human si5e& as i#o$ermastering their #eelings& out o# res"ect to him !ho had roused them. ne !ho had (oundedto the highest $isi(le ic% "ea)& and as suddenl% returned& no! el(o!ed his !a% through the rest&and made himsel# s"o)esman #or them during the remaining "art o# the dialogue.

-2cuse our agitation& %our ma?est%&- said he. -I see %our ma?est% has not %et thought "ro"er toma)e himsel# ac,uainted !ith our nature and ha(its.-

-I !ish to do so no!&- re"lied the )ing.

-/e are the 9hado!s&- re"eated the 9hado! solemnl%.

-/ell- said the )ing.

-/e do not o#ten a""ear to men.-

-*a@- said the )ing.

-/e do not (elong to the sunshine at all. /e go through it unseen& and onl% (% a "assing chill domen recogni5e an un)no!n "resence.-

-*a@- said the )ing again.



-It is onl% in the t!ilight o# the #ire& or !hen one man or !oman is alone !ith a single candle& or!hen an% num(er o# "eo"le are all #eeling the same thing at once& ma)ing them one& that !esho! oursel$es& and the truth o# things.-

-Can that (e true that lo$es the night- said the )ing.

-The dar)ness is the nurse o# light&- ans!ered the 9hado!.

-Can that (e true !hich moc)s at #orms- said the )ing.

-Truth rides a(road in sha"eless storms&- ans!ered the 9hado!.

-*a@ ha@- thought al"h in)elmann& -it rh%mes. The 9hado! ca"s m% ,uestions !ith hisans!ers. er% strange@- And he gre! thought#ul again.

The 9hado! !as the #irst to resume.

-3lease %our ma?est%& ma% !e "resent our "etition-

-'% all means&- re"lied the )ing. -I am not !ell enough to recei$e it in "ro"er state.-

->e$er mind& %our ma?est%. /e do not care #or much ceremon%+ and indeed none o# us are ,uite!ell at "resent. The su(?ect o# our "etition !eighs u"on us.-

-Go on&- said the )ing.

-9ire&- (egan the 9hado!& -our $er% e2istence is in danger. The $arious sorts o# arti#icial light& (oth in houses and in men& !omen& and children& threaten to end our (eing. The use and thedis"osition o# gaslights& es"eciall% high in the centres& (lind the e%es (% !hich alone !e can (e "ercei$ed. /e are all (ut (anished #rom to!ns. /e are dri$en into $illages and lonel% houses&chie#l% old #armhouses& out o# !hich& e$en& our #riends the #airies are #ast disa""earing. /ethere#ore "etition our )ing& (% the "o!er o# his art& to restore us to our rights in the house itsel#&and in the hearts o# its inha(itants.-

-'ut&- said the )ing& -%ou #righten the children.-

-er% seldom& %our ma?est%+ and then onl% #or their good. /e seldom see) to #righten an%(od%./e mostl% !ant to ma)e "eo"le silent and thought#ul+ to a!e them a little& %our ma?est%.-

-Bou are much more li)el% to ma)e them laugh&- said the )ing.

-Are !e- said the 9hado!.

And a""roaching the )ing one ste"& he stood ,uite still #or a moment. The diamond o# the )ing4ssce"tre shot out a $i$id #lame o# $iolet light& and the )ing stared at the 9hado! in silence& and hisli" ,ui$ered. *e ne$er told !hat he sa! then+ (ut he !ould sa%:



-ust #anc% !hat it might (e i# 0some0 #litting thoughts !ere to "ersist in sta%ing to (e loo)edat.-

-It is onl%&- resumed the 9hado!& -!hen our thoughts are not #i2ed u"on an% "articular o(?ect&

that our (odies are su(?ect to all the $agaries o# elemental in#luences. Generall%& amongst!orldl% men and #ri$olous !omen& !e onl% attach oursel$es to some article o# #urniture or o#dress+ and the% ne$er dou(t that !e are mere #oolish and $ague results o# the dashing o# the!a$es o# the light against the solid #orms o# !hich their houses are #ull. /e do not care to tellthem the truth& #or the% !ould ne$er see it. 'ut let the !orldl% manor the #ri$olous !omanandthen-

At each o# the "auses indicated& the mass o# 9hado!s thro((ed and hea$ed !ith emotion+ (utthe% soon settled again into com"arati$e stillness. nce more the 9hado! addressed himsel# tos"ea). 'ut suddenl% the% all loo)ed u"& and the )ing& #ollo!ing their ga5e& sa! that the aurorahad (egun to "ale.

-The moon is rising&- said the 9hado!. -As soon as she loo)s o$er the mountains into the $alle%&!e must (e gone& #or !e ha$e "lent% to do (% the moon+ !e are "o!er#ul in her light. 'ut i# %our ma?est% !ill come here tomorro! night& %our ma?est% ma% learn a great deal more a(out us& and ?udge #or himsel# !hether it (e #it to accord our "etition+ #or then !ill (e our grand annualassem(l%& in !hich !e re"ort to our chie#s the things !e ha$e attem"ted& and the good or (adsuccess !e ha$e had.-

-I# %ou send #or me&- returned the )ing& -I !ill come.-

re the 9hado! could re"l%& the ti" o# the moon4s crescent horn "ee"ed u" #rom (ehind an ic% "innacle& and one slender ra% #ell on the la)e. It shone u"on no 9hado!s. re the e%e o# the )ingcould again see) the earth a#ter (eholding the #irst (rightness o# the moon4s resurrection& the%had $anished+ and the sur#ace o# the la)e glittered gold and (lue in the "ale moonlight.

There the )ing la%& alone in the midst o# the #ro5en la)e& !ith the moon staring at him. 'ut atlength he heard #rom some!here a $oice that he )ne!.

-/ill %ou ta)e another cu" o# tea& dear- said Mrs. in)elmann.

And al"h& coming slo!l% to himsel#& #ound that he !as l%ing in his o!n (ed.

-Bes& I !ill&- he ans!ered+ -and rather a large "iece o# toast& i# %ou "lease+ #or I ha$e (een a long ?ourne% since I sa! %ou last.-

-*e has not come to himsel# ,uite&- said Mrs. in)elmann& (et!een her and hersel#.

-Bou !ould (e rather sur"rised&- continued al"h& -i# I told %ou !here I had (een.-

-I dare sa% I should&- res"onded his !i#e.



-Then I !ill tell %ou&- re?oined al"h.

'ut at that moment& a great 9hado! (ounced out o# the #ire !ith a single huge lea"& and co$eredthe !hole room. Then it settled in one corner& and al"h sa! it sha)ing its #ist at him #rom the

end o# a "re"osterous arm. 9o he too) the hint& and held his "eace. And it !as as !ell #or him.For I ha""en to )no! something a(out the 9hado!s too+ and I )no! that i# he had told his !i#eall a(out it ?ust then& the% !ould not ha$e sent #or him the #ollo!ing e$ening.

'ut as the )ing& a#ter #inishing his tea and toast& la% and loo)ed a(out him& the 9hado!s dancingin his room seemed to him odder and more ine2"lica(le than e$er. The !hole cham(er !as #ullo# m%ster%. 9o it generall% !as& (ut no! it !as more m%sterious than e$er. A#ter all that he hadseen in the 9hado!church& his o!n room and its 9hado!s !ere %et more !onder#ul andunintelligi(le than those.

This made it the more li)el% that he had seen a true $ision+ #or instead o# ma)ing common things

loo) common"lace& as a #alse $ision !ould ha$e done& it had made common things disclose the!onder#ul that !as in them.

-The same a""lies to all arts as !ell&- thought al"h in)elmann.

The ne2t a#ternoon& as the t!ilight !as gro!ing dus)%& the )ing la% !ondering !hether or notthe 9hado!s !ould #etch him again. *e !anted $er% much to go& #or he had en?o%ed the ?ourne%e2ceedingl%& and he longed& (esides& to hear some o# the 9hado!s tell their stories. 'ut thedar)ness gre! dee"er and dee"er& and the shado!s did not come. The cause !as& that Mrs.in)elmann sat (% the #ire in the gloaming+ and the% could not carr% o## the )ing !hile she !asthere. 9ome o# them tried to #righten her a!a% (% "la%ing the oddest "ran)s on the !alls& and#loor& and ceiling+ (ut altogether !ithout e##ect+ the ,ueen onl% smiled& #or she had a goodconscience. 9uddenl%& ho!e$er& a dread#ul scream !as heard #rom the nurser%& and Mrs.in)elmann rushed u"stairs to see !hat !as the matter. >o sooner had she gone than the t!o!arders o# the chimne%corners ste""ed out into the middle o# the room& and said& in a lo!$oice&

-Is %our ma?est% read%-

-*a$e %ou no hearts- said the )ing+ -or are the% as (lac) as %our #aces Did %ou not hear thechild scream I must )no! !hat is the matter !ith her (e#ore I go.-

-Bour ma?est% ma% )ee" his mind eas% on that "oint&- re"lied the !arders. -/e had triede$er%thing !e could thin) o# to get rid o# her ma?est% the ,ueen& (ut !ithout e##ect. 9o a %oungmadca" 9hado!& hal# against the !ill o# the older ones o# us& sli""ed u"stairs into the nurser%+and has& no dou(t& succeeded in a""alling the (a(%& #or he is $er% lithe and longlegged.>o!&%our ma?est%.-

-I !ill ha$e no such tric)s "la%ed in m% nurser%&- said the )ing& rather angril%. -Bou might "utthe child (eside itsel#.-



-Then there !ould (e t!ins& %our ma?est%. And !e rather li)e t!ins.-

->one o# %our misera(le ?esting@ Bou might "ut the child out o# her !its.-

-Im"ossi(le& sire+ #or she has not got into them %et.-

-Go a!a%&- said the )ing.

-Forgi$e us& %our ma?est%. eall%& it !ill do the child good+ #or that 9hado! !ill& all her li#e& (eto her a s%m(ol o# !hat is ugl% and (ad. /hen she #eels in danger o# hating or en$%ing an%one&that 9hado! !ill come (ac) to her mind and ma)e her shudder.-

-er% !ell&- said the )ing. -I li)e that. ;et us go.-

The 9hado!s !ent through the same ceremonies and "re"arations as (e#ore+ during !hich& the

%oung 9hado! (e#orementioned contri$ed to ma)e such grimaces as )e"t the (a(% in terror& andthe ,ueen in the nurser%& till all !as read%. Then !ith a (ound that dou(led him u" against theceiling& and a )ic) o# his legs si2 #eet out (ehind him& he $anished through the nurser% door& andreached the )ing4s (edcham(er ?ust in time to ta)e his "lace !ith the last !ho !ere meltingthrough the !indo! in the rear o# the litter& and settling do!n u"on the sno! (eneath. A!a% the%!ent as (e#ore& a gliding (lac)ness o$er the !hite car"et. And it !as Christmase$e.

/hen the% came in sight o# the mountainla)e& the )ing sa! that it !as cro!ded o$er its !holesur#ace !ith a change#ul intermingling o# 9hado!s. The% !ere all tal)ing and listeningalternatel%& in "airs& trios& and grou"s o# e$er% si5e. *ere and there large com"anies !erea(sor(ed in attention to one ele$ated a(o$e the rest& not in a "ul"it& or on a "lat#orm& (ut on thestilts o# his o!n legs& elongated #or the nonce. The aurora& right o$erhead& lighted u" the la)e andthe sides o# the mountains& (% sending do!n #rom the 5enith& nearl% to the sur#ace o# the la)e&great #olded $a"ours& luminous !ith all the colours o# a #aint rain(o!.

Man%& ho!e$er& as the !ords !ere that "assed on all sides& not a shado! o# a sound reached theears o# the )ing: the shado!s"eech could not enter his cor"oreal organs. ne o# his guides&ho!e$er& seeing that the )ing !anted to hear and could not& !ent through a strange mani"ulationo# his head and ears+ a#ter !hich he could hear "er#ectl%& though still onl% the $oice to !hich& #orthe time& he directed his attention. This& ho!e$er& !as a great ad$antage& and one !hich the )inglonged to carr% (ac) !ith him to the !orld o# men.

The )ing no! disco$ered that this !as not merel% the church o# the 9hado!s& (ut their ne!se2change at the same time. For& as the shado!s ha$e no !riting or "rinting& the onl% !a% in!hich the% can ma)e each other ac,uainted !ith their doings and thin)ings& is to meet and tal) atthis !ordmart and "arliament o# shades. And as& in the !orld& "eo"le read their #a$ouriteauthors& and listen to their #a$ourite s"ea)ers& so here the 9hado!s see) their #a$ourite 9hado!s&listen to their ad$entures& and hear generall% !hat the% ha$e to sa%.



Feeling ,uite strong& the )ing rose and !al)ed a(out amongst them& !ra""ed in his ermine ro(e&!ith his red cro!n on his head& and his diamond sce"tre in his hand. $er% grou" o# 9hado!s to!hich he dre! near& ceased tal)ing as soon as the% sa! him a""roach+ (ut at a nod the% !ent onagain directl%& con$ersing and relating and commenting& as i# no one !as there o# other )ind oro# higher ran) than themsel$es. 9o the )ing heard a good man% stories. At some o# them he

laughed& and at some o# them he cried. 'ut i# the stories that the 9hado!s told !ere "rinted& the%!ould ma)e a (oo) that no "u(lisher could "roduce #ast enough to satis#% the (u%ers. I !illrecord some o# the things that the )ing heard& #or he told them to me soon a#ter. In #act& I !as #orsome time his "ri$ate secretar%.

-I made him con#ess (e#ore a !ee) !as o$er&- said a gloom% old 9hado!.

-'ut !hat !as the good o# that- re?oined a "ert %oung one. -That could not undo !hat !asdone.-

-Bes& it could.-

-/hat@ (ring the dead to li#e-

->o+ (ut com#ort the murderer. I could not (ear to see the "itia(le miser% he !as in. *e !as #arha""ier !ith the ro"e round his nec)& than he !as !ith the "urse in his "oc)et. I sa$ed him #rom)illing himsel# too.-

-*o! did %ou ma)e him con#ess-

-nl% (% !allo!ing on the !all a little.-

-*o! could that ma)e him tell-

-0*e0 )no!s.-

The 9hado! !as silent+ and the )ing turned to another& !ho !as "re"aring to s"ea).

-I made a #ashiona(le mother re"ent.-

-*o!- (ro)e #rom se$eral $oices& in !hose sound !as mingled a touch o# incredulit%.

-nl% (% ma)ing a little co##in on the !all&- !as the re"l%.

-Did the #ashiona(le mother con#ess too-

-9he had nothing more to con#ess than e$er%(od% )ne!.-

-/hat did e$er%(od% )no! then-



-That she might ha$e (een )issing a li$ing child& !hen she #ollo!ed a dead one to the gra$e.The ne2t !ill #are (etter.-

-I "ut a sto" to a !edding&- said another.

-*orrid shade@- remar)ed a "oetic im".

-*o!- said others. -Tell us ho!.-

-nl% (% thro!ing a dar)ness& as i# #rom the (ranch o# a sconce& o$er the #orehead o# a #airgirl.The% are not married %et& and I do not thin) the% !ill (e. 'ut I lo$ed the %outh !ho lo$edher. *o! he started@ It !as a re$elation to him.-

-'ut did it not decei$e him-

-Euite the contrar%.-

-'ut it !as onl% a shado! #rom the outside& not a shado! coming through #rom the soul o# thegirl.-

-Bes. Bou ma% sa% so. 'ut it !as all that !as !anted to ma)e the meaning o# her #oreheadmani#est%es& o# her !hole #ace& !hich had no! and then& in the "auses o# his "assion& "er"le2ed the %outh. All o# it& curled nostrils& "outing li"s& "ro?ecting chin& instantl% #ell intoharmon% !ith that dar)ness (et!een her e%e(ro!s. The %outh understood it in a moment& and!ent home misera(le. And the%4re not married 0%et0.-

-I caught a to"er alone& o$er his magnum o# "ort&- said a $er% dar) 9hado!+ -and didn4t I gi$e ithim@ I made 0delirium tremens0 #irst+ and then I settled into a #uneral& "assing slo!l% along thelength o# the o""osite !all. I ga$e him "lent% o# "lumes and mourning coaches. And then I ga$ehim a #uneral ser$ice& (ut I could not manage to ma)e the sur"lice !hite& !hich !as all the (etter #or such a sinner. The !retch stared till his #ace "assed #rom "ur"le to gre%& and actuall% le#t his#i#th glass onl%& un#inished& and too) re#uge !ith his !i#e and children in the dra!ingroom&much to their sur"rise. I (elie$e he actuall% dran) a cu" o# tea+ and although I ha$e o#ten loo)edin since& I ha$e ne$er caught him again& drin)ing alone at least.-

-'ut does he drin) less *a$e %ou done him an% good-

-I ho"e so+ (ut I am sorr% to sa% I can4t #eel sure a(out it.-

-*um"h@ *um"h@ *um"h@- grunted $arious shado! throats.

-I had such #un once@- cried another. -I made such game o# a %oung clerg%man@-

-Bou ha$e no right to ma)e game o# an%one.-

-h %es& I ha$e!hen it is #or his good. *e used to stud% his sermons!here do %ou thin)-



-In his stud%& o# course. /here else should it (e-

-Bes and no. Guess again.-

-ut amongst the #aces in the streets.-

-Guess again.-

-In still green "laces in the countr%-

-Guess again.-

-In old (oo)s-

-Guess again.-

->o& no. Tell us.-

-In the loo)ing glass. *a@ ha@ ha@-

-*e !as #air game+ #air shado! game.-

-I thought so. And I made such #un o# him one night on the !all@ *e had sense enough to see thatit !as himsel#& and $er% li)e an a"e. 9o he got ashamed& turned the mirror !ith its #ace to the!all& and thought a little more a(out his "eo"le& and a little less a(out himsel#. I !as $er% glad+#or& "lease %our ma?est%&-and here the s"ea)er turned to!ards the )ing-!e don4t li)e thecreatures that li$e in the mirrors. Bou call them ghosts& don4t %ou-

'e#ore the )ing could re"l%& another had commenced. 'ut the stor% a(out the clerg%man hadmade the )ing !ish to hear one o# the shado!sermons. 9o he turned him to!ards a long9hado!& !ho !as "reaching to a $er% ,uiet and listening cro!d. *e !as ?ust concluding hissermon.

-There#ore& dear 9hado!s& it is the more need#ul that !e lo$e one another as much as !e can& (ecause that is not much. /e ha$e no such e2cuse #or not lo$ing as mortals ha$e& #or !e do notdie li)e them. I su""ose it is the thought o# that death that ma)es them hate so much. Then again&!e go to slee" all da%& most o# us& and not in the night& as men do. And %ou )no! that !e #orgete$er%thing that ha""ened the night (e#ore+ there#ore& !e ought to lo$e !ell& #or the lo$e is short.Ah@ dear 9hado!& !hom I lo$e no! !ith all m% shado!% soul& I shall not lo$e thee tomorro!e$e& I shall not )no! thee+ I shall "ass thee in the cro!d and ne$er dream that the 9hado! !homI no! lo$e is near me then. *a""% 9hades@ #or !e onl% remem(er our tales until !e ha$e toldthem here& and then the% $anish in the shado!church%ard& !here !e (ur% onl% our dead sel$es.Ah@ (rethren& !ho !ould (e a man and remem(er /ho !ould (e a man and !ee" /e oughtindeed to lo$e one another& #or !e alone inherit o(li$ion+ !e alone are rene!ed !ith eternal (irth+ !e alone ha$e no gathered !eight o# %ears. I !ill tell %ou the a!#ul #ate o# one 9hado!



!ho re(elled against his nature& and sought to remem(er the "ast. *e said& 4I 0!ill0 remem(erthis e$e.4 *e #ought !ith the genial in#luences o# )indl% slee" !hen the sun rose on the a!#uldead da% o# light+ and although he could not )ee" ,uite a!a)e& he dreamed o# the #oregone e$e&and he ne$er #orgot his dream. Then he tried again the ne2t night& and the ne2t& and the ne2t+ andhe tem"ted another 9hado! to tr% it !ith him. 'ut at last their a!#ul #ate o$ertoo) them+ #or&

instead o# continuing to (e 9hado!s& the% (egan to cast shado!s& as #oolish men sa%+ and so the%thic)ened and thic)ened till the% $anished out o# our !orld. The% are no! condemned to !al)the earth& a man and a !oman& !ith death (ehind them& and memories !ithin them. Ah& (rother9hades@ let us lo$e one another& #or !e shall soon #orget. /e are not men& (ut 9hado!s.-

The )ing turned a!a%& and "itied the "oor 9hado!s #ar more than the% "itied men.

-h@ ho! !e "la%ed !ith a musician one night@- e2claimed a 9hado! in another grou"& to !hichthe )ing had #irst directed a "assing thought& and then had sto""ed to listen.-=" and do!n !e!ent& li)e the hammers and dam"ers on his "iano. 'ut he too) his re$enge on us. For a#ter hehad !atched us #or hal# an hour in the t!ilight& he rose and !ent to his instrument& and "la%ed a

shado!dance that #i2ed us all in sound #or e$er. ach could tell the $er% notes meant #or him+and as long as he "la%ed& !e could not sto"& (ut !ent on dancing and dancing a#ter the music& ?ust as the magicianI mean the musician"leased. And he "unished us !ell+ #or he nearl%danced us all o## our legs and out o# sha"e into tired hea"s o# colla"sed and "al"itating dar)ness./e !on4t go near him #or some time again& i# !e can onl% remem(er it. *e had (een $er%misera(le all da%& he !as so "oor+ and !e could not thin) o# an% !a% o# com#orting him e2ce"tma)ing him laugh. /e did not succeed& !ith our !ildest e##orts+ (ut it turned out (etter than !ehad e2"ected& a#ter all+ #or his shado!dance got him into notice& and he is ,uite "o"ular no!&and ma)ing mone% #ast.I# he does not ta)e care& !e shall ha$e other !or) to do !ith him (%and (%& "oor #ello!@-

-I and some others did the same #or a "oor "la%!riter once. *e had a Christmas "iece to !rite&and [not (eing an original genius& it !as not so eas% #or him to #ind a su(?ect as it is #or most o#his class. I sa! the trou(le he !as in& and collecting a #e! stra% 9hado!s& !e acted& in dum(sho! o# course& the #unniest (it o# nonsense !e could thin) o#+ and it !as ,uite success#ul. The "oor #ello! !atched e$er% motion& roaring !ith laughter at us& and delight at the ideas !e "utinto his head. *e turned it all into !ords& and scenes& and actions+ and the "iece came o## !ith as"lendid success.-

-'ut ho! long !e ha$e to loo) #or a chance o# doing an%thing !orth doing&- said a long& thin&es"eciall% lugu(rious 9hado!. -I ha$e onl% done one thing !orth telling e$er since !e met last.'ut I am "roud o# that.-

-/hat !as it /hat !as it- rose #rom t!ent% $oices.

-I cre"t into a diningroom& one t!ilight& soon a#ter Christmasda%. I had (een dra!n thither (%the glo! o# a (right #ire shining through red !indo!curtains. At #irst I thought there !as no onethere& and !as on the "oint o# lea$ing the room& and going out again into the sno!% street& !henI suddenl% caught the s"ar)le o# e%es. I #ound that the% (elonged to a little (o% !ho la% $er% stillon a so#a. I cre"t into a dar) corner (% the side(oard& and !atched him. *e seemed $er% sad& and



did nothing (ut stare into the #ire. At last he sighed out&4I !ish mamma !ould come home.443oor (o%@4 thought I& 4there is no hel" #or that (ut mamma.4 Bet I !ould tr% to !hile a!a% thetime #or him. 9o out o# m% corner I stretched a long shado! arm& reaching all across the ceiling&and "retended to ma)e a gra( at him. *e !as rather #rightened at #irst+ (ut he !as a (ra$e (o%&and soon sa! that it !as all a ?o)e. 9o !hen I did it again& he made a clutch at me+ and then !e

had such #un@ For though he o#ten sighed and !ished mamma !ould come home& he al!a%s (egan again !ith me+ and on !e !ent !ith the !ildest games. At last his mother4s )noc) came tothe door& and starting u" in delight& he rushed into the hall to meet her& and #orgot all a(out "oor (lac) me. 'ut I did not mind that in the least+ #or !hen I glided out a#ter him into the hall& I !as!ell re"aid #or m% trou(le (% hearing his mother sa% to him&4/h%& Charlie& m% dear& %ou loo)e$er so much (etter since I le#t %ou@4 At that moment I sli""ed through the closing door& and as Iran across the sno!& I heard the mother sa%&4/hat shado! can that (e& "assing so ,uic)l%4 AndCharlie ans!ered !ith a merr% laugh&4h@ mamma& I su""ose it must (e the #unn% shado! thathas (een "la%ing such games !ith me all the time %ou !ere out.4 As soon as the door !as shut& Icre"t along the !all and loo)ed in at the diningroom !indo!. And I heard his mamma sa%& asshe led him into the room& 4/hat an imagination the (o% has@4 *a@ ha@ ha@ Then she loo)ed at

him& and the tears came in her e%es+ and she stoo"ed do!n o$er him& and I heard the sounds o# amingling )iss and so(.-

-I al!a%s loo) #or nurseries #ull o# children&- said another+ -and this !inter I ha$e (een $er%#ortunate. I am sure children (elong es"eciall% to us. ne e$ening& loo)ing a(out in a great cit%& Isa! through the !indo! into a large nurser%& !here the odious gas had not %et (een lighted.ound the #ire sat a com"an% o# the most delight#ul children I had e$er seen. The% !ere !aiting "atientl% #or their tea. It !as too good an o""ortunit% to (e lost. I hurried a!a%& and gatheringtogether t!ent% o# the (est 9hado!s I could #ind& returned in a #e! moments+ and entering thenurser%& !e danced on the !alls one o# our (est dances. To (e sure it !as mostl% e2tem"ori5ed+ (ut I managed to )ee" it in harmon% (% singing this song& !hich I made as !e !ent on. #course the children could not hear it+ the% onl% sa! the motions that ans!ered to it+ (ut !iththem the% seemed to (e $er% much delighted indeed& as I shall "resentl% "ro$e to %ou. This !asthe song:

49!ing& s!ang& s!ingle& s!u##& Flic)er& #lac)er& #ling& #lu##@ Thus !e go& To and #ro+ *ere and there& $er%!here& 'orn and (red+ >e$er dead& nl% gone.

4n@ Come on. ;ooming& glooming& 9"reading& #uming& 9hattering& scattering&



3arting& darting& 9ettling& starting& All our li#e Is a stri#e& And a !ear%ing #or rest

n the dar)ness4 #riendl% (reast.

4oining& s"litting& ising& sitting& ;aughing& sha)ing& 9ides all aching& Grum(ling& grim& and gru##. 9!ingle& s!angle& s!u##@

4>o! a )not o# dar)ness+ >o! dissol$ed gloom+

>o! a "all o# (lac)ness *iding all the room. Flic)er& #lac)er& #lu##@ 'lac)& and (lac) enough@

4Dancing no! li)e demons+ ;%ing li)e the dead+ Gladl% !ould !e sto" it& And go do!n to (ed@ 'ut our !or) !e still must do& 9hado! men& as !ell as %ou.

4ooting& rising& shooting& *ea$ing& sin)ing& cree"ing+ *id in corners crooning+ 9"litting& "o)ing& lea"ing& Gathering& to!ering& s!ooning. /hen !e4re lur)ing& Bet !e4re !or)ing& For our la(our !e must do& 9hado! men& as !ell as %ou. Flic)er& #lac)er& #ling& #lu##@ 9!ing& s!ang& s!ingle& s!u##@4

-4*o! thic) the 9hado!s are@4 said one o# the childrena thought#ul little girl.

-4I !onder !here the% come #rom&4 said a dream% little (o%.



-4I thin) the% gro! out o# the !all&4 ans!ered the little girl+ 4#or I ha$e (een !atching them come+#irst one and then another& and then a !hole lot o# them. I am sure the% gro! out o# the !alls.4

-43erha"s the% ha$e "a"as and mammas&4 said an older (o%& !ith a smile.

-4Bes& %es+ and the doctor (rings them in his "oc)et&4 said another& a conse,uential little maiden.

-4>o+ I4ll tell %ou&4 said the older (o%: 4the%4re ghosts.4

-4'ut ghosts are !hite.4

-4h@ (ut these ha$e got (lac) coming do!n the chimne%.4

-4>o&4 said a curiousloo)ing& !hite#aced (o% o# #ourteen& !ho had (een reading (% the #irelight&and had sto""ed to hear the little ones tal)+ 4the%4re (od% ghosts+ the%4re not soul ghosts.4

-4A silence #ollo!ed& (ro)en (% the #irst& the dream%e%ed (o%& !ho said&

-4I ho"e the% didn4t ma)e me+4 at !hich the% all (urst out laughing. ust then the nurse (rought intheir tea& and !hen she "roceeded to light the gas& !e $anished.-

-I sto""ed a murder&- cried another.

-*o! *o! *o!-

-I !ill tell %ou. I had (een lur)ing a(out a sic)room #or some time& !here a miser la%&a""arentl% d%ing. I did not li)e the "lace at all& (ut I #elt as i# I should (e !anted there. There!ere "lent% o# lur)ing"laces a(out& #or the room !as #ull o# all sorts o# old #urniture& es"eciall%ca(inets& chests& and "resses. I (elie$e he had in that room e$er% (it o# the "ro"ert% he had s"enta long li#e in gathering. I #ound that he had gold and gold in those "laces+ #or one night& !hen hisnurse !as a!a%& he cre"t out o# (ed& mum(ling and sha)ing& and managed to o"en one o# hischests& though he nearl% #ell do!n !ith the e##ort. I !as "ee"ing o$er his shoulder& and such agleam o# gold #ell u"on me& that it nearl% )illed me. 'ut hearing his nurse coming& he slammedthe lid do!n& and I reco$ered.

-I tried $er% hard& (ut I could not do him an% good. For although I made all sorts o# sha"es on the!alls and ceiling& re"resenting e$il deeds that he had done& o# !hich there !ere "lent% to choose#rom& I could ma)e no sha"es on his (rain or conscience. *e had no e%es #or an%thing (ut gold.And it so ha""ened that his nurse had neither e%es nor heart #or an%thing else either.

-4ne da%& as she !as seated (eside his (ed& (ut !here he could not see her& stirring some gruelin a (asin& to cool it #rom him& I sa! her ta)e a little "hial #rom her (osom& and I )ne! (% thee2"ression o# her #ace (oth !hat it !as and !hat she !as going to do !ith it. Fortunatel% thecor) !as a little hard to get out& and this ga$e me one moment to thin).



-The room !as so cro!ded !ith all sorts o# things& that although there !ere no curtains on the#our"ost (ed to hide #rom the miser the sight o# his "recious treasures& there !as %et (ut onesmall "art o# the ceiling suita(le #or casting m%sel# u"on in the sha"e I !ished to assume. Andthis s"ot !as hard to reach. 'ut ha$ing disco$ered that u"on this $er% "lace la% a dull gleam o##irelight thro!n #rom a strange old dust% mirror that stood a!a% in some corner& I got in #ront o#

the #ire& s"ied !here the mirror !as& thre! m%sel# u"on it& and (ounded #rom its #ace u"on theo$al "ool o# dim light on the ceiling& assuming& as I "assed& the sha"e o# an old stoo"ing hag&!ho "oured something #rom a "hial into a (asin. I made the handle o# the s"oon !ith m% o!nnose& ha@ ha@- And the shado!hand caressed the shado!ti" o# the shado!nose& (e#ore theshado!tongue resumed.

-The old miser sa! me: he !ould not taste the gruel that night& although his nurse coa2ed andscolded till the% !ere (oth !ear%. 9he "retended to taste it hersel#& and to thin) it $er% good+ (utat last retired into a corner& and a#ter ma)ing as i# she !ere eating it& too) good care to "our it allout into the ashes.-

-'ut she must either succeed& or star$e him& at last&- inter"osed a 9hado!.

-I !ill tell %ou.-

-And&- inter"osed a third& -he !as not !orth sa$ing.-

-*e might re"ent&- suggested another !ho !as more (ene$olent.

->o chance o# that&- returned the #ormer. -Misers ne$er do. The lo$e o# mone% has less in it tocure itsel# than an% other !ic)edness into !hich !retched men can #all. /hat a merc% it is to (e (orn a 9hado!@ /ic)edness does not stic) to us. /hat do !e care #or gold@u((ish@-

-Amen@ Amen@ Amen@- came #rom a hundred shado!$oices.

-Bou should ha$e let her murder him& and so %ou !ould ha$e (een ,uit o# him.-

-And (esides& ho! !as he to esca"e at last *e could ne$er get rid o# her& %ou )no!.-

-I !as going to tell %ou&- resumed the narrator& -onl% %ou had so man% shado!remar)s to ma)e&that %ou !ould not let me.-

-Go on+ go on.-

-There !as a little grandchild !ho used to come and see him sometimesthe onl% creature themiser cared #or. *er mother !as his daughter+ (ut the old man !ould ne$er see her& (ecause shehad married against his !ill. *er hus(and !as no! dead& (ut he had not #orgi$en her %et. A#terthe shado! he had seen& ho!e$er& he said to himsel#& as he la% a!a)e that nightI sa! the !ordson his #ace4*o! shall I get rid o# that old de$il I# I don4t eat I shall die+ and i# I do eat I shall (e "oisoned. I !ish little Mar% !ould come. Ah@ her mother !ould ne$er ha$e ser$ed me so.4 *ela% a!a)e& thin)ing such things o$er and o$er again& all night long& and I stood !atching him



#rom a dar) corner& till the da%s"ring came and shoo) me out. /hen I came (ac) ne2t night& theroom !as tid% and clean. *is o!n daughter& a sad#aced (ut (eauti#ul !oman& sat (% his (edside+and little Mar% !as curled u" on the #loor (% the #ire& imitating us& (% ma)ing ,ueer shado!s onthe ceiling !ith her t!isted hands. 'ut she could not thin) ho! e$er the% got there. And no!onder& #or I hel"ed her to some $er% unaccounta(le ones.-

-I ha$e a stor% a(out a granddaughter& too&- said another& the moment that s"ea)er ceased.

-Tell it. Tell it.-

-;ast Christmasda%&- he (egan& -I and a troo" o# us set out in the t!ilight to #ind some house!here !e could all ha$e something to do+ #or !e had made u" our minds to act together. /e triedse$eral& (ut #ound o(?ections to them all. At last !e es"ied a large lonel% countr%house& andhastening to it& !e #ound great "re"arations ma)ing #or the Christmas dinner. /e rushed into it&scam"ered all o$er it& and made u" our minds in a moment that it !ould do. /e amusedoursel$es in the nurser% #irst& !here there !ere se$eral children (eing dressed #or dinner. /e

generall% do go to the nurser% #irst& %our ma?est%. This time !e !ere es"eciall% charmed !ith alittle girl a(out #i$e %ears old& !ho cla""ed her hands and danced a(out !ith delight at the antics!e "er#ormed+ and !e said !e !ould do something #or her i# !e had a chance. The com"an% (egan to arri$e+ and at e$er% arri$al !e rushed to the hall& and cut !onder#ul ca"ers o# !elcome.'et!een times !e scudded a!a% to see ho! the dressing !ent on. ne girl a(out eighteen !asdelight#ul. 9he dressed hersel# as i# she did not care much a(out it& (ut could not hel" doing it "rettil%. /hen she too) her last loo) at the "hantom in the glass& she hal# smiled to it.'ut 0!e0do not li)e those creatures that come into the mirrors at all& %our ma?est%. /e don4t understandthem. The% are dread#ul to us.9he loo)ed rather sad and "ale& (ut $er% s!eet and ho"e#ul. 9o!e !anted to )no! all a(out her& and soon #ound out that she !as a distant relation and a great#a$ourite o# the gentleman o# the house& an old man& in !hose #ace (ene$olence !as mingled!ith o(stinac% and a dee" shade o# the t%rannical. /e could not admire him much+ (ut !e !ouldnot ma)e u" our minds all at once: 9hado!s ne$er do.

-The dinner(ell rang& and do!n !e hurried. The children all loo)ed ha""%& and !e !ere merr%.'ut there !as one cross #ello! among the ser$ants& and didn4t !e "lague him@ and didn4t !e get#un out o# him@ /hen he !as (ringing u" dishes& !e la% in !ait #or him at e$er% corner& ands"rang u"on him #rom the #loor& and #rom o$er the (anisters& and do!n #rom the cornices. *estarted and stum(led and (lundered so in conse,uence& that his #ello!ser$ants thought he !asti"s%. nce he dro""ed a "late& and had to "ic) u" the "ieces& and hurr% a!a% !ith them+ anddidn4t !e "ursue him as he !ent@ It !as luc)% #or him his master did not see ho! he !ent on+ (ut!e too) care not to let him get into an% real scra"e& though he !as ,uite da5ed !ith the dodgingo# the unaccounta(le shado!s. 9ometimes he thought the !alls !ere coming do!n u"on him+sometimes that the #loor !as ga"ing to s!allo! him+ sometimes that he !ould (e )noc)ed to "ieces (% the hurr%ing to and #ro& or (e smothered in the (lac) cro!d.

-/hen the (la5ing "lum"udding !as carried in !e made a "er#ect shado!carni$al a(out it&dancing and mumming in the (lue #lames& li)e mad demons. And ho! the children screamed!ith delight@



-The old gentleman& !ho !as $er% #ond o# children& !as laughing his heartiest laugh& !hen aloud )noc) came to the halldoor. The #air maiden started& turned "aler& and then red as theChristmas #ire. I sa! it& and #lung m% hands across her #ace. 9he !as $er% glad& and I )no! shesaid in her heart& 4Bou )ind 9hado!@4 !hich "aid me !ell. Then I #ollo!ed the rest into the hall&and #ound there a ?oll%& handsome& (ro!n#aced sailor& e$identl% a son o# the house. The old man

recei$ed him !ith tears in his e%es& and the children !ith shouts o# ?o%. The maiden esca"ed inthe con#usion& ?ust in time to sa$e hersel# #rom #ainting. /e cro!ded a(out the lam" to hide herretreat& and nearl% "ut it out+ and the (utler could not get it to (urn u" (e#ore she had glided intoher "lace again& relie$ed to #ind the room so dar). The sailor onl% had seen her go& and no! hesat do!n (eside her& and& !ithout a !ord& got hold o# her hand in the gloom. /hen !e allscattered to the !alls and the corners& and the lam" (la5ed u" again& he let her hand go.

-During the rest o# the dinner the old man !atched the t!o& and sa! that there !as something (et!een them& and !as $er% angr%. For he !as an im"ortant man in his o!n estimation& and the%had ne$er consulted him. The #act !as& the% had ne$er )no!n their o!n minds till the sailor hadgone u"on his last $o%age& and had learned each other4s onl% this moment./e #ound out all this

(% !atching them& and then tal)ing together a(out it a#ter!ards.The old gentleman sa!& too&that his #a$ourite& !ho !as under such o(ligation to him #or lo$ing her so much& lo$ed his son (etter than him+ and he gre! (% degrees so ?ealous that he o$ershado!ed the !hole ta(le !ithhis morose loo)s and short ans!ers. That )ind o# shado!ing is $er% di##erent #rom ours+ and theChristmas dessert gre! so gloom% that !e 9hado!s could not (ear it& and !ere delighted !henthe ladies rose to go to the dra!ingroom. The gentlemen !ould not sta% (ehind the ladies& e$en#or the sa)e o# the !ell)no!n !ine. 9o the mood% host& not!ithstanding his hos"italit%& !as le#talone at the ta(le in the great silent room. /e #ollo!ed the com"an% u"stairs to the dra!ingroom& and thence to the nurser% #or sna"dragon+ (ut !hile the% !ere (us% !ith this mostshado!% o# games& nearl% all the 9hado!s cre"t do!nstairs again to the diningroom& !here theold man still sat& gna!ing the (one o# his o!n sel#ishness. The% cro!ded into the room& and (%using e$er% )ind o# e2"ansion(lo!ing themsel$es out li)e soa"(u((lesthe% succeeded inhea"ing u" the !hole room !ith shade u"on shade. The% clustered thic)est a(out the #ire and thelam"& till at last the% almost dro!ned them in hills o# dar)ness.

-'e#ore the% had accom"lished so much& the children& tired !ith #un and #rolic& had (een "ut to (ed. 'ut the little girl o# #i$e %ears old& !ith !hom !e had (een so "leased !hen #irst !earri$ed& could not go to slee". 9he had a little room o# her o!n+ and I had !atched her to (ed&and no! )e"t her a!a)e (% gam(olling in the ra%s o# the nightlight. /hen her e%es !ere once#i2ed u"on me& I too) the sha"e o# her grand#ather& re"resenting him on the !all as he sat in hischair& !ith his head (ent do!n and his arms hanging listlessl% (% his sides. And the childremem(ered that that !as ?ust as she had seen him last+ #or she had ha""ened to "ee" in at thediningroom door a#ter all the rest had gone u"stairs. 4/hat i# he should (e sitting there still&4thought she& 4all alone in the dar)@4 9he scram(led out o# (ed and cre"t do!n.

-Meantime the others had made the room (elo! so dar)& that onl% the #ace and !hite hair o# theold man could (e diml% discerned in the shado!% cro!d. For he had #illed his o!n mind !ithshado!s& !hich !e 9hado!s !anted to dra! out o# him. Those shado!s are $er% di##erent #romus& %our ma?est% )no!s. *e !as thin)ing o# all the disa""ointments he had had in li#e& and o# allthe ingratitude he had met !ith. And he thought #ar more o# the good he had done& than the good



others had got. 4A#ter all I ha$e done #or them&4 said he& !ith a sigh o# (itterness& 4not one o# themcares a stra! #or me. M% o!n children !ill (e glad !hen I am gone@4At that instant he li#ted u"his e%es and sa!& standing close (% the door& a tin% #igure in a long nightgo!n. The door (ehindher !as shut. It !as m% little #riend& !ho had cre"t in noiselessl%. A "ang o# ic% #ear shot to theold man4s heart& (ut it melted a!a% as #ast& #or !e made a lane through us #or a single ra% #rom

the #ire to #all on the #ace o# the little s"rite+ and he thought it !as a child o# his o!n that haddied !hen ?ust the age o# her childniece& !ho no! stood loo)ing #or her grand#ather among the9hado!s. *e thought she had come out o# her gra$e in the cold dar)ness to as) !h% her #ather!as sitting alone on Christmasda%. And he #elt he had no ans!er to gi$e his little ghost& (ut onehe !ould (e ashamed #or her to hear. 'ut his grandchild sa! him no!& and !al)ed u" to him!ith a childish stateliness& stum(ling once or t!ice on !hat seemed her long shroud. 3ushingthrough the cro!ded shado!s& she reached him& clim(ed u"on his )nee& laid her little longhairedhead on his shoulders& and said&4Gan"a@ %ou goom% Isn4t it %our <iss%Da% too& gan"a4

-A ne! #ount o# lo$e seemed to (urst #rom the cla% o# the old man4s heart. *e clas"ed the childto his (osom& and !e"t. Then& !ithout a !ord& he rose !ith her in his arms& carried her u" to her

room& and la%ing her do!n in her (ed& co$ered her u"& )issed her s!eet little mouth unconsciouso# re"roo#& and then !ent to the dra!ingroom.

-As soon as he entered& he sa! the cul"rits in a ,uiet corner alone. *e !ent u" to them& too) ahand o# each& and ?oining them in (oth his& said& 4God (less %ou@4 Then he turned to the rest o# thecom"an%& and 4>o!&4 said he& 4let4s ha$e a Christmas carol.4And !ell he might+ #or though I ha$e "aid man% $isits to the house& I ha$e ne$er seen him cross since+ and I am sure that must costhim a good deal o# trou(le.-

-/e ha$e ?ust come #rom a great "alace&- said another& -!here !e )ne! there !ere man%children& and !here !e thought to hear glad $oices& and see ro%all% merr% loo)s. 'ut as soon as!e entered& !e (ecame a!are that one might% 9hado! shrouded the !hole+ and that 9hado!dee"ened and dee"ened& till it gathered in dar)ness a(out the re"osing #orm o# a !ise "rince./hen !e sa! him& !e could mo$e no more& (ut clung hea$il% to the !alls& and (% our stillnessadded to the sorro! o# the hour. And !hen !e sa! the mother o# her "eo"le !ee"ing !ith (o!edhead #or the loss o# him in !hom she had trusted& !e !ere sei5ed !ith such a longing to (e9hado!s no more& (ut !inged angels& !hich are the !hite shado!s cast in hea$en #rom the ;ighto# ;ight& so as to gather around her& and ho$er o$er her !ith com#orting& that !e $anished #romthe !alls& and #ound oursel$es #loating high a(o$e the to!ers o# the "alace& !here !e met theangels on their !a%& and )ne! that our ser$ice !as not needed.-

'% this time there !as a glimmer o# a""roaching moonlight& and the )ing (egan to see se$eral o#those stranger 9hado!s& !ith human #aces and e%es& mo$ing a(out amongst the cro!d. *e )ne!at once that the% did not (elong to his dominion. The% loo)ed at him& and came near him& and "assed slo!l%& (ut the% ne$er made an% o(eisance& or ga$e sign o# homage. And !hat their e%essaid to him& the )ing onl% could tell. And he did not tell.

-/hat are those other 9hado!s that mo$e through the cro!d- said he to one o# his su(?ects near him.



The 9hado! started& loo)ed round& shi$ered slightl%& and laid his #inger on his li"s. Then leadingthe )ing a little aside& and loo)ing care#ull% a(out him once more&

-I do not )no!&- said he in a lo! tone& -!hat the% are. I ha$e heard o# them o#ten& (ut onl% oncedid I e$er see an% o# them (e#ore. That !as !hen some o# us one night "aid a $isit to a man !ho

sat much alone& and !as said to thin) a great deal. /e sa! t!o o# those sitting in the room !ithhim& and he !as as "ale as the% !ere. /e could not cross the threshold& (ut shi$ered and shoo)&and #elt read% to melt a!a%. Is not %our ma?est% a#raid o# them too-

'ut the )ing made no ans!er+ and (e#ore he could s"ea) again& the moon had clim(ed a(o$e themight% "illars o# the church o# the 9hado!s& and loo)ed in at the great !indo! o# the s)%.

The sha"es had all $anished+ and the )ing& again li#ting u" his e%es& sa! (ut the !all o# his o!ncham(er& on !hich #lic)ered the 9hado! o# a ;ittle Child. *e loo)ed do!n& and there& sitting ona stool (% the #ire& he sa! one o# his o!n little ones& !aiting to sa% goodnight to his #ather& andgo to (ed earl%& that he might rise earl% too& and (e $er% good and ha""% all Christmasda%.

And al"h in)elmann re?oiced that he !as a man& and not a 9hado!.

'ut as the 9hado!s $anished the% le#t the sense o# song in the )ing4s (rain. And the !ords o#their song must ha$e (een something li)e these:

-9hado!s& 9hado!s& 9hado!s all@ 9hado! (irth and #uneral@ 9hado! moons gleam o$erhead+ $er shado!gra$es !e tread. 9hado!ho"e li$es& gro!s& and dies. 9hado!lo$e #rom shado!e%es 9hado!!ard entices on To shado!!ords on shado!stone& Closing u" the shado!tale /ith a shado!shado!!ail.

-9hado!man& thou art a gloom Cast u"on a shado!tom( Through the endless shado! air& From the shado! sitting there& n a mo$eless shado!throne& Glooming through the ages gone+ >orth and south& and in and out& ast and !est& and all a(out& Flinging 9hado!s e$er%!here n the shado!"ainted air 9hado!man& thou hast no stor%+ >othing (ut a shado!glor%.-



'ut al"h in)elmann said to himsel#&

-The% are (ut 9hado!s that sing thus+ #or a 9hado! can see (ut 9hado!s. A man sees a man

!here a 9hado! sees onl% a 9hado!.-

And he !as com#orted in himsel#.

The Cruel 3ainter

Among the %oung men assem(led at the =ni$ersit% o# 3rague& in the %ear 1& !as one called<arl $on /ol)enlicht. A some!hat careless student& he %et held a #air "osition in the estimationo# (oth "ro#essors and men& (ecause he could hardl% loo) at a "ro"osition !ithout understandingit. /here such "ro"osition& ho!e$er& had to do !ith an%thing relating to the dee"er insights o#

the nature& he !as ,uite content that& #or him& it should remain a "ro"osition+ !hich& ho!e$er& helaid u" in one o# his mental ca(inets& and !as read% to re"roduce at a moment4s notice. Thismental agilit% !as more than matched (% the corres"onding cor"oreal e2cellence& and (oth aidedin "roducing results in !hich his remar)a(le strength !as e,uall% a""arent. In all gamesde"ending u"on the com(ination o# muscle and s)ill& he had scarce ri$alr% enough to )ee" him in "ractice. *is strength& ho!e$er& !as em(odied in such a so#tness o# muscular outline& such a rareGree)li)e st%le o# (eaut%& and associated !ith such a gentleness o# manner and (eha$iour& that& "artl% #rom the truth o# the resem(lance& "artl% #rom the a(surdit% o# the contrast& he !as )no!nthroughout the uni$ersit% (% the diminuti$e o# the #eminine #orm o# his name& and !as al!a%scalled ;ottchen.

-I sa%& ;ottchen&- said one o# his #ello!students& called ichter& across the ta(le in a !inecellarthe% !ere in the ha(it o# #re,uenting& -do %ou )no!& *einrich *oellenrachen here sa%s that hesa! this morning& !ith mortal e%es& !hom do %ou thin);ilith.-

-Adam4s #irst !i#e- as)ed ;ottchen& !ith an attem"t at carelessness& !hile his #ace #lushed li)ea maiden4s.

->one o# %our cha##@- said ichter. -Bour #ace is honester than %our tongue& and con#esses !hat%ou cannot den%& that %ou !ould gi$e %our chance o# sal$ationa small one to (e sure& (ut all%ou4$e got#or one "ee" at ;ilith. /ouldn4t %ou no!& ;ottchen-

-Go to the de$il@- !as all ;ottchen4s ans!er to his tormentor+ (ut he turned to *einrich& to !homthe students had gi$en the surname a(o$e mentioned& (ecause o# the enormous !idth o# his ?a!s&and said !ith eagerness and en$%& disguising them as !ell as he could& under the a""earance o#curiosit%

-Bou don4t mean it& *einrich Bou4$e (een ta)ing the (eggar in@ Con#ess no!.-

->ot I. I sa! her !ith m% t!o e%es.-



->ot!ithstanding the di##erent "lanes o# their or(its&- suggested ichter.

-Bes& not!ithstanding the #act that I can get a "aralla2 to an% o# the #i2ed stars in a moment& !ithonl% the (readth o# m% nose #or the (ase&- ans!ered *einrich& res"onding at once to the #un& and

careless o# the "ersonal de#ect insinuated. -9he !as near enough #or e$en me to see her "er#ectl%.-

-/hen /here *o!- as)ed ;ottchen.

-T!o hours ago. In the church%ard o# 9t. 9te"hen4s. '% a luc)% chance. An% more little,uestions& m% child- ans!ered *oellenrachen.

-/hat could ha$e ta)en her there& !ho is seen no!here- said ichter.

-9he !as seated on a gra$e. A#ter she le#t& I !ent to the "lace+ (ut it !as a ne!made gra$e.

There !as no stone u". I as)ed the se2ton a(out her. *e said he su""osed she !as the daughtero# the !oman (uried there last Thursda% !ee). I )ne! it !as ;ilith.-

-*er mother dead@- said ;ottchen& musingl%. Then he thought !ith himsel#-9he !ill (e goingthere again& then@- 'ut he too) care that this ghostthought should !ander unem(odied. -'utho! did %ou )no! her& *einrich Bou ne$er sa! her (e#ore.-

-*o! do %ou come to (e o$er head and ears in lo$e !ith her& ;ottchen& and %ou ha$en4t seen herat allinter"osed ichter.

-/ill %ou or !ill %ou not go to the de$il- re?oined ;ottchen& !ith a comic crescendo+ to !hichthe other re"lied !ith a laugh.

->o one could miss )no!ing her&- said *einrich.

-Is she so $er% li)e& then-

-It is al!a%s hersel#& her $er% sel#.-

A #resh #las) o# !ine& turning out to (e not u" to the mar)& (rought the current o# con$ersationagainst itsel#+ not much to the dissatis#action o# ;ottchen& !ho had alread% resol$ed to (e in thechurch%ard o# 9t. 9te"hen4s at sundo!n the #ollo!ing da%& in the ho"e that he too might (e#a$oured !ith a $ision o# ;ilith.

This resolution he carried out. 9eated in a "orch o# the church& not )no!ing in !hat direction toloo) #or the a""arition he ho"ed to see& and desirous as !ell o# not seeming to (e on the !atch#or one& he !as ga5ing at the #allen roselea$es o# the sunset& !ithering a!a% u"on the s)%+!hen& glancing aside (% an in$oluntar% mo$ement& he sa! a !oman seated u"on a ne!madegra$e& not man% %ards #rom !here he sat& !ith her #ace (uried in her hands& and a""arentl%!ee"ing (itterl%. <arl !as in the shado! o# the "orch& and could see her "er#ectl%& !ithout much



danger o# (eing disco$ered (% her+ so he sat and !atched her. 9he raised her head #or a moment&and the rose#lush o# the !est #ell o$er it& shining on the tears !ith !hich it !as !et& and gi$ingthe !hole a (loom !hich did not (elong to it& #or it !as al!a%s "ale& and no! "ale as death. It!as indeed the #ace o# ;ilith& the most cele(rated (eaut% o# 3rague.

Again she (uried her #ace in her hands+ and <arl sat !ith a strange #eeling o# hel"lessness& !hichgre! as he sat+ and the longing to hel" her !hom he could not hel"& dre! his heart to!ards her!ith a trem(ling re$erence !hich !as ,uite ne! to him. 9he !e"t on. The !estern roses!ithered slo!l% a!a%& and the clouds (lended !ith the s)%& and the stars gathered li)e dro"s o#glor% sin)ing through the $ault o# night& and the trees a(out the church%ard gre! (lac)& and;ilith almost $anished in the !ide dar)ness. At length she li#ted her head& and seeing the nightaround her& ga$e a little (ro)en cr% o# disma%. The minutes had s!e"t o$er her head& not throughher mind& and she did not )no! that the dar) had come.

*earing her cr%& <arl rose and a""roached her. 9he heard his #ootste"s& and started to her #eet.<arl s"o)e

-Do not (e #rightened&- he said. -;et me see %ou home. I !ill !al) (ehind %ou.-

-/ho are %ou- she re?oined.

-<arl /ol)enlicht.-

-I ha$e heard o# %ou. Than) %ou. I can go home alone.-

Bet& as i# in a hal#dream%& hal#unconscious mood& she acce"ted his o##ered hand to lead herthrough the gra$es& and allo!ed him to !al) (eside her& till& reaching the corner o# a narro!street& she suddenl% (ade him goodnight and $anished. *e thought it (etter not to #ollo! her& sohe returned her goodnight and !ent home.

*o! to see her again !as his #irst thought the ne2t da%+ as& in #act& ho! to see her at all had (eenhis #irst thought #or man% da%s. 9he !ent no!here that e$er he heard o#+ she )ne! no(od% thathe )ne!+ she !as ne$er seen at church& or at mar)et+ ne$er seen in the street. *er home had adrear%& desolate as"ect. It loo)ed as i# no one e$er !ent out or in. It !as li)e a "lace on !hichdeca% had #allen (ecause there !as no ind!elling s"irit. The mud o# %ears !as (a)ed u"on itsdoor& and no #aces loo)ed out o# its dust% !indo!s.

*o! then could she (e the most cele(rated (eaut% o# 3rague *o! then !as it that *einrich*oellenrachen )ne! her the moment he sa! her A(o$e all& ho! !as it that <arl /ol)enlichthad& in #act& #allen in lo$e !ith her (e#ore e$er he sa! her It !as thus

*er #ather !as a "ainter. 'elonging thus to the "u(lic& it had ta)en the li(ert% o# renaming him.$er% one called him Teu#els(uerst& or De$ils(rush. It !as a name !ith !hich& to ?udge #rom thenature o# his re"resentations& he could hardl% #ail to (e "leased. For& not as a nightmare dream&!hich ma% alternate !ith the lo$eliest $isions& (ut as his ordinar% e$er%da% !or)& he delighted tore"resent human su##ering.



>ot an as"ect o# human !oe or torture& as e2"ressed in countenance or lim(& came (e#ore his!illing imagination& (ut he (ore it straight!a% to his easel. In the moments that "recede slee"&!hen the (lac) s"ace (e#ore the e%es o# the "oet teems !ith lo$el% #aces& or da!ns into a s"iritlandsca"e& #ace a#ter #ace o# su##ering& in all $arieties o# e2"ression& !ould cro!d& as i#

com"elled (% the accom"an%ing #iends& to "resent themsel$es& in a!#ul le$ee& (e#ore the innere%e o# the e2"ectant master. Then he !ould rise& light his lam"& and& !ith ra"id hand& ma)e noteso# his $isions+ recording& !ith s!i#t successi$e s!ee"s o# his "encil& e$er% indi$idual #ace !hichhad re?oiced his e$il #anc%. Then he !ould return to his couch& and& !ell satis#ied& #all aslee" todream %et #urther em(odiments o# human ill.

/hat !rong could man or man)ind ha$e done him& to (e thus #ear#ull% "ursued (% the$engeance o# the artist4s hate

Another characteristic o# the #aces and #orm !hich he dre! !as& that the% !ere all (eauti#ul inthe original idea. The lines o# each #ace& ho!e$er distorted (% "ain& !ould ha$e (een& in rest&

a(solutel% (eauti#ul+ and the !hole o# the e2ecution (ore !itness to the #act that u"on thisoriginal (eaut% the "ainter had directed the artiller% o# anguish to (ring do!n the s)%soaringheights o# its di$init% to the le$el o# a hated e2istence. To do this& he !or)ed in "er#ectaccordance !ith artistic la!& #alsi#%ing no line o# the original #orms. It !as the su##ering& ratherthan his "encil& that !rought the change. The latter !as the !illing instrument to record !hat theimagination concei$ed !ith a cruelt% com"osed enough to (e correct.

To enhance the (eaut% he had thus distorted& and so to enhance %et #urther the su##ering that "roduced the distortion& he !ould o#ten re"resent attendant demons& !hom he made as ugl% ashis imagination could com"ass+ a$oiding& ho!e$er& all grotes,ueness (e%ond !hat !as su##icientto indicate that the% !ere demons& and not men. Their ugliness rose #rom hate& en$%& and all e$il "assions+ amongst !hich he es"eciall% delighted to re"resent a gloating e2ultation o$er humandistress. And o#ten in the midst o# his clouds o# demon #aces& !ould some one !ho )ne! himrecognise the "ainter4s o!n li)eness& such as the mirror might ha$e "resented it to him !hen he!as (usiest o$er the incarnation o# some e2,uisite torture.

'ut a""arentl% !ith the !ish to a$oid (eing su""osed to choose such re"resentations #or theiro!n sa)es& he al!a%s #ound a stor%& o#ten in the histories o# the church& !hose name he ga$e tothe "ainting& and !hich he "retended to ha$e ins"ired the "ictorial conce"tion. >o one& ho!e$er&!ho loo)ed u"on his su##ering mart%rs& could su""ose #or a moment that he honoured theirmart%rdom. The% !ere (ut the $ehicles #or his hate o# humanit%. *e !as the torturer& and notDiocletian or >ero.

'ut& stranger %et to tell& there !as no "icture& !hate$er its su(?ect& into !hich he did notintroduce one #orm o# "lacid and harmonious lo$eliness. In this& ho!e$er& his #ierceness !asonl% more #ull% dis"la%ed. For in no case did this #orm mani#est an% relation either to the actorsor the endurers in the "icture. *ence its $er% lo$eliness (ecame almost hate#ul to those !ho (eheld it. >ot a shade crossed the still s)% o# that (ro!& not a ri""le distur(ed the still sea o# thatchee). 9he did not hate& she did not lo$e the su##erers: the "ainter !ould not ha$e her hate& #orthat !ould (e to the in?ur% o# her lo$eliness: !ould not ha$e her lo$e& #or he hated. 9ometimes



she #loated a(o$e& as a still& uno(ser$ant angel& her ga5e turned u"!ard& dreaming along& carelessas a !hite summer cloud& across the (lue. I# she loo)ed do!n on the scene (elo!& it !as onl%that the (eholder might see that she sa! and did not carethat not a #eather o# her outs"read "inions !ould ,ui$er at the sight. 9ometimes she !ould stand in the cro!d& as i# she had (eenco"ied there #rom another "icture& and had nothing to do !ith this one& nor an% right to (e in it at

all. r !hen the red (lood !as tric)ling dro" (% dro" #rom the crushed lim(& she might (e seenstanding nearest& smiling o$er a "rimrose or the (loom on a "each. 9ome had said that she !asthe "ainter4s !i#e+ that she had (een #alse to him+ that he had )illed her+ and& #inding that that !asno su##icing re$enge& thus hal# in lo$e& and hal# in dee"est hate& immortalised his $engeance. 'utit !as no! uni$ersall% understood that it !as his daughter& o# !hose lo$eliness e2tra$agantre"orts !ent a(road+ though all said& dou(tless reading this #rom her #ather4s "ictures& that she!as a (eaut% !ithout a heart. 9trange theories o# something else su""l%ing its "lace !ere ri#eamong the anatomical students. /ith the girl in the "ictures& the !ild imagination o# ;ottchen& "ro(a(l% in "art #rom her a""arentl% a(solute unattaina(leness and her undis"uted heartlessness&had #allen in lo$e& as #ar as the mere imagination can #all in lo$e.

'ut again& ho! !as he to see her *e haunted the house night a#ter night. Those (lue e%es ne$ermet his. >o ste" res"onsi$e to his came #rom that door. It seemed to ha$e (een so long uno"enedthat it had gro!n as #i2ed and hard as the stones that held its (olts in their "assi$e clas". *edared not !atch in the da%time& and !ith all his !atching at night& he ne$er sa! #ather ordaughter or domestic cross the threshold. ;ittle he thought that& #rom a shot!indo! near thedoor& a "air o# (lue e%es& li)e ;ilith4s& (ut "aler and colder& !ere !atching him ?ust as a s"ider!atches the #l% that is li)el% ere long to #all into his toils. And into those toils <arl soon #ell. Forher #orm dar)ened the "age+ her #orm stood on the threshold o# slee"+ and !hen& o$ercome !ith!atching& he did enter its "recincts& her #orm entered !ith him& and !al)ed (% his side. *e must#ind her+ or the !orld might go to the (ottomless "it #or him. 'ut ho!

Bes. *e !ould (e a "ainter. Teu#els(uerst !ould recei$e him as a hum(le a""rentice. *e !ouldgrind his colours& and Teu#els(uerst !ould teach him the m%steries o# the science !hich is thehandmaiden o# art. Then he might see her& and that !as all his am(ition.

In the clear morning light o# a da% in autumn& !hen the lea$es !ere (eginning to #all seared #romthe hand o# that Death !hich has his dance in the cha"els o# nature as !ell as in the cathedralaisles o# menhe !al)ed u" and )noc)ed at the ding% door. The s"ider "ainter o"ened it himsel#.*e !as a little man& meagre and "allid& !ith those #aded (lue e%es& a lo! nose in three distinctdi$isions& and thin& cur$eless& cruel li"s. *e !ore no hair on his #ace+ (ut long gre% loc)s& long asa !oman4s& !ere scattered o$er his shoulders& and hung do!n on his (reast. /hen /ol)enlichthad e2"lained his errand& he smiled a smile in !hich h%"ocris% could not hide the cunning& and&a#ter man% di##iculties& consented to recei$e him as a "u"il& on condition that he !ould (ecomean inmate o# his house. /ol)enlicht4s heart (ounded !ith delight& !hich he tried to hide: thesecond smile o# Teu#els(uerst might ha$e sho!n him that he had ill succeeded. The #act that he!as not a nati$e o# 3rague& (ut coming #rom a distant "art o# the countr%& !as entirel% his o!nmaster in the cit%& rendered this condition "er#ectl% eas% to #ul#il+ and that $er% a#ternoon heentered the studio o# Teu#els(uerst as his scholar and ser$ant.



It !as a great room& #illed !ith the a""liances and results o# art. Man% "ictures& #estooned !ithco(!e(s& !ere hung carelessl% on the dirt% !alls. thers& hal# #inished& leaned against them& onthe #loor. 9e$eral& in di##erent stages o# "rogress& stood u"on easels. 'ut all s"o)e the cruel (ento# the artist4s genius. In one corner a la% #igure !as e2tended on a couch& co$ered !ith a "all o# (lac) $el$et. Through its #olds& the #orm (eneath !as easil% discerni(le+ and one hand and

#orearm "rotruded #rom (eneath it& at right angles to the rest o# the #rame. ;ottchen could nothel" shuddering !hen he sa! it. Although he o$ercame the #eeling in a moment& he #elt a greatre"ugnance to seating himsel# !ith his (ac) to!ards it& as the arrangement o# an easel& at !hichTeu#els(uerst !ished him to dra!& rendered necessar%. *e contri$ed to edge himsel# round& sothat !hen he li#ted his e%es he should see the #igure& and (e sure that it could not rise !ithout his (eing a!are o# it. 'ut his master sa! and understood his altered "osition+ and under some "retence a(out the light& com"elled him to resume the "osition in !hich he had "laced him at#irst+ a#ter !hich he sat !atching& o$er the to" o# his "icture& the e2"ression o# his countenanceas he tried to dra!+ reading in it the horrid #anc% that the #igure under the "all had risen& and !asstealthil% a""roaching to loo) o$er his shoulder. 'ut ;ottchen resisted the #eeling& and& (eingalread% no contem"ti(le draughtsman& !as soon interested enough to #orget it. And then& an%

moment 0she0 might enter.

>o! (egan a s%stem o# slo! torture& #or the chance o# !hich the "ainter had (een long on the!atches"eciall% since he had #irst seen <arl lingering a(out the house. *is o""ortunities o#seeing "h%sical su##ering !ere nearl% enough e$en #or the diseased necessities o# his art+ (ut no!he had one in his "o!er& on !hom& his o!n !ill #ettering him& he could tr% an% e2"eriments he "leased #or the "roduction o# a )ind o# su##ering& in the o(ser$ation o# !hich he did not considerthat he had %et su##icient e2"erience. *e !ould hold the $er% heart o# the %outh in his hand& and!ring it and torture it to his o!n content. And lest <arl should (e strong enough to "re$ent thosee2"ressions o# "ain #or !hich he la% on the !atch& he !ould ma)e use o# #urther means& )no!nto himsel#& and )no!n to #e! (esides.

All that da% <arl sa! nothing o# ;ilith+ (ut he heard her $oice onceand that !as enough #or oneda%. The ne2t& she !as sitting to her #ather the greater "art o# the da%& and he could see her aso#ten as he dared glance u" #rom his dra!ing. 9he had loo)ed at him !hen she entered& (ut hadsho!n no sign o# recognition+ and all da% long she too) no #urther notice o# him. *e ho"ed& at#irst& that this came o# the intelligence o# lo$e+ (ut he soon (egan to dou(t it. For he sa! that&!ith the hol% shado! o# sorro!& all that distinguished the e2"ression o# her countenance #romthat !hich the "ainter so constantl% re"roduced& had $anished li)e!ise. It !as the $er% #ace o#the unheeding angel !hom& as o#ten as he li#ted his e%es higher than hers& he sa! on the !alla(o$e her& "la%ing on a "salter% in the smo)e o# the torment ascending #or e$er #rom (urning'a(%lon.The "o!er o# the "ainter had not merel% !rought #or the re"resentation o# the !omano# his imagination+ it had had sco"e as !ell in realising her.

<arl soon (egan to see that communication& other than o# the e%es& !as all (ut ho"eless+ and toan% attem"t in that !a% she seemed altogether indis"osed to res"ond. >or i# she had !ished it&!ould it ha$e (een sa#e+ #or as o#ten as he glanced to!ards her& instead o# hers& he met the (luee%es o# the "ainter gleaming u"on him li)e !inter lightning. *is tones& his gestures& his !ords&seemed )ind: his glance and his smile re#used to (e disguised.



The #irst da% he dined alone in the studio& !aited u"on (% an old !oman+ the ne2t he !asadmitted to the #amil% ta(le& !ith Teu#els(uerst and ;ilith. The room o##ered a strange contrast tothe stud%. As #ar as handicra#t& directed (% a sum"tuous taste& could construct a house"aradise&this !as one. 'ut it seemed rather a "aradise o# demons+ #or the !alls !ere co$ered !ithTeu#els(uerst4s "aintings. During the dinner& ;ilith4s ga5e scarcel% met that o# /ol)enlicht+ and

once or t!ice& !hen their e%es did meet& her glance !as so "er#ectl% unconcerned& that <arl!ished he might loo) at her #or e$er !ithout the #ear o# her loo)ing at him again. 9he seemedli)e one !hose lo$e had rushed out glo!ing !ith sera"hic #ire& to (e #ro5en to death in a morethan !intr% cold: she no! !al)ed lonel% !ithout her lo$e. In the e$enings& he !as e2"ected tocontinue his dra!ing (% lam"light+ and at night he !as conducted (% Teu#els(uerst to hischam(er. >ot once did he allo! him to "roceed thither alone& and not once did he lea$e him there!ithout loc)ing and (olting the door on the outside. 'ut he #elt nothing e2ce"t the coldness o#;ilith.

Da% a#ter da% she sat to her #ather& in e$er% $ariet% o# costume that could (est sho! the $ariet% o# her (eaut%. *o! much greater that (eaut% might (e& i# it e$er (lossomed into a (eaut% o# soul&

/ol)enlicht ne$er imagined+ #or he soon lo$ed her enough to attri(ute to her all the "ossi(ilitieso# her #ace as actual "ossessions o# her (eing. To account #or e$er%thing that seemed tocontradict this "er#ection& his (rain !as "roli#ic in in$entions+ till he !as com"elled at last to seethat she !as in the condition o# a rose(ud& !hich& on the "oint o# (lossoming& had (een chilledinto a changeless (ud (% the cold o# an untimel% #rost. For one da%& a#ter the #ather and daughterhad (ecome a little more accustomed to his silent "resence& a con$ersation (egan (et!een them&!hich !ent on until he sa! that Teu#els(uerst (elie$ed in nothing e2ce"t his art. *o! much o#his #eeling #or that could (e digni#ied (% the name o# (elie#& seeing its o(?ects !ere such as the%!ere& might ha$e (een ,uestioned. It seemed to /ol)enlicht to amount onl% to this: that& amidsta thousand distastes& it !as a "leasant thing to re"roduce on the can$as the #orms he (eheldaround him& modi#%ing them to e2"ress the "re$ailing #eelings o# his o!n mind.

A more desolate communication (et!een souls than that !hich then "assed (et!een #ather anddaughter could hardl% (e imagined. The #ather s"o)e o# humanit% and all its e2"eriences in atone o# the (itterest scorn. *e des"ised men& and himsel# amongst them+ and re?oiced to thin)that the generations rose and $anished& (rood a#ter (rood& as the cro"s o# corn gre! anddisa""eared. ;ilith& !ho listened to it all unmo$ed& ta)ing onl% an intellectual interest in the,uestion& remar)ed that e$en the corn had more li#e than that+ #or& a#ter its death& it rose again inthe ne! cro". /hether she meant that the corn !as there#ore su"erior to man& #orgetting that thesu"erior can "roduce (eing !ithout losing its o!n& or onl% ad$anced an o(?ection to her #ather4sargument& /ol)enlicht could not tell. 'ut Teu#els(uerst laughed li)e the sound o# a sa!& andsaid: -Follo! out the analog%& m% ;ilith& and %ou !ill see that man is li)e the corn that s"ringsagain a#ter it is (uried+ (ut un#ortunatel% the onl% result !e )no! o# is a $am"ire.-

/ol)enlicht loo)ed u"& and sa! a shudder "ass through the #rame& and o$er the "ale thin #ace o#the "ainter. This he could not account #or. 'ut Teu#els(uerst could ha$e e2"lained it& #or there!ere strange !his"ers a(road& and the% had reached his ear+ and his "hiloso"h% !as not ,uiteenough #or them. 'ut the laugh !ith !hich ;ilith met this #right#ul attem"t at !it& grateddread#ull% on /ol)enlicht4s #eeling. /ith her& too& ho!e$er& a reaction seemed to #ollo!. For&turning round a moment a#ter& and loo)ing at the "icture on !hich her #ather !as !or)ing& the



tears rose in her e%es& and she said: -h@ #ather& ho! li)e m% mother %ou ha$e made me thistime@- -Child@- retorted the "ainter !ith a cold #ierceness& -%ou ha$e no mother. That !hich isgone out is gone out. 3ut no name in m% hearing on that !hich is not. /here no su(stance is&ho! can there (e a name-

;ilith rose and le#t the room. /ol)enlicht no! understood that ;ilith !as a #ro5en (ud& and couldnot (lossom into a rose. 'ut "ure lo$e li$es (% #aith. It lo$es the $aguel% (eheld and unrealisedideal. It dares (elie$e that the lo$ed is not all that she e$er seemed. It is in $irtue o# this that lo$elo$es on. And it !as in $irtue o# this& that /ol)enlicht lo$ed ;ilith %et more a#ter he disco$ered!hat a gra$e o# miser% her un(elie# !as digging #or her !ithin her o!n soul. For her sa)e he!ould (ear an%thing(ear e$en !ith calmness the torments o# his o!n lo$e+ he !ould sta% on&ho"ing and ho"ing.The te2t& that !e )no! not !hat a da% ma% (ring #orth& is ?ust as true o#good things as o# e$il things+ and out o# Time4s !om( the #acts must come.

'ut !ith the (irth o# this resolution to endure& his su##ering a(ated+ his #ace gre! more calm+ hislo$e& no less earnest& !as less im"erious+ and he did not loo) u" so o#ten #rom his !or) !hen

;ilith !as "resent. The master could see that his "u"il !as more at ease& and that he !as ma)ingra"id "rogress in his art. This did not suit his designs& and he !ould (eta)e himsel# to his #urtherschemes.

For this "ur"ose he "roceeded #irst to simulate a #riendshi" #or /ol)enlicht& the mani#estations o# !hich he graduall% increased& until& a#ter a da% or t!o& he as)ed him to drin) !ine !ith him inthe e$ening. <arl readil% agreed. The "ainter "roduced some o# his (est+ (ut too) care not toallo! ;ilith to taste it+ #or he had cunningl% "re"ared and mingled !ith it a decoction o# certainher(s and other ingredients& e2ercising s"eci#ic actions u"on the (rain& and tending to theinordinate e2citement o# those "ortions o# it !hich are "rinci"all% under the rule o# theimagination. '% the reaction o# the (rain during the o"eration o# these stimulants& theimagination is #illed !ith suggestions and images. The nature o# these is determined (% the "re$ailing mood o# the time. The% are such as the imagination !ould "roduce o# itsel#& (utincreased in num(er and intensit%. Teu#els(uerst& !ithout "hiloso"hising a(out it& called his "re"aration sim"l% a lo$e"hiltre& a concoction !ell )no!n (% name& (ut the com"osition o#!hich !as the secret o# onl% a #e!. /ol)enlicht had& o# course& not the least sus"icion o# thetreatment to !hich he !as su(?ected.

Teu#els(uerst !as& ho!e$er& doomed to #resh disa""ointment. >ot that his "otion #ailed in theantici"ated e##ect& #or no! <arl4s real su##erings (egan+ (ut that such !as the strength o# <arl4s!ill& and his #ear o# doing an%thing that might gi$e a "rete2t #or (anishing him #rom the "resenceo# ;ilith& that he !as a(le to conceal his #eelings #ar too success#ull% #or the satis#action o#Teu#els(uerst4s art. Bet he had to #etter himsel# !ith all the restraints that sel#e2hortation couldload him !ith& to re#rain #rom #alling at the #eet o# ;ilith and )issing the hem o# her garment. For that& as the lo!liest "art o# all that surrounded her& itsel# )issing the earth& seemed to comenearest !ithin the reach o# his am(ition& and there#ore to dra! him the most.

>o dou(t the "ainter had e2"erience and "enetration enough to "ercei$e that he !as su##eringintensel%+ (ut he !anted to see the su##ering em(odied in out!ard signs& (ringing it !ithin theregion o$er !hich his "encil held s!a%. *e )e"t on& there#ore& tr%ing one thing a#ter another& and



rousing the "oor %outh to agon%+ till to his other su##erings !ere added& at length& those o# #ailinghealth+ a #act !hich noti#ied itsel# e$identl% enough e$en #or Teu#els(uerst& though its signs !erenot o# the sort he chie#l% desired. 'ut <arl endured all (ra$el%.

Meantime& #or $arious reasons& he scarcel% e$er le#t the house.

I must no! interru"t the course o# m% stor% to introduce another element.

A #e! %ears (e#ore the "eriod o# m% tale& a certain shoema)er o# the cit% had died undercircumstances more than suggesti$e o# suicide. *e !as (uried& ho!e$er& !ith such "recautions&that si2 !ee)s ela"sed (e#ore the rumour o# the #acts (ro)e out+ u"on !hich rumour& not (e#ore&the most #ear#ul re"orts (egan to (e circulated& su""orted (% !hat seemed to the "eo"le o#3rague incontesta(le e$idence.A 0s"ectrum0 o# the deceased a""eared to multitudes o# "ersons& "la%ing horri(le "ran)s& and occasioning indescri(a(le consternation throughout the!hole to!n. This !ent on till at last& a(out eight months a#ter his (urial& the magistrates causedhis (od% to (e dug u"+ !hen it !as #ound in ?ust the condition o# the (odies o# those !ho in the

eastern countries o# uro"e are called 0$am"ires0. The% (uried the cor"se under the gallo!s+ (utneither the digging u" nor the re(ur%ing !ere o# a$ail to (anish the s"ectre. Again the s"ade and "ic)a2e !ere set to !or)& and the dead man (eing #ound considera(l% im"ro$ed in 0condition0since his last interment& !as& !ith $arious horri(le indignities& (urnt to ashes& -a#ter !hich the 0s"ectrum0 !as ne$er seen more.-

And a second e"idemic o# the same nature had (ro)en out a little (e#ore the "eriod to !hich Iha$e (rought m% stor%.

A(out midnight& a#ter a calm #rost% da%& #or it !as no! !inter& a terri(le storm o# !ind and sno!came on. The tem"est ho!led #right#ull% a(out the house o# the "ainter& and /ol)enlicht #oundsome solace in listening to the u"roar& #or his trou(led thoughts !ould not allo! him to slee". Itraged on all the ne2t three da%s& till a(out noon on the #ourth da%& !hen it suddenl% #ell& and all!as calm. The #ollo!ing night& /ol)enlicht& l%ing a!a)e& heard unaccounta(le noises in the ne2thouse& as o# things thro!n a(out& o# )ic)ing and #ighting horses& and o# o"ening and shuttinggates. Flinging !ide his lattice and loo)ing out& the noise o# ho!ling dogs came to him #rome$er% ,uarter o# the to!n. The moon !as (right and the air !as still. In a little !hile he heard thesounds o# a horse going at #ull gallo" round the house& so that it shoo) as i# it !ould #all+ and#lashes o# light shone into his room. *o! much o# this ma% ha$e (een o!ing to the e##ect o# thedrugs on "oor ;ottchen4s (rain& I lea$e m% readers to determine. 'ut !hen the #amil% met at (rea)#ast in the morning& Teu#els(uerst& !ho had (een alread% out o# doors& re"orted that he had#ound the mar)s o# strange #eet in the sno!& all a(out the house and through the garden at the (ac)+ stating& as his (elie#& that the trac)s must (e continued o$er the roo#s& #or there !as no "assage other!ise. There !as a !ic)ed gleam in his e%e as he s"o)e+ and ;ilith (elie$ed that he!as onl% tr%ing an e2"eriment on <arl4s ner$es. *e "ersisted that he had ne$er seen an%#oot"rints o# the sort (e#ore. <arl in#ormed him o# his e2"eriences during the night+ u"on !hichTeu#els(uerst loo)ed a little gra$er still& and "roceeded to tell them that the storm& !hose sno!!as still co$ering the ground& had arisen the $er% moment that their ne2t door neigh(our died&and had ceased as suddenl% the moment he !as (uried& though it had ra$ed #uriousl% all the timeo# the #uneral& so that -it made men4s (odies ,ua)e and their teeth chatter in their heads.- <arl



had heard that the man& !hose name !as ohn <unt5& !as dead and (uried. *e )ne! that he had (een a $er% !ealth%& and there#ore most res"ecta(le& alderman o# the to!n+ that he had (een $er%#ond o# horses+ and that he had died in conse,uence o# a )ic) recei$ed #rom one o# his o!n& as he!as loo)ing at his hoo#. 'ut he had not heard that& ?ust (e#ore he died& a (lac) cat -o"ened thecasement !ith her nails& ran to his (ed& and $iolentl% scratched his #ace and the (olster& as i# she

endea$oured (% #orce to remo$e him out o# the "lace !here he la%. 'ut the cat a#ter!ards !assuddenl% gone& and she !as no sooner gone& (ut he (reathed his last.-

9o said Teu#els(uerst& as the re"orter o# the to!n tal). ;ilith loo)ed $er% "ale and terri#ied+ and it!as "erha"s o!ing to this that the "ainter (rought no more tales home !ith him. There !ere "lent% to (ring& (ut he heard them all and said nothing. The #act !as that the "hiloso"her himsel#could not resist the in#ection o# the #ear that !as literall% raging in the cit%+ and "erha"s there"orts that he himsel# had sold himsel# to the de$il had su##icient res"onse #rom his o!n e$ilconscience to add to the in#luence o# the e"idemic u"on him. The !hole "lace !as in#ested !iththe "resence o# the dead <unt5& till scarce a man or !oman !ould dare to (e alone. *e strangledold men+ insulted !omen+ s,uee5ed children to death+ )noc)ed out the (rains o# dogs against the

ground+ "ulled u" "osts+ turned mil) into (lood+ nearl% )illed a !orth% clerg%man (% (reathingu"on him the intolera(le airs o# the gra$e& cold and malignant and noisome+ and& in short& #illedthe cit% !ith a "er#ect madness o# #ear& so that e$er% re"ort !as (elie$ed !ithout the smallestdou(t or in$estigation.

Though Teu#els(uerst (rought home no more o# the to!n tal)& the old ser$ant !as a #aith#ul "ur$e%or& and #re,uented the ne!smart assiduousl%. Indeed she had some nightmare e2"erienceso# her o!n that she !as "roud to add to the stoc) o# horrors !hich the cit% en?o%ed !ith such aheart% communit% o# goods. For those regions !ere not #ar remo$ed #rom the (irth"lace andhome o# the $am"ire. The (elie# in $am"ires is the ,uintessential concentration and em(odimento# all the "assion o# #ear in *ungar% and the ad?acent regions. >or& o# all the other in$entions o#the human imagination& has there e$er (een one so "er#ect in cra!ling terror as this. ;ilith and<arl !ere ,uite #amiliar !ith the "o"ular ideas on the su(?ect. It did not re,uire to (e e2"lainedto them& that a $am"ire !as a (od% retaining a )ind o# animal li#e a#ter the soul had de"arted. I#an% relation e2isted (et!een it and the $anished ghost& it !as onl% su##icient to ma)e it restless inits gra$e. 3ossessed o# $italit% enough to )ee" it uncorru"ted and "liant& its onl% instinct !as a (lind hunger #or the sole #ood !hich could )ee" its a!#ul li#e "ersistentli$ing human (lood.*ence it& or& i# not it& a sort o# semimaterial e2halation or essence o# it& retaining its #orm andmaterial relations& cre"t #rom its tom(& and !ent roaming a(out till it #ound some one aslee"&to!ards !hom it had an attraction& #ounded on old a##ection. It suc)ed the (lood o# this unha""% (eing& trans#erring so much o# its li#e to itsel# as a $am"ire could assimilate. Death !as thecertain conse,uence. I# sus"icion con?ectured aright& and the% o"ened the "ro"er gra$e& the (od%o# the $am"ire !ould (e #ound "er#ectl% #resh and "lum"& sometimes indeed o# rather #loridcom"le2ion+!ith gro!n hair& e%es hal# o"en& and the stains o# recent (lood a(out its greed%&leechli)e li"s. >othing remained (ut to consume the cor"se to ashes& u"on !hich the $am"ire!ould sho! itsel# no more. 'ut !hat added in#initel% to the horror !as the certaint% that!hoe$er died #rom the mouth o# the $am"ire& !rin)led grandsire or delicate maiden& must in turnrise #rom the gra$e& and go #orth a $am"ire& to suc) the (lood o# the dearest le#t (ehind. This !asthe generation o# the $am"ire (rood. ;ilith trem(led at the $er% name o# the creature. <arl !astoo much in lo$e to (e a#raid o# an%thing. Bet the e$ident #ear o# the un(elie$ing "ainter too) a



hold o# his imagination+ and& under the in#luence o# the "otions o# !hich he still "artoo)un!ittingl%& !hen he !as not thin)ing a(out ;ilith& he !as thin)ing a(out the $am"ire.

Meantime& the condition o# things in the "ainter4s household continued much the same #or/ol)enlicht!or) all da%+ no communication (et!een the %oung "eo"le+ the dinner and the

!ine+ silent reading !hen !or) !as done& !ith stolen glances man% o$er the to" o# the (oo)&glances that !ere ne$er returned+ the cold goodnight+ the loc)ing o# the door+ the !a)e#ul nightand the dro!s% morning. 'ut at length a change came& and sooner than an% o# the "art% hade2"ected. For& !hether it !as that the im"atience o# Teu#els(uerst had urged him to %et moredangerous e2"eriments& or that the continuance o# those he had (een so long em"lo%ing hado$ercome at length the $italit% o# /ol)enlichtone a#ternoon& as he !as sitting at his !or)& hesuddenl% dro""ed #rom his chair& and his master hurr%ing to him in some alarm& #ound him rigidand a""arentl% li#eless. ;ilith !as not in the stud% !hen this too) "lace. In ?ustice toTeu#els(uerst& it must (e con#essed that he em"lo%ed all the s)ill he !as master o#& !hich #or (ene#icent "ur"oses !as not $er% great& to restore the %outh+ (ut !ithout a$ail. At last& hearingthe #ootste"s o# ;ilith& he desisted in some consternation+ and that she might esca"e (eing

shoc)ed (% the sight o# a dead (od% !here she had (een accustomed to see a li$ing one& heremo$ed the la% #igure #rom the couch& and laid <arl in its "lace& co$ering him !ith a (lac)$el$et "all. *e !as ?ust in time. 9he started at seeing no one in <arl4s "lace and said

-/here is %our "u"il& #ather-

-Gone home&- he ans!ered& !ith a )ind o# con$ulsi$e grin.

9he glanced round the room& caught sight o# the la% #igure !here it had not (een (e#ore& loo)edat the couch& and sa! the "all %et hea$ed u" #rom (eneath& o"ened her e%es till the entire !hites!ee" around the iris suggested a ne! e2"ression o# consternation to Teu#els(uerst& though #roma ,uarter !hence he did not desire or loo) #or it+ and then& !ithout a !ord& sat do!n to a dra!ingshe had (een (us% u"on the da% (e#ore. 'ut her #ather& glancing at her no!& as /ol)enlicht hadused to do& could not hel" seeing that she !as #right#ull% "ale. 9he sho!ed no other sign o#uneasiness. As soon as he released her& she !ithdre!& !ith one more glance& as she "assed& at thecouch and the #igure (loc)ed out in (lac) u"on it. 9he hastened to her cham(er& shut and loc)edthe door& sat do!n on the side o# the couch& and #ell& not a!ee"ing& (ut athin)ing. /as he dead/hat did it matter The% !ould all (e dead soon. *er mother !as dead alread%. It !as onl% thatthe earth could not (ear more children& e2ce"t she de$oured those to !hom she had alread%gi$en (irth. 'ut !hat i# the% had to come (ac) in another #orm& and li$e another sad& ho"eless&lo$eless li#e o$er againAnd so she !ent on ,uestioning& and recei$ing no re"lies+ !hilethrough all her thoughts "assed and re"assed the e%es o# /ol)enlicht& !hich she had o#ten #elt to (e u"on her !hen she did not see them& !ild !ith re"ressed longing& the light o# their lo$eshining through the $eil o# di##used tears& e$er gathering and ne$er o$er#lo!ing. Then came the "ale #ace& so !orshi""ing& so distant in its sel#!ithdra!n de$otion& slo!l% da!ning out o# the$a"ours o# her re$erie. /hen it $anished& she tried to see it again. It !ould not come !hen shecalled it+ (ut !hen her thoughts le#t )noc)ing at the door o# the lost& and !andered a!a%& outcame the "ale& trou(led& silent #ace again& gathering itsel# u" #rom some un)no!n noo) in her!orld o# "hantas%& and once more& !hen she tried to stead% it (% the #i2edness o# her o!n regard&#ading (ac) into the mist. 9o the "hantasm o# the dead dre! near and !ooed& as the li$ing had



ne$er dared./hat i# there !ere an% good in lo$ing /hat i# men and !omen did not die all out& (ut some dim shade o# each& li)e that "ale& mindghost o# /ol)enlicht& #loated through theeternal $a"ours o# chaos And !hat i# the% might sometimes cross each other4s "ath& meet& )no!that the% met& lo$e on /ould not that re$i$e the !ithered memor%& #i2 the #leeting ghost& gi$e ane! ha(itation& a (od% e$en& to the "oor& unhoused !anderers& #ro5en (% the eternal #rosts& no

longer thin)ing (eings& (ut thoughts !andering through the (rain o# the -Melanchol% Mass-'ac) !ith the thought came the #ace o# the dead <arl& and the maiden thre! hersel# on her (ed ina #lood o# (itter tears. 9he could ha$e lo$ed him i# he had onl% li$ed: she did lo$e him& #or he!as dead. 'ut e$en in the midst o# the remorse that #ollo!ed#or had she not )illed himli#eseemed a less hard and ho"eless thing than (e#ore. For it is lo$e itsel# and not its res"onses orresults that is the soul o# li#e and its "leasures.

T!o hours "assed ere she could again sho! hersel# to her #ather& #rom !hom she seemed in somene! !a% di$ided (% the ne! #eeling in !hich he did not& and could not share. 'ut at last& lest heshould see) her& and #inding her& should sus"ect her thoughts& she descended and sought him.For there is a maidenliness in sorro!& that !ra"s her garments close around her.'ut he !as not

to (e seen+ the door o# the stud% !as loc)ed. A shudder "assed through her as she thought o#!hat her #ather& !ho lost no o""ortunit% o# #urthering his all (ut "er#ect ac,uaintance !ith thehuman #orm and structure& might (e a(out !ith the #igure !hich she )ne! la% dead (eneath that$el$et "all& (ut !hich had arisen to haunt the hollo! ca$es and cells o# her li$ing (rain. 9herushed a!a%& and u" once more to her silent room& through the dar)ness !hich had no! settleddo!n in the house+ thre! hersel# again on her (ed& and la% almost "aral%sed !ith horror anddistress.

'ut Teu#els(uerst !as not a(out an%thing so #right#ul as she su""osed& though something#right#ul enough. I ha$e alread% im"lied that /ol)enlicht !as& in #orm& as #ine an em(odiment o# %outh#ul manhood as an% old Gree) re"u(lic could ha$e "ro$ided one o# its scul"tors !ith asmodel #or an A"ollo. It is true& that to the e%e o# a Gree) artist he !ould not ha$e (een moreacce"ta(le in conse,uence o# the regimen he had (een going through #or the last #e! !ee)s+ (utthe emaciation o# /ol)enlicht4s #rame& and the conse,uent "rominence o# the muscles& indicatingthe "ain he had gone through& !ere "eculiarl% attracti$e to Teu#els(uerst.*e !as (us% "re"aring to ta)e a cast o# the (od% o# his dead "u"il& that it might aid to the "er#ection o# his#uture la(ours.

*e !as dee" in the artistic en?o%ment o# a #orm& at the same time so (eauti#ul and strong& %et!ith the lines o# su##ering in e$er% lim( and #eature& !hen his daughter4s hand !as laid on thelatch. *e started& #lung the $el$et dra"er% o$er the (od%& and !ent to the door. 'ut ;ilith had$anished. *e returned to his la(ours. The o"eration too) a long time& #or he "er#ormed it $er%care#ull%. To!ards midnight& he had #inished encasing the (od% in a closeclinging shell o# "laster& !hich& !hen (ro)en o##& and #itted together& !ould (e the matri2 to the #orm o# the dead/ol)enlicht. 'e#ore lea$ing it to harden till the morning& he !as ?ust "roceeding to strengthen it!ith an additional la%er all o$er& !hen a #lash o# lightning& re#lected in all its da55le #rom thesno! !ithout& almost (linded him. A "eal o# longdra!n thunder #ollo!ed+ the !ind rose+ and ?ust such a storm came on as had risen some time (e#ore at the death o# <unt5& !hose s"ectre!as still tormenting the cit%. The gnomes o# terror& dee" hidden in the ca$erns o# Teu#els(uerst4snature& (ro)e out ?u(ilant. /ith trem(ling hands he tried to cast the "all o$er the a!#ul !hite



chr%salis&#ailed& and #led to his cham(er. And there la% the studio na)ed to the e%es o# thelightning& !ith its tortured #orms thro((ing out o# the dar)& and ,ui$ering& as !ith li#e& in thealmost continuous "al"itations o# the light+ !hile on the couch la% the motionless mass o#!hiteness& gleaming (lue in the lightning& almost more terri(le in its crude indications o# thehuman #orm& than that !hich it enclosed. It la% there as i# dro""ed #rom some tree o# chaos&

haggard !ith the sno!s o# eternit%a huge missha"en nut& !ith a cor"se #or its )ernel.

'ut the lightning !ould soon ha$e re$ealed a more terri(le sight still& had there (een an% e%es to (ehold it. At midnight& !hile a "eal o# thunder !as ?ust d%ing a!a% in the distance& the crust o#death #le! asunder& rending in all directions+ and& "ale as his in$estiture& staring !ith ghastl%e%es& the #orm o# <arl started u" sitting on the couch. *ad he not (een #ar (e%ond ordinar% menin strength& he could not thus ha$e rent his se"ulchre. Indeed& had Teu#els(uerst (een a(le to#inish his tas) (% the additional la%er o# g%"sum !hich he contem"lated& he must ha$e died themoment li#e re$i$ed+ although& so long as the trance lasted& neither the e2clusion #rom the air& nor the "ractical solidi#ication o# the !alls o# his chest& could do him an% in?ur%. *e had lainunconscious throughout the o"erations o# Teu#els(uerst& (ut no! the catale"s% had "assed a!a%&

"ossi(l% under the in#luence o# the electric condition o# the atmos"here. er% li)el% the strengthhe no! "ut #orth !as intensi#ied (% a con$ulsi$e reaction o# all the "o!ers o# li#e& as is notin#re,uentl% the case in sudden a!a)enings #rom similar interru"tions o# $ital acti$it%. Thecoming to himsel# and the (ursting o# his case !ere simultaneous. *e sat staring a(out him& !ith&o# all his mental #aculties& onl% his imagination a!a)e& #rom !hich the thoughts that occu"ied it!hen he #ell senseless had not %et #aded. These thoughts had (een com"ounded o# #eelings a(out;ilith& and s"eculations a(out the $am"ire that haunted the neigh(ourhood+ and the #umes o# thelast drug o# !hich he had "arta)en& still ho$ering in his (rain& com(ined !ith these thoughts and#ancies to generate the delusion that he had ?ust (ro)en #rom the em(race o# his co##in& and risen&the last(orn o# the $am"ire race. The sense o# una$oida(le o(ligation to #ul#il his doom& !as %etmingled !ith a #aint #lutter o# ?o%& #or he )ne! that he must go to ;ilith. /ith a dee" sigh& herose& gathered u" the "all o# (lac) $el$et& #lung it around him& ste""ed #rom the couch& and le#tthe stud% to #ind her.

Meantime& Teu#els(uerst had su##icientl% reco$ered to remem(er that he had le#t the door o# thestudio un#astened& and that an% one entering !ould disco$er in !hat he had (een engaged&!hich& in the case o# his getting into an% di##icult% a(out the death o# <arl& !ould tell "o!er#ull%against him. *e !as at the #arther end o# a long "assage& leading #rom the house to the studio& onhis !a% to ma)e all secure& !hen <arl a""eared at the door& and ad$anced to!ards him. The "ainter& sei5ed !ith in$inci(le terror& turned and #led. *e reached his room& and #ell senseless onthe #loor. The "hantom held on its !a%& heedless.

;ilith& on gaining her room the second time& had thro!n hersel# on her (ed as (e#ore& and had!e"t hersel# into a trou(led slum(er. 9he la% dreamingand dread#ul dreams. 9uddenl% shea!o)e in one o# those "eals o# thunder !hich tormented the high regions o# the air& as a storm (illo!s the sur#ace o# the ocean. 9he la% a!a)e and listened. As it died a!a%& she thought sheheard& mingling !ith its last mu##led murmurs& the sound o# moaning. 9he turned her #aceto!ards the room in )een terror. 'ut she sa! nothing. Another light& longdra!n sigh reached her ear& and at the same moment a #lash o# lightning illumined the room. In the corner #arthest #romher (ed& she s"ied a !hite #ace& nothing more. 9he !as dum( and motionless !ith #ear. =tter



dar)ness #ollo!ed& a dar)ness that seemed to enter into her $er% (rain. Bet she #elt that the #ace!as slo!l% crossing the (lac) gul# o# the room& and dra!ing near to !here she la%. The ne2t#lash re$ealed& as it (ended o$er her& the ghastl% #ace o# <arl& do!n !hich #lo!ed #resh tears.The rest o# his #orm !as lost in (lac)ness. ;ilith did not #aint& (ut it !as the $er% #orce o# her#ear that seemed to )ee" her ali$e. It (ecame #or the moment the atmos"here o# her li#e. 9he la%

trem(ling and staring at the s"ot in the dar)ness !here she su""osed the #ace o# <arl still to (e.'ut the ne2t #lash sho!ed her the #ace #ar o##& loo)ing at her through the "anes o# her lattice!indo!.

For ;ottchen& as soon as he sa! ;ilith& seemed to himsel# to go through a second stage o#a!a)ing. *er #ace made him dou(t !hether he could (e a $am"ire a#ter all+ #or instead o#!anting to (ite her arm and suc) the (lood& he all (ut #ell do!n at her #eet in a "assion o#s"eechless lo$e. The ne2t moment he (ecame a!are that his "resence must (e at least $er%undesira(le to her+ and in an instant he had reached her !indo!& !hich he )ne! loo)ed u"on alo!er roo# that e2tended (et!een t!o di##erent "arts o# the house& and (e#ore the ne2t #lashcame& he had ste""ed through the lattice and closed it (ehind him.

'elie$ing his o!n room to (e attaina(le #rom this ,uarter& he "roceeded along the roo# in thedirection he ?udged (est. The cold !inter air (% degrees restored him entirel% to his right mind&and he soon com"rehended the !hole o# the circumstances in !hich he #ound himsel#. 3ee"ingthrough a !indo! he !as "assing& to see !hether it (elonged to his room& he s"ied Teu#els(uerst&!ho& at the $er% moment& !as li#ting his head #rom the #aint into !hich he had #allen at the #irstsight o# ;ottchen. The moon !as shining clear& and in its light the "ainter sa!& to his horror& the "ale #ace staring in at his !indo!. *e thought it had (een there e$er since he had #ainted& anddro""ed again in a dee"er s!oon than (e#ore. <arl sa! him #all& and the truth #lashed u"on himthat the !ic)ed artist too) him #or !hat he had (elie$ed himsel# to (e !hen #irst he reco$ered#rom his trancenamel%& the $am"ire o# the #ormer <arl /ol)enlicht. The moment hecom"rehended it& he resol$ed to )ee" u" the delusion i# "ossi(le. Meantime he !as innocentl% "re"aring a ne! ingredient #or the "o"ular dish o# horrors to (e ser$ed at the ordinar% o# the cit%the ne2t da%. For the old ser$ant4s !ere not the onl% e%es that had seen him (esides those o#Teu#els(uerst. /hat could (e more li)e a $am"ire& dragging his "all a#ter him& than thisa""arition o# "oor& hal##ro5en ;ottchen& cra!ling across the roo# <arl remem(ered a#ter!ardsthat he had heard the dogs ho!ling a!#ull% in e$er% direction& as he cre"t along+ (ut this !ashardl% necessar% to ma)e those !ho sa! him conclude that it !as the same "hantasm o# ohn<unt5& !hich had (een in#esting the !hole cit%& and es"eciall% the house ne2t door to the "ainter4s& !hich had (een the d!elling o# the res"ecta(le alderman !ho had degenerated into thismost disre"uta(le o# mone%less $aga(onds. /hat added to the consternation o# all !ho heard o#it& !as the sic)ening con$iction that the e2treme measures !hich the% had resorted to in order to#ree the cit% #rom the ghoul& (e%ond !hich nothing could (e done& had (een utterl% una$ailing&success#ul as the% had "ro$ed in e$er% other )no!n case o# the )ind. For& urged as !ell (%$arious horrid signs a(out his gra$e& !hich not e$en its close "ro2imit% to the altar could rendera "lace o# re"ose& the% had o"ened it& had #ound in the (od% e$er% "eculiarit% (elonging to a$am"ire& had "ulled it out !ith the greatest di##icult% on account o# a ,uite su"ernatural "onderosit%+ !hich rendered the horse !hich had )illed hima strong animalall (ut una(le todrag it along& and had at last& a#ter cutting it in "ieces& and e2"ending on the #ire t!o hundred andsi2teen great (illets& succeeded in con,uering its incom(usti(leness& and reducing it to ashes.



9uch& at least& !as the stor% !hich had reached the "ainter4s household& and !as (elie$ed (%man%+ and i# all this did not com"el the "ertur(ed cor"se to rest& !hat more could (e done

/hen <arl had reached his room& and !as dressing himsel#& the thought struc) him thatsomething might (e made o# the re"ort o# the e2treme !eight o# the (od% o# old <unt5& to #a$our

the continuance o# the delusion o# Teu#els(uerst& although he hardl% )ne! %et to !hat use hecould turn this delusion. *e !as con$inced that he !ould ha$e made no "rogress ho!e$er longhe might ha$e remained in his house+ and that he !ould ha$e more chance o# #a$our !ith ;ilithi# he !ere to meet her in an% other circumstances !hate$er than those in !hich he in$aria(l% sa!hernamel%& surrounded (% her #ather4s in#luences& and !atched (% her #ather4s cold (lue e%es.

As soon as he !as dressed& he cre"t do!n to the studio& !hich !as no! ,uiet enough& the storm (eing o$er& and the moon #illing it !ith her stead% shine. In the corner la% in all directions the#ragments o# the mould !hich his o!n (od% had #ormed and #illed. The (ag o# "laster and the (uc)et o# !ater !hich the "ainter had (een using stood (eside. ;ottchen gathered all the "iecestogether& and then ma)ing his !a% to an outhouse !here he had seen $arious odds and ends o#

ru((ish l%ing& chose #rom the hea" as man% "ieces o# old iron and other metal as he could #ind.To these he added a #e! large stones #rom the garden. /hen he had got all into the studio& heloc)ed the door& and "roceeded to #it together the "arts o# the mould& #illing u" the hollo! as he!ent on !ith the hea$iest things he could get into it& and solidi#%ing the !hole (% "ouring in "laster+ till& ha$ing at length com"leted it& and o(literated& as much as "ossi(le& the mar)s o# ?oining& he le#t it to harden& !ith the con$iction that no! it !ould ma)e a considera(leim"ression on Teu#els(uerst4s imagination& as !ell as on his muscular sense. *e then le#te$er%thing else as nearl% undistur(ed as he could+ and& )no!ing all the !a%s o# the house& !assoon in the street& !ithout lea$ing an% signs o# his e2it.

<arl soon #ound himsel# (e#ore the house in !hich his #riend *oellenrachen resided. <no!inghis studious ha(its& he had ho"ed to see his light still (urning& nor !as he disa""ointed. *econtri$ed to (ring him to his !indo!& and a moment a#ter& the door !as cautiousl% o"ened.

-/h%& ;ottchen& !here do %ou come #rom-

-From the gra$e& *einrich& or ne2t door to it.-

-Come in& and tell me all a(out it. /e thought the old "ainter had made a model o# %ou& andtortured %ou to death.-

-3erha"s %ou !ere not #ar !rong. 'ut get me a horn o# ale& #or e$en a $am"ire is thirst%& %ou)no!.-

-A $am"ire@- e2claimed *einrich& retreating a "ace& and in$oluntaril% "utting himsel# u"on hisguard.

<arl laughed.

-M% hand !as !arm& !as it not& old #ello!- he said. -am"ires are cold& all (ut the (lood.-



-/hat a #ool I am@- re?oined *einrich. -'ut %ou )no! !e ha$e (een hearing such horrors latel%that a #ello! ma% (e e2cused #or shuddering a little !hen a "ale#aced a""arition tells him at t!oo4cloc) in the morning that he is a $am"ire& and thirst%& too.-

<arl told him the !hole stor%+ and the mental "rocess o# regarding it #or the sa)e o# telling it&re$ealed to him "rett% clearl% some o# the treatment o# !hich he had (een unconscious at thetime. *einrich !as ,uite sure that his sus"icions !ere correct. And no! the ,uestion !as& !hat!as to (e done ne2t

-At all e$ents&- said *einrich& -!e must )ee" %ou out o# the !a% #or some time. I !ill re"resentto m% landlad% that %ou are in hiding #rom enemies& and her heart !ill rule her tongue. 9he canlet %ou ha$e a garretroom& I )no!+ and I !ill do as !ell as I can to (ear %ou com"an%. /e shallha$e time then to in$ent some "lan o# o"eration.-

To this "ro"osal <arl agreed !ith heart% than)s& and soon all !as arranged. The onl% conclusion

the% could %et arri$e at !as& that someho! or other the old demon"ainter must (e tamed.

Meantime& ho! #ared it !ith ;ilith 9he too had no dou(t that she had seen the (od%ghost o# "oor <arl& and that the $am"ire had& according to rule& "aid her the #irst $isit (ecause he lo$edher (est. This !as horri(le enough i# the $am"ire !ere not reall% the "erson he re"resented+ (uti# in an% sense it !ere <arl himsel#& at least it ga$e some e2"ectation o# a more "rolongede2istence than her #ather had taught her to loo) #or+ and i# lo$e an%thing li)e her mother4s stilllasted& e$en along !ith the ha(its o# a $am"ire& there !as something to ho"e #or in the #uture.And then& though he had $isited her& he had not& as #ar as she !as a!are& de"ri$ed her o# a dro"o# (lood. 9he could not (e certain that he had not (itten her& #or she had (een in such a strangecondition o# mind that she might not ha$e #elt it& (ut she (elie$ed that he had restrained theim"ulses o# his $am"ire nature& and had le#t her& lest he should %et %ield to them. 9he #ell #astaslee"+ and& !hen morning came& there !as not& as #ar as she could ?udge& one o# those triangular leechli)e "er#orations to (e #ound u"on her !hole (od%. /ill it (e (elie$ed that the moment she!as satis#ied o# this& she !as sei5ed (% a terri(le ?ealous%& lest <arl should ha$e gone and (ittensome one else Most "eo"le !ill !onder that she should not ha$e gone out o# her senses at once+ (ut there !as all the di##erence (et!een a $isit #rom a real $am"ire and a $isit #rom a man shehad (egun to lo$e& e$en although she too) him #or a $am"ire. All the di##erence does 0not0 lie ina name. The% !ere $er% di##erent causes& and the e##ects must (e $er% di##erent.

/hen Teu#els(uerst came do!n in the morning& he cre"t into the studio li)e a murderer. Therela% the a!#ul !hite (loc)& seeming to his e%es ?ust the same as he had le#t it. /hat !as to (edone !ith it *e dared not o"en it. Mould and model must go together. 'ut !hither I# in,uir%should (e made a#ter /ol)enlicht& and this !ere disco$ered an%!here on his "remises& !ould itnot (e enough to (ring him at once to the gallo!s There#ore it !ould (e dangerous to (ur% it inthe garden& or in the cellar.

-'esides&- thought he& !ith a shudder& -that !ould (e to #i2 the $am"ire as a guest #or e$er.-And the horrors o# the "ast night rushed (ac) u"on his imagination !ith rene!ed intensit%. /hat



!ould it (e to ha$e the dead <arl cra!ling a(out his house #or e$er& no! inside& no! out& no!sitting on the stairs& no! staring in at the !indo!s

*e !ould ha$e dragged it to the (ottom o# his garden& "ast !hich the Moldau #lo!ed& and "lunged it into the stream+ (ut then& should the s"ectre continue to "ro$e trou(lesome& it !ould

(e almost im"ossi(le to reach the (od% so as to destro% it (% #ire+ (esides !hich& he could not doit !ithout assistance& and the "ro(a(ilit% o# disco$er%. I#& ho!e$er& the a""arition should turn outto (e no $am"ire& (ut onl% a res"ecta(le ghost& the% might manage to endure its "resence& till itshould (e !ear% o# haunting them.

*e resol$ed at last to con$e% the (od% #or the meantime into a concealed cellar in the house&seeing something must (e done (e#ore his daughter came do!n. 3roceeding to remo$e it& hisconsternation as greatl% increased !hen he disco$ered ho! the (od% had gro!n in !eight sincehe had thus dis"osed o# it& lea$ing on his mind scarcel% a ho"e that it could turn out not to (e a$am"ire a#ter all. *e could scarcel% stir it& and there !as (ut one !hom he could call to hisassistancethe old !oman !ho acted as his house)ee"er and ser$ant.

*e !ent to her room& roused her& and told her the !hole stor%. De$oted to her master #or man%%ears& and not ,uite so sensiti$e to #ear#ul in#luences as !hen less e2"erienced in horrors& shesho!ed immediate readiness to render him assistance. =tterl% una(le& ho!e$er& to li#t the mass (et!een them& the% could onl% drag and "ush it along+ and such a slo! toil !as it that there !asno time to remo$e the traces o# its trac)& (e#ore ;ilith came do!n and sa! a (road !hite lineleading #rom the door o# the studio do!n the cellarstairs. 9he )ne! in a moment !hat it meant+ (ut not a !ord !as uttered a(out the matter& and the name o# <arl /ol)enlicht seemed to (eentirel% #orgotten.

'ut ho! could the a##airs o# a house go on all the same !hen e$er% one o# the household )ne!that a dead (od% la% in the cellarna% more& that& although it la% still and dead enough all da%& it!ould come hal# ali$e at night#all& and& turning the !hole house into a se"ulchre (% its "resence&go cree"ing a(out li)e a cat all o$er it in the dar)"erha"s !ith "hos"horescent e%es 9o it !asnot sur"rising that the "ainter a(andoned his studio earl%& and that the three #ound themsel$estogether in the gorgeous room #ormerl% descri(ed& as soon as t!ilight (egan to #all.

Alread% Teu#els(uerst had (egun to e2"erience a )ind o# shrin)ing #rom the horrid #aces in hiso!n "ictures& and to #eel disgusted at the a(ortions o# his o!n mind. 'ut all that he and the old!oman no! #elt !as an increasing #ear as the night dre! on& a )ind o# sic)ening and "aral%singterror. The thing do!n there !ould not lie ,uietat least its "hantom in the cellars o# theirimagination !ould not. As much as "ossi(le& ho!e$er& the% a$oided alarming ;ilith& !ho&)no!ing all the% )ne!& !as as silent as the%. 'ut her mind !as in a strange state o# e2citement& "artl% #rom the "resence o# a ne! sense o# lo$e& the "leasure o# !hich all the atmos"here o# grie# into !hich it gre! could not totall% ,uench. It com#orted her someho!& as a child ma% com#ort!hen his #ather is a!a%.

'edtime came& and no one made a mo$e to go. /ithout a !ord s"o)en on the su(?ect& the threeremained together all night+ the elders nodding and slum(ering occasionall%& and ;ilith gettingsome share o# re"ose on a couch. All night the sha"e o# death might (e some!here a(out the



house+ (ut it did not distur( them. The% heard no sound& sa! no sight+ and !hen the morningda!ned& the% se"arated& chilled and stu"id& and #or the time (e%ond #ear& to see) re"ose in their "ri$ate cham(ers. There the% remained e,uall% undistur(ed.

'ut !hen the "ainter a""roached his easel a #e! hours a#ter& loo)ing more "ale and haggard still

than he !as !ont& #rom the #ears o# the night& a ne! (e!ilderment too) "ossession o# him. *ehad (een (us% !ith a #resh em(odiment o# his #a$ourite su(?ect& into !hich he had s)etched the#orm o# the student as the su##erer. *e had re"resented "oor /ol)enlicht as ?ust (eginning toreco$er #rom a trance& !hile a grou" o# surgeons& una!are o# the signs o# returning li#e& !erea(sor(ed in a minute dissection o# one o# the lim(s. At an o"en door he had "ainted ;ilith "assing& !ith her #ace (uried in a (unch o# s!eet "eas. 'ut !hen he came to the "icture& he#ound& to his astonishment and terror& that the #ace o# one o# the grou" !as no! turned to!ardsthat o# the $ictim& regarding his re$i$al !ith demoniac satis#action& and ta)ing "ains to "re$entthe others #rom disco$ering it. The #ace o# this "rince o# torturers !as that o# Teu#els(uersthimsel#. ;ilith had altogether $anished& and in her "lace stood the dim $am"ire reiteration o# the (od% that la% e2tended on the ta(le& staring greedil% at the assem(led com"an%. /ith trem(ling

hands the "ainter remo$ed the "icture #rom the easel& and turned its #ace to the !all.

# course this !as the !or) o# ;ottchen. /hen he le#t the house& he too) !ith him the )e% o# asmall "ri$ate door& !hich !as so seldom used that& !hile it remained closed& the )e% !ould not (e missed& "erha"s #or man% months. /atching the !indo!s& he had chosen a sa#e time to enter&and had (een hard at !or) all night on these alterations. Teu#els(uerst attri(uted them to the$am"ire& and le#t the "icture as he #ound it& not daring to "ut (rush to it again.

The ne2t night !as "assed much a#ter the same #ashion. 'ut the #ear had (egun to die a!a% alittle in the hearts o# the !omen& !ho did not )no! !hat had ta)en "lace in the studio on the "re$ious night. It (urro!ed& ho!e$er& !ith gathered #orce in the $itals o# Teu#els(uerst. 'ut thisnight li)e!ise "assed in "eace+ and (e#ore it !as o$er& the old !oman had ta)en to s"eculating inher o!n mind as to the (est !a% o# dis"osing o# the (od%& seeing it !as not at all li)el% to (etrou(lesome. 'ut !hen the "ainter entered his studio in tre"idation the ne2t morning& he #oundthat the #orm o# the lo$el% ;ilith !as "ainted out o# e$er% "icture in the room. This could not (econcealed+ and ;ilith and the ser$ant (ecame a!are that the studio !as the "ortion o# the housein haunting !hich the $am"ire le#t the rest in "eace.

<arl recounted all the tric)s he had "la%ed to his #riend *einrich& !ho (egged to (e allo!ed to (ear him com"an% the #ollo!ing night. To this <arl consented& thin)ing it !ould (e considera(l%more agreea(le to ha$e a com"anion. 9o the% too) a cou"le o# (ottles o# !ine and some "ro$isions !ith them& and (e#ore midnight #ound themsel$es snug in the studio. The% sat $er%,uiet #or some time& #or the% )ne! that i# the% !ere seen& t!o $am"ires !ould not (e so terri(leas one& and might occasion disco$er%. 'ut at length *einrich could (ear it no longer.

-I sa%& ;ottchen& let4s go and loo)+ #or %our dead (od%. /hat has the old (eggar done !ith it-

-I thin) I )no!. 9to"+ let me "ee" out. All right@ Come along.-



/ith a lam" in his hand& he led the !a% to the cellars& and a#ter searching a(out a little the%disco$ered it.

-It loo)s horrid enough&- said *einrich& -(ut thin) a dro" or t!o o# !ine !ould (righten it u" alittle.-

9o he too) a (ottle #rom his "oc)et& and a#ter the% had had a glass a"iece& he dro""ed a third in (lots all o$er the "laster. 'eing red !ine& it had the e##ect *oellenrachen desired.

-/hen the% $isit it ne2t& the% !ill )no! that the $am"ire can #ind the #ood he "re#ers&- said he.

In a corner close (% the "laster& the% #ound the clothes <arl had !orn.

-*illo@- said *einrich& -!e4ll ma)e something o# this #ind.-

9o he carried them !ith him to the studio. There he got hold o# the la%#igure.

-/hat are %ou a(out& *einrich-

-Going to ma)e a scarecro! to )ee" the ra$ens o## old Teu#el4s "ictures&- ans!ered *einrich& ashe !ent on dressing the la%#igure in <arl4s clothes. *e ne2t seated the creature at an easel !ithits (ac) to the door& so that it should (e the #irst thing the "ainter should see !hen he entered.<arl meant to remo$e this (e#ore he !ent& #or it !as too comical to #all in !ith the rest o# his "roceedings. 'ut the t!o sat do!n to their su""er& and (% the time the% had #inished the !ine&the% thought the% should li)e to go to (ed. 9o the% got u" and !ent home& and <arl #orgot thela%#igure& lea$ing it in (us% motionlessness all night (e#ore the easel. /hen Teu#els(uerst sa!it& he turned and #led !ith a cr% that (rought his daughter to his hel". *e rushed "ast her& a(leonl% to articulate:

-The $am"ire@ The $am"ire@ 3ainting@-

Far more courageous than he& (ecause her conscience !as more "eace#ul& ;ilith "assed on to thestudio. 9he too recoiled a ste" or t!o !hen she sa! the #igure+ (ut !ith the sight o# the (ac) o#<arl& as she su""osed it to (e& came the longing to see the #ace that !as on the other side. 9o shecre"t round and round (% the !all& as #ar o## as she could. The #igure remained motionless. It !asa strange )ind o# shoc) that she e2"erienced !hen she sa! the #ace& disgusting #rom its inanit%.The a(surdit% ne2t struc) her+ and !ith the a(surdit% #lashed into her mind the con$iction thatthis !as not the doing o# a $am"ire+ #or o# all creatures under the moon& he could not (e e2"ectedto (e a humorist. A !ild ho"e s"rang u" in her mind that <arl !as not dead. # this she soonresol$ed to ma)e hersel# sure.

9he closed the door o# the studio+ in the strength o# her ne! ho"e undressed the #igure& "ut it inits "lace& concealed the garmentsall the !or) o# a #e! minutes+ and then& #inding her #ather ?ustreco$ering #rom the !orst o# his #ear& told him there !as nothing in the studio (ut !hat ought to (e there& and "ersuaded him to go and see. *e not onl% sa! no one& (ut #ound that no #urtherli(erties had (een ta)en !ith his "ictures. eassured& he soon "ersuaded himsel# that the s"ectre



in this case had (een the o##s"ring o# his o!n terrorhaunted (rain. 'ut he had no s"irit #or "ainting no!. *e !andered a(out the house& himsel# haunting it li)e a restless ghost.

/hen night came& ;ilith retired to her o!n room. The !aters o# #ear had (egun to su(side in thehouse+ (ut the "ainter and his old attendant did not %et #ollo! her e2am"le.

As soon& ho!e$er& as the house !as ,uite still& ;ilith glided noiselessl% do!n the stairs& !entinto the studio& !here as %et there assuredl% !as no $am"ire& and concealed hersel# in a corner.

As it !ould not do #or an earnest student li)e *einrich to (e a!a% #rom his !or) $er% o#ten& hehad not as)ed to accom"an% ;ottchen this time. And indeed <arl himsel#& a little an2ious a(outthe result o# the scarecro!& greatl% "re#erred going alone.

/hile she !as !aiting #or !hat might ha""en& the con$iction gre! u"on ;ilith& as she re$ie!edall the "ast o# the stor%& that these "henomena !ere the !or) o# the real <arl& and o# no $am"ire.In a #e! moments she !as still more sure o# this. 'ehind the screen !here she had ta)en re#uge&

hung one o# the "ictures out o# !hich her "ortrait had (een "ainted the night (e#ore last. 9he hadta)en a lam" !ith her into the studio& !ith the intention o# e2tinguishing it the moment she heardan% sign o# a""roach+ (ut as the $am"ire lingered& she (egan to occu"% hersel# !ith e2aminingthe "icture (eside her. 9he had not loo)ed at it long& (e#ore she !etted the ti" o# her #ore#inger&and (egan to ru( a!a% at the o(literation. *er sus"icions !ere instantl% con#irmed: the su(stanceem"lo%ed !as onl% a gumm% !ash o$er the "aint. The delight she e2"erienced at the disco$er%thre! her into a mischie$ous humour.

-I !ill see&- she said to hersel#& -!hether I cannot match <arl /ol)enlicht at this game.-

In a closet in the room hung a num(er o# costumes& !hich ;ilith had at di##erent times !orn #orher #ather. Among them !as a large !hite dra"er%& !hich she easil% dis"osed as a shroud. /iththe hel" o# some chal)& she soon made hersel# ghastl% enough& and then "lacing her lam" on the#loor (ehind the screen& and setting a chair o$er it& so that it should thro! no light in an%direction& she !aited once more #or the $am"ire. >or had she much longer to !ait. 9he soonheard a door mo$e& the sound o# !hich she hardl% )ne!& and then the studio door o"ened. *erheart (eat dread#ull%& not !ith #ear lest it should (e a $am"ire a#ter all& (ut !ith ho"e that it !as<arl. To see him once more !as too great ?o%. /ould she not ma)e u" to him #or all hercoldness@ 'ut !ould he care #or her no! 3erha"s he had (een ,uite cured o# his longing #or ahard heart li)e hers. 9he "ee"ed. It !as he sure enough& loo)ing as handsome as e$er. *e !asholding his light to loo) at her last !or)& and the e2"ression o# his #ace& e$en in regarding herhandi!or)& !as enough to let her )no! that he lo$ed her still. I# she had not seen this& she darednot ha$e sho!n hersel# #rom her hiding"lace. Ta)ing the lam" in her hand& she got u"on thechair& and loo)ed o$er the screen& letting the light shine #rom (elo! u"on her #ace. 9he thenmade a slight noise to attract <arl4s attention. *e loo)ed u"& e$identl% rather startled& and sa! the#ace o# ;ilith in the air: *e ga$e a sti#led cr% thre! himsel# on his )nees !ith his arms stretchedto!ards her& and moaned

-I ha$e )illed her@ I ha$e )illed her@-



;ilith descended& and a""roached him noiselessl%. *e did not mo$e. 9he came close to him andsaid

-Are %ou <arl /ol)enlicht-

*is li"s mo$ed& (ut no sound came.

-I# %ou are a $am"ire& and I am a ghost&- she said(ut a lo! ha""% laugh alone concluded thesentence.

<arl s"rang to his #eet. ;ilith4s laugh changed into a (urst o# so((ing and !ee"ing& and inanother moment the ghost !as in the arms o# the $am"ire.

;ilith had no idea ho! #ar her #ather had !ronged <arl& and though& #rom thin)ing o$er the "ast&he had no dou(t that the "ainter had drugged him& he did not !ish to "ain her (% im"arting thiscon$iction. 'ut ;ilith !as a#raid o# a reaction o# rage and hatred in her #ather a#ter the terror !as

remo$ed+ and <arl sa! that he might thus (e de"ri$ed o# all #urther intercourse !ith ;ilith& andall chance o# so#tening the old man4s heart to!ards him+ !hile ;ilith !ould not hear o# #orsa)inghim !ho had (anished all the human race (ut hersel#. The% managed at length to agree u"on a "lan o# o"eration.

The #irst thing the% did !as to go to the cellar !here the "laster mass la%& <arl carr%ing !ith hima great a2e used #or clea$ing !ood. ;ilith shuddered !hen she sa! it& stained as it !as !ith the!ine *einrich had s"ilt o$er it& and almost (elie$ed hersel# the midnight com"anion o# a $am"irea#ter all& $isiting !ith him the terri(le cor"se in !hich he li$ed all da%. 'ut <arl soon reassuredher+ and a #e! good (lo!s o# the a2e re$ealed a $er% di##erent core to that !hich Teu#els(uerstsu""osed to (e in it. <arl (ro)e it into "ieces& and !ith ;ilith4s hel"& !ho insisted on carr%ing her share& the !hole !as soon at the (ottom o# the Moldau and e$er% trace o# its e$er ha$ing e2istedremo$ed. 'e#ore morning& too& the #orm o# ;ilith had da!ned ane! in e$er% "icture. There !asno time to restore to its #ormer condition the one <arl had #irst altered+ #or in it the changes !ereall that the% seemed+ nor indeed !as he ca"a(le o# restoring it in the master4s st%le+ (ut the% "ut it,uite out o# the !a%& and ho"ed that su##icient time might ela"se (e#ore the "ainter thought o# itagain.

/hen the% had done& and ;ilith& #or all his entreaties& !ould remain !ith him no longer& <arltoo) his #ormer clothes !ith him& and ha$ing s"ent the rest o# the night in his old room& dressedin them in the morning. /hen Teu#els(uerst entered his studio ne2t da%& there sat <arl& as i#nothing had ha""ened& #inishing the dra!ing on !hich he had (een at !or) !hen the #it o#insensi(ilit% came u"on him. The "ainter started& stared& ru((ed his e%es& thought it !as anothers"ectral illusion& and !as on the "oint o# %ielding to his terror& !hen <arl rose& and a""roachedhim !ith a smile. The health%& sunshin% countenance o# <arl& let him (e ghost or go(lin& couldnot #ail to "roduce some!hat o# a tran,uillising e##ect on Teu#els(uerst. *e too) his o##ered handmechanicall%& his countenance utterl% $acant !ith idiotic (e!ilderment. <arl said

-I !as not !ell& and thought it (etter to "a% a $isit to a #riend #or a #e! da%s+ (ut I shall soonma)e u" #or lost time& #or I am all right no!.-



*e sat do!n at once& ta)ing no notice o# his master4s (eha$iour& and !ent on !ith his dra!ing.Teu#els(uerst stood staring at him #or some minutes !ithout mo$ing& then suddenl% turned andle#t the room. <arl heard him hurr%ing do!n the cellar stairs. In a #e! moments he came u"again. <arl stole a glance at him. There he stood in the same s"ot& no dou(t more #ull o#

(e!ilderment than e$er& (ut it !as not "ossi(le that his #ace should e2"ress more. At last he !entto his easel& and sat do!n !ith a longdra!n sigh as i# o# relie#. 'ut though he sat at his easel& he "ainted none that da%+ and as o#ten as <arl $entured a glance& he sa! him still staring at him. Thedisco$er% that his "ictures !ere restored to their #ormer condition aided& no dou(t& in leading himto the same conclusion as the other #acts& !hate$er that conclusion might (e"ro(a(l% that hehad (een the s"ort o# some e$il "o!er& and had (een #or the greater "art o# a !ee) utterl% (e!itched. ;ilith had ta)en care to instruct the old !oman& !ith !hom she !as all"o!er#ul+ andas neither o# them sho!ed the smallest traces o# the astonishment !hich seemed to (e slo!l%$itri#%ing his o!n (rain& he !as at last "er#ectl% satis#ied that things had (een going on all righte$er%!here (ut in his inner man+ and in this conclusion he certainl% !as not #ar !rong& in moresenses than one. 'ut !hen all !as restored again to the old routine& it (ecame e$ident that the

"eculiar direction o# his art in !hich he had hitherto indulged had ceased to interest him. Theshoc) had acted chie#l% u"on that "art o# his mental (eing !hich had (een so a(sor(ed. *e!ould sit #or hours !ithout doing an%thing& a""arentl% "lunged in meditation.9e$eral !ee)sela"sed !ithout an% change& and (oth ;ilith and <arl !ere getting dread#ull% an2ious a(out him.<arl "aid him e$er% attention+ and the old man& #or he no! loo)ed much older than (e#ore&su(mitted to recei$e his ser$ices as !ell as those o# ;ilith. At length& one morning& he said in aslo! thought#ul tone

-<arl /ol)enlicht& I should li)e to "aint %ou.-

-Certainl%& sir&- ans!ered <arl& ?um"ing u"& -!here !ould %ou li)e me to sit-

9o the ice o# silence and inacti$it% !as (ro)en& and the "ainter dre! and "ainted+ and the s"ringo# his art #lo!ed once more+ and he made a (eauti#ul "ortrait o# <arla "ortrait !ithout e$il orsu##ering. And as soon as he had #inished <arl& he (egan once more to "aint ;ilith+ and !hen hehad "ainted her& he com"osed a "icture #or the $er% "ur"ose o# introducing them together+ and inthis "icture there !as neither ugliness nor torture& (ut human #eeling and human ho"e instead.Then <arl )ne! that he might s"ea) to him o# ;ilith+ and he s"o)e& and !as heard !ith a smile.'ut he did not dare to tell him the truth o# the $am"ire stor% till one da% that Teu#els(uerst !asl%ing on the #loor o# a room in <arl4s ancestral castle& hal# smothered in grandchildren+ !hen theonl% ans!er it dre! #rom the old man !as a )ind o# shuddering laugh and the !ords -Don4ts"ea) o# it& <arl& m% (o%@-

Far A(o$e u(ies

*ector Macintosh !as a %oung man a(out #i$eandt!ent%& !ho& !ith the "rocli$ities o# the Celt&inherited also some o# the conse,uent disa(ilities& as !ell as some that !ere accidental. Amongthe rest !as a strong tendenc% to regard onl% the ideal& and turn a!a% #rom an% authorit% deri$ed#rom an in#erior source. *is chie# delight la% in the attem"t to em(od%& in !hat seemed to him



the natural #orm o# $erse& the thoughts in him constantl% mo$ing at least in the direction o# theideal& e$en !hen he !as most conscious o# his ina(ilit% to attain to the utterance o# them. 'ut it!as onl% in the retirement o# his o!n cham(er that he attem"ted their em(odiment+ o# all things&he shran) #rom an% communion !hate$er concerning these cherished matters. >or& indeed& hadhe an% #riends !ho could tem"t him to share !ith them !hat seemed to him his (est+ so that& in

truth& he !as intimate !ith none. *is mind !ould d!ell much u"on lo$e and #riendshi" in theimaginar% a(stract& (ut o# neither had he had the smallest immediate e2"erience. *e hadcherished onl% the ideals o# the "urest and highest sort o# either "assion& and seemed to #indsatis#action enough in the endea$or to em(od% such in his $erse& !ithout e$en imagining himsel# in communication !ith an% $isionar% "u(lic. The era had not %et da!ned !hen e$er% scri((ler isconsumed !ith the $ain am(ition o# (eing recogni5ed& not& indeed& as !hat he is& (ut as !hat he "ictures himsel# in his secret sessions o# thought. That disease could hardl% attac) him !hile %ethis $er% imaginations recoiled #rom the thought o# the inimical "resence o# a strangerconsciousness. /hether this !as modest%& or had its hidden (ase in conceit& I am& !ith the #e!insights I ha$e had into his mind& una(le to determine.

That he had leisure #or the indulgence o# his (ent !as the result o# his "eculiar "osition. *e li$edin the house o# his #ather& and !as in his #ather4s em"lo%ment& so that he !as a(le (oth toaccommodate himsel# to his #ather4s re,uirements and at the same time #ull% indulge his o!nes"ecial taste. The elder Macintosh !as a (an)er in one o# the larger count% to!ns o# 9cotlandat least& such is the "ro#ession and "osition there accorded (% "o"ular consent to one !ho is& in#act& onl% a (an)agent& #or it is a "ost in$ol$ing a good deal o# in#luence and a %et greaterres"onsi(ilit%. # this res"onsi(ilit%& ho!e$er& he had allo!ed his son to #eel nothing& merel%using him as a cler)& and lea$ing him& as soon as the stated hour #or his o##ice!or) e2"ired& #reein mind as !ell as (od%& until the ne! da% should ma)e a #resh claim u"on his time and attention.*is mother seldom sa! him e2ce"t at meals& and& indeed& although he al!a%s (eha$ed duti#ull%to her& there !as literall% no intercommunion o# thought or #eeling (et!een thema #act !hich "ro(a(l% had a good deal to do !ith the unde$elo"ed condition in !hich *ector #ound& or rather&did not #ind himsel#. ccasionall% his mother !anted him to accom"an% her #or a call& (ut hea$oided %ielding as much as "ossi(le& and generall% !ith success+ #or this !as one o# the claimso# social con$ention against !hich he steadil% re(elledthe more determinedl% that in none o#his mother4s #riends could he ta)e the smallest interest+ #or she !as essentiall% a common"lace (ecause am(itious !oman& !ithout a s"ar) o# as"iration& and her #riends !ere o# the same sort&!ithout regard #or an%thing (ut !hat !asor& at least& the% su""osed to (ethe #ashion. Indeed&it !as hard to understand ho! *ector came e$er to (e (orn o# such a !oman& although in truthshe !as o# as "ure Celtic origin as her hus(andonl% (lood is not s"irit& and that is o#ten clearl%mani#est. *is #ather& on the other hand& !as not !ithout some signs o# an imagination,uiteunde$elo"ed& indeed& and& I (elie$e& su""ressed (% the re,uirements o# his (usiness relations. Atthe same time& *ector )ne! that he cherished not a little indignation against the insolence o# thegood Dr. ohnson in regard to (oth ssian and his hum(le translator& Mac"herson& u"holding thegenuineness o# (oth& although una(le to enter into and set #orth the "oints o# the argument oneither side. As to *ector& he re$eled in the ancient traditions o# his #amil%& and not un#re,uentl%in his earlier %outh had made an attem"t to reem(od% some o# its legends into nglish& $ain asregarded the retention o# the s"ecial airiness and suggesti$eness o# their $aguel% sho!ings%m(olism& #or o#ten he dro""ed his "en !ith a sigh o# des"air at the illusi$eness o# the s"ecialaroma o# the Celtic imagination. For the rest& he had had as good an education as 9cotland could



in those da%s a##ord him& one o# !hose (est #eatures !as the negati$e one that it did not at allinter#ere !ith the natural course o# his in(orn tendencies& and merel% de$elo"ed the "o!er o#e2"ressing himsel# in !hat manner he might thin) #it. ;et me add that he had a goodconscienceI mean& a conscience read% to gi$e him !arning o# the least tendenc% to o$erste"an% line o# "rohi(ition+ and that& as %et& he had ne$er consciousl% re#used to attend to such

!arning.

Another thing I must mention is that& although his mind !as constantl% haunted (% imaginar%#orms o# lo$eliness& he had ne$er %et (een !hat is called 0in lo$e0. For he had ne$er %et seenan%one !ho e$en a""roached his idea o# s"iritual at once and "h%sical attraction. *e !as contentto li$e and !ait& !ithout e$en the notion that he !as !aiting #or an%thing. *e !ent on !riting his$erses& and recei$ing the re!ard& such as it !as& o# ha$ing "laced on record the thoughts !hichhad come to him& so that he might at !ill recall them. >either had he an% thought o# the mentalsoil !hich !as thus slo!l% gathering #or the "ossi(le gro!th o# an un)no!n seed& #it #or gro!ingand de$elo"ing in that same un)no!n soil.

ne da% there arri$ed in that cold >orthern cit% a certain cold& sunshin% morning& ga% ands"ar)ling& and !ith it the (eginning o# !hat& #or !ant o# a (etter !ord& !e ma% call his #ate. *e)ne! nothing o# its a""roach& had not the slightest "re$ision that the di$init% had that moment "ut his hand to the sha"ing o# his roughhe!n ends. It !as earl% cto(er (% the calendar& (utlea$es (ro!n and s"otted and dr% la% alread% in little hea"s on the "a$ementhea"s made andunmade continuall%& as i# #or the s"ort o# the )een !ind that no! scattered them !ith a rush& andagain& e2tem"ori5ing a little e$anescent !hirl"ool& gathered a #resh hea" u"on the #lags& again torush asunder& as in direst terror o# the #reshin$ading !ind& determined %et again to scatter them&a (ro)en rout o# esca"ing #ugiti$es. Along the "a$ement& seemingl% in #urtherance o# the carelessdesign o# the !ind& a girl !ent heedlessl% scushling along among the unresting and unresistinglea$es& ma)ing !ith her rather short s)irt a mimic !hirl!ind o# her o!n. *er e%es !ere #i2ed onthe ground& and she seemed a(sor(ed in an2ious thought& !hich thought had its origin in one o#the commonest causes o# human "er"le2it%the need o# mone%& and the im"ossi(ilit% o# de$isinga scheme (% !hich to "rocure an%. It !as (ut a #e! !ee)s since her #ather had died& lea$ing (ehind him such a scant% "ro$ision #or his !ido! and child that onl% (% the utmost care andcoa2ing !ere the% a(le #rom the #irst to ma)e it meet their necessities. >or& indeed& !ould it ha$e (een "ossi(le #or them to su(sist had not a (rother o# the !ido! su""lemented their "oorresources !ith an uncertain contingent& !hose continuance he !as not a(le to secure& or e$endared to "romise.

At the "resent moment& ho!e$er& it !as not an2iet% as to their o!n a##airs that occu"ied the mindo# Annie Mel$ille& near enough as that might ha$e lain+ it !as the unha""% condition in !hichthe im"rudence o# a school#riendalmost her onl% #riendhad in$ol$ed hersel# (% her hast%marriage !ith a man !ho& u" to the "resent moment& had sho!n no #acult% #or hel"ing himsel# or the !i#e he had in$ol$ed in his #ate& and !ho did not )no! !here or (% !hat means to "rocuree$en the (read o# !hich the% !ere in immediate !ant.

>o! Annie had ne$er had to su##er hunger& and the idea that her com"anion #rom childhoodshould (e e2"osed to such a #ate !as !hat she could not (ear. Bet& #or an% !a% out o# it she couldsee& it !ould ha$e to (e (orne. 9he might "ossi(l%& (% hersel# going !ithout& ha$e gi$en her a



good "iece o# (read+ (ut then she !ould certainl% share it !ith her #oolish hus(and& and there!ould (e little satis#action in that@ The% had alread% arri$ed at a stage in their do!n!ard "rogress !hen not gold& or e$en sil$er& (ut (are co""er& !as lac)ing as the e,ui$alent #or the (read that could (ut )ee" them ali$e until the ne2t rousing o# the hunger that e$en no! la% acrosstheir threshold. And ho! could she& in her all (ut a(solute "o$ert%& do an%thing *er mother !as

(ut one "ace or so #rom the same goal& and !ould& as a mother must& inter#ere to "re$ent heruseless "ost"onement o# the ine$ita(le. It !as clear she could do nothingand %et she could illconsent that it should (e so.

/hen her #ather almost suddenl% le#t them alone& Annie !as alread% acting as assistant in theGirls4 *igh 9chool(ut& alas@ !ithout an% recognition o# her ser$ices (% e$en a "romise o#coming "a%ment. 9he li$ed onl% in the ho"e o# a small salar%& de"endent on her de#initea""ointment to the o##ice. To attem"t to dra! u"on this ho"e !ould (e to im"eril thea""ointment itsel#. 9he could not& e$en #or her #riend& ris) her mother4s "ros"ects& alread% "oorenough+ and she could not hel" "ercei$ing the ho"elessness o# her #riend4s case& (ecause o# theutter characterlessness o# the hus(and to !hom she !as ensla$ed. /h% inter#ere !ith the hunger

he !ould do nothing to #orestall *o! could she e$en gi$e such a man the si2"ence !hich had (een her #ather4s last gi#t to her

'ut Annie !as one to !hom& in the course o# her li#e& something strange had not un#re,uentl%ha""ened& chie#l% in the sha"e o# !hat the common mind !ould set aside as mere coincidence. Ido not sa% 0man%0 such things had occurred in her li#e+ (ut& together& their strangeness and theirrecurrence had caused her to remem(er e$er% one o# them& so that& !hen she re$ie!ed them&the% seemed to her man%. And no!& !ith a shado!% "re$ision& as it seemed& that something !asgoing to ha""en& and !ith a shado!% recollection that she had )no!n (e#orehand it !as coming&something strange did ta)e "lace. # such things she used& in a#ter da%s& al!a%s to em"lo% theold& statel% 'i(le"hrase& -It came to "ass-+ she ne$er said& -It ha""ened.-

As she !al)ed along !ith her e%es on the ground& the !ithered lea$es caught u" e$er% no! andthen in a !ild dance (% the #rolicsome !ind& she !as suddenl% a!are o# something among them!hich she could not identi#%& !hirling in the aerial $orte2 a(out her #eet. 9carcel% caring !hat it!as& she %et& all (ut mechanicall%& loo)ed at it a little closer& lost it #rom sight& caught it again& asa #resh (last sent it once more g%rating a(out her #eet& and no! regarded it more stead#astl%.$en then it loo)ed li)e nothing (ut another !ithered lea#& (ro!n and !rin)led& gi$en o$er to the!ind& and rustling along at its merc%. Bet it made an im"ression u"on her so #ar unli)e that o# alea# that #or a moment more she #i2ed on it a still )eener loo) o# unconsciousl% e2"ectant e%es&and sa! onl% that it loo)ed"erha"s a little larger than most o# the other lea$es& (ut as (ro!nand dead as the%. Almost the same instant& ho!e$er& she turned and "ounced u"on it& and& themoment she handled it& (ecame a!are that it #elt less crum(l% and (rittle than the others loo)ed&and then sa! clearl% that it !as not a lea#& (ut "erha"s a rag& or "ossi(l% a "iece o# soiled andrum"led "a"er. /ith a curiosit% gro!ing to e2"ectation& and in a moment to !onderingrecognition& she "roceeded to uncrum"le it care#ull% and smooth it out tenderl%+ nor !as the "rocess ,uite com"leted !hen she #ell u"on her )nees on the cold #lags& her little cloa) #lo!ing!ide #rom the clas" at her nec) in a %et !ilder "u## o# the (itter !ind+ (ut suddenl% remem(eringthat she must not (e "ra%ing in the sight o# men& started again to her #eet& and& !ra""ing herclosed hand tight in the scant% (order o# her cloa)& hurried& !ith the "oundnote she had rescued&



to the #riend !hose need !as sorer than her o!nnot !ithout an unde#ined an2iet% in her heart!hether she !as doing right. *o! much good the note did& or !hether it merel% #ell into the (ottomless gul# o# irremedia(le loss& I cannot tell. Annie4s #riend and her shi#tless mate at oncechanged their dirt% "iece o# "a"er #or sil$er& (ought #ood and rail!a% tic)ets& le#t the to!n& anddisa""eared entirel% #rom her hori5on.

'ut conse,uences !ere not o$er !ith Annie+ and the ne2t da% she (ecame ac,uainted !ith the#act that "ro$ed o# great signi#icance to her& namel%& that the same e$ening she #ound the mone%&Mr. Macintosh4s )itchenchimne% had (een on #ire+ and it !anted (ut the )no!ledge o# ho! thishad ta)en "lace to change the girl4s consciousness #rom that o# one s"eciall% aided (% theministr% o# an angel to that o# a %oung !oman& honest hitherto& suddenl% changed into a thie#@

For& in the course o# a certain #riendl% gossi"4s narrati$e& it came out that that night the (an)erhad (een using the )itchen #ire #or the destruction o# an accumulation o# (an)notes& the commoncurrenc% o# 9cotland& !hich had (een ?udged altogether too dirt%& or too much dila"idated& to (ereissued. The )no!ledge o# this #act !as the slam o# the closing door& !here(% Annie #ound her

soul shut out to !ander in a night o# disma%. The !oman !ho told the #act sa! nothing o#conse,uence in it+ Mrs. Mel$ille& to !hom she !as telling it& sa! nothing (ut "erha"s a lesson onthe dut% o# ha$ing chimne%s regularl% s!e"t& (ecause o# the danger to neigh(oring thatch. 'uthad not Annie (een seated in the shado!& her ghastl% countenance !ould& e$en to the most casualglance& ha$e (etra%ed a certain guilt% horror& #or no! she 0)ne!0 that she had #ound and gi$ena!a% !hat she ought at once to ha$e handed (ac) to its right#ul o!ner. It !as true he did note$en )no! that he had lost it& and could ha$e no sus"icion that she had #ound it+ (ut !hatdi##erence did or could that ma)e It !as true also that she had neither ta)en nor (esto!ed it toher o!n ad$antage+ (ut again& !hat di##erence could that ma)e in her dut% to restore it Did shenot !ell remem(er ho! elo,uentl% and "recisel% Mr. <enned% had& the $er% last 9unda%&e2"ounded the "assage& -Thou shalt not res"ect the "erson o# the "oor.- ight !as right&!hate$er so#thearted "eo"le might sa% or thin). An%one might gi$e !hat !as his o!n& (ut !hocould (e right in gi$ing a!a% !hat !as another4s It !as time she had done it !ithout thin)ing+ (ut she had )no!n& or might ha$e )no!n& !ell enough that to !homsoe$er it might (elong& it!as not hers. And no! !hat "ossi(ilit% !as there o# setting right !hat she had set !rong It !as ?ust "ossi(le a da% might come !hen she should (e a(le to restore !hat she had un?ustl% ta)en& (ut at the "resent moment it !as as im"ossi(le #or her to la% her hand u"on a "oundnote as u"ona million. And& terri(le thought@she might ha$e to enter the "resence o# her #atherdead& mencalled him& (ut ali$e she )ne! him!ith the consciousness that she had not (rought him (ac)the honor he had le#t !ith her.

It !ill& o# course& suggest itsel# to e$er% reader that herein she !as dri$ing her sense o# o(ligationto the $erge o# #oolishness+ and& indeed& the thought did not #ail to occur e$en to hersel#+ (ut theans!er o# the sel#accusing s"irit !as that had she (een thoroughl% u"right in heart& she !ould atonce ha$e gone to the nearest house and made such in,uir% as must instantl% ha$e resulted in thedisco$er% o# !hat had ha""ened. This she had omitted!ithout thought& it is true& (ut not&there#ore& !ithout (lame+ and no!& so #ar as she could tell& she !ould ne$er (e a(le to ma)erestitution@ *ad she e$en told her mother !hat (e#allen her& her mother might ha$e thought o#the !a% in !hich it had come to "ass& and set her #eet in the "ath o# her dut%@ 'ut she had madee$il haste& and had com"assed too much.



9he #ound hersel#& in truth& in a sore "redicament& and !as on the "oint o# starting to her #eet torun and con#ess to Mr. Macintosh !hat she had done& that he might at once "ronounce the "enalt% on !hat she ne$er dou(ted he must regard as a case o# sim"le the#t+ (ut she (ethoughthersel# that she !ould remain inca"a(le o# o##ering the least satis#action& and must there#ore (e

regarded merel% as one !ho sought (% con#ession to secure #orgi$eness and remission. /hat "roo# had she to o##er e$en that she had gi$en the mone% a!a% To mention the name o# her#riend !ould (e to (ring her into discredit& and trans#er to her the (lame o# her o!n act. There!as nothing she could doand %et& ho!e$er !as she to go a(out !ith such a load u"on herconscience Con#essing& she might at least (e regarded as one !ho desired and meant to (ehonest. Con#ession !ould& an%ho!& ease the !eight o# her load. 3assi$el% at last& #rom $er%!eariness o# thought& her mind !as (ut going (ac)!ard and #or!ard o$er its o!n traces&heedlessl% o(literating them& !hen suddenl% a ne! and horrid consciousness emerged #rom thetrodden slime that she !as glad that at least 9o"h% 0had0 the mone%@ For one "assing momentshe !as glad !ith the ?o% o# ;ad% Mac(eth& that !hat !as done !as done& and could not (ealtered. Then once more the storm !ithin her a!o)e and !ould not again (e stilled.

'ut no! a third something ha""ened !hich (rought !ith it ho"e& #or it suggested a !a% o#deli$erance. Im"elled (% the same "o!er that causes a murderer to haunt the scene o# his$iolence& she le#t the house& and !as una!are !hither she !as directing her ste"s until she #oundhersel# again "assing the door o# the (an)er4s house+ there& in that same )itchen!indo!& on ale$el !ith the "a$ement& she es"ied& in large "endra!n "rint& the "roduction a""arentl% o# thecoo) or another o# the ser$ants& the announcement that a "arlormaid !as !anted immediatel%.Again !ithout !aiting to thin)& and onl% a#ter!ards !a)ing u" to the #act and meaning o# !hatshe had done& she turned& !ent (ac) to the entr%door& and )noc)ed. It !as almost suddenl%o"ened (% the coo)& and at once the storm o# her miser% !as assuaged in a rising moon o# ho"e&and the night (ecame light a(out her. Ah& through !hat miseries are not e$en #rail ho"es our (estand sa#est& our onl% 0true0 guides indeed& into other and %et #airer ho"es@

-Did %ou !ant to see the mistress- as)ed the ?oll%#aced coo)& !here she stood on the other sideo# the threshold+ and& !ithout !aiting an ans!er& she turned and led the !a% to the "arlor. Annie#ollo!ed& as i# across the #oundation o# the #allen !all o# ericho+ and #ound& to her sur"rise& thatMrs. Macintosh& )no!ing her (% sight& recei$ed her !ith condescension& and Annie& grate#ul #orthe goodhumor !hich she too) #or )indness& told her sim"l% that she had come to see !hethershe !ould acce"t her ser$ices as "arlormaid.

Mrs. Macintosh seemed sur"rised at the "ro"osal& and as)ed her the natural ,uestion !hether shehad e$er occu"ied a similar situation.

Annie ans!ered she had not& (ut that at home& !hile her #ather !as ali$e& she had done so mucho# the same sort that she (elie$ed she could s"eedil% learn all that !as necessar%.

-I thought someone told me&- said the lad%& !ho !as one o# the greatest gossi"s in the to!n&-that %ou !ere one o# the teachers in the *igh 9chool-



-That is true&- ans!ered Annie+ -I !as doing so u"on "ro(ation+ (ut I had not %et (egun torecei$e an% salar% #or it. I !as onl% a sort o# a""rentice to the !or)& and under no engagement.-

Mrs. Macintosh& a#ter regarding Annie #or some time& and ta)ing silent o(ser$ation o# hermodest% and good(reeding& said at last:

-I li)e the loo) o# %ou& Miss& Miss-

-M% name is Annie Mel$ille.-

-/ell& Annie& I con#ess I do not indeed 0see0 an%thing "articularl% unsuita(le in %ou& (ut at thesame time I cannot hel" #earing %ou ma% (eor& I should sa% rather& ma% imagine %oursel#su"erior to !hat ma% (e re,uired o# %ou.-

-h& no& ma4am@- ans!ered Annie+ -I assure %ou I am too "oor to thin) o# an% such thing@Indeed& I am so an2ious to ma)e mone% at once that& i# %ou !ould consent to gi$e me a trial& I

should (e read% to come to %ou this $er% e$ening.-

-Bou !ill ha$e no !ages (e#ore the end o# %our si2 months.-

-I understand& ma4am.-

-It is a ris) to ta)e %ou !ithout a character.-

-I am $er% sorr%& ma4am+ (ut I ha$e no one that can $ouch #or mee2ce"t& indeed& Mrs. 9later& o#the *igh 9chool& !ould sa% a !ord in m% #a$or.-

-/ell& !ell@- ans!ered Mrs. Macintosh& -I am so #ar "leased !ith %ou that I do not thin) I can (ema)ing a 0great0 mista)e i# I merel% gi$e %ou a trial. Bou ma% come tonight& i# %ou li)ethat is&!ith %our mother4s "ermission.-

Annie ran home greatl% relie$ed& and told her mother !hat a "iece o# good#ortune she had had.Mrs. Mel$ille did not at all ta)e to the idea at #irst& #or she cherished unde#ined e2"ections #orAnnie& and )ne! that her #ather had done so also& #or the girl !as al!a%s reading& and had (een#or %ears in the ha(it o# reading aloud to him& ma)ing no! and then a remar) that sho!ed sheunderstood !ell !hat she read. 9o the mother too) com#ort in her disa""ointment that her childhad& solel% #or her sa)e& she su""osed& (eta)en hersel# to such ser$ice as !ould at once secureher li$elihood and (ring her in a little mone%& #or& !ith the shado! o# coming !ant gro!ing (lac) a(o$e them& e$en her #irst hal#%ear4s !ages !as a "oint o# ho"e and e2"ectation.

-/ell& Annie&- she ans!ered& a#ter a #e! moments4 consideration& -it is (ut #or a time+ and %ou!ill (e a(le to gi$e u" the "lace as soon as %ou "lease& and the easier that she onl% ta)es %ou ontrial+ that !ill hold #or %ou as !ell as #or her.-

'ut nothing !as #arther #rom Annie4s intention than #inding the "lace !ould not suit her: nochange could she dream o# (e#ore at least she had a "oundnote in her hand& !hen at once she



!ould ma)e it clear to her mother !hat a terri(le scare had dri$en her to the sudden ste" she hadta)en. =ntil then she must go a(out !ith her !hole head sic) and her !hole heart #aint+ neithercould she #or man% !ee)s rid hersel# o# the haunting notion that the (an)er& !ho !as chie#l%a##ected (% her crime&#or as such she #ull% (elie$ed and regarded her deed&!as #ull% a!are o#her guilt. It seemed to her& !hen at an% moment he ha""ened to loo) at her& that no! at last he

must (e on the "oint o# letting her )no! that he had read the truth in her guilt% loo)s& and sheconstantl% #ancied him sa%ing to himsel#& -That is the girl !ho stole m% mone%+ she #eels m%e%es u"on her.- $er% time she came home #rom an errand she !ould imagine her master loo)ing#rom the !indo! o# his "ri$ate room on the #irst #loor& in readiness to cast aside #or(earance anddenounce her: he !as onl% !aiting to ma)e himsel# one shade surer@ Ah& ho! long !as the timeshe had to a!ait her cleansing& the moment !hen she could go to him and sa%& -I ha$e !ronged& Iha$e ro((ed %ou+ here is all I can do to sho! m% re"entance. All this time I ha$e (een (ut!aiting #or m% !ages& to re"a% !hat I had ta)en #rom %ou.- And& oddl% enough& she !as al!a%smi2ing hersel# u" !ith the man in the "ara(le& !ho had recei$ed #rom his master a "ound totrade !ith and ma)e more+ #rom her dreams she !ould !a)e in terror at the sound o# thatmaster4s $oice& ordering the "ound to (e ta)en #rom her and gi$en to the school#ello! !hom& at

the cost o# her o!n honest%& she had (e#riended. h& ?o%ous da% !hen the doom should (e li#ted#rom her& and she set #ree& to dream no more@ For surel%& !hen at length her master )ne! all&!ith the de"th o# her sorro! and re"entance& he could not re#use his #orgi$eness@ /ould he note$en& she dared to ho"e& remit the interest due on his mone%o# !hich she entertained& in herignorance& a usurious and "re"osterous idea.

The da%s !ent on& and the hour o# her deli$erance dre! nigh. 'ut& long (e#ore it came& t!o other "rocesses had (een slo!l% arri$ing at maturit%. 9he had (een gaining the con#idence o# hermistress& so that& ere three months !ere o$er& the arrangement o# all minor matters o#house)ee"ing !as entirel% in her hands. It ma% (e that Mrs. Macintosh !as not a little la5%& norsorr% to lea$e aside !hate$er did not "ositi$el% demand her "ersonal attention+ one thing I amsure o#& that Annie ne$er made the smallest attem"t to gain this #a$or& i# such it !as. *er mistress!ould& #or instance& )ee" losing the )e%s o# the cellaret& until in des"air she at last %ielded thementirel% to the care o# Annie& !ho therea#ter carried them in her "oc)et& !here the% !ere al!a%sat hand !hen !anted.

The other result !as e,uall% natural& (ut o# greater im"ortance+ *ector& the onl% child o# thehouse& !as graduall% and& #or a long time& unconsciousl% #alling in lo$e !ith Annie. Those#riends o# the #amil% !ho li)ed Annie& and #elt the charm o# her manners and sim"licit%& saidonl% that his mother had hersel# to (lame& #or !hat else could she e2"ect thers o# them&regarding her #rom the same "oint o# $ie! as her mistress& re"udiated the notion as a(surd&sa%ing *ector !as not the man to degrade himsel#@ *e !as inca"a(le o# such a misalliance.

'ut& as I ha$e said alread%& *ector& although he had ne$er %et (een in lo$e& !as %et more thanusuall% read% to #all in lo$e& as (elongs to the "oetic tem"erament& !hen the #it "erson shoulda""ear. As to !hat sort she might "ro$e de"ended on t!o #acts in *ectorone& that he !as#astidious in the (est meaning o# the !ord& and the other that he !as dominated (% sound goodsense+ a #act !hich e$en his #ather allo!ed& although !ith a grudge& seeing he had hithertomani#ested no de$otion to (usiness& (ut s"ent his #ree time in literar% "ursuits. # the s"ecial



nature o# those "ursuits his #ather )ne!& or cared to )no!& nothing+ and as to his mother& she hadnot e$en a #a$orite h%mn.

I ma% sa%& then& that the lo$e o# !oman)ind& !hich in solution& so to s"ea)& "er$aded e$er%atomic interstice o# the nature o# *ector& had graduall%& indeed& (ut %et ra"idl%& concentrated and

cr%stalli5ed around the idea o# Anniethe more homogeneousl% and a(sor(ingl% that she !as the#irst !ho had so mo$ed him. It !as& indeed& in the case o# each a #irst lo$e& although in the caseo# neither lo$e at #irst sight.

Almost #rom the hour !hen #irst Annie entered the #amil%& *ector had loo)ed on her !ith e%es o# interest+ (ut& #or a time& she had gone a(out the house !ith a sense almost o# (eing there u"on#alse "retenses& #or she )ne! that she !as doing !hat she did #rom no regard to an% o# itsmem(ers& (ut onl% to gain the mone% !hose "a%ment !ould relie$e her #rom an e$er"resentconsciousness o# guilt+ and #or this cause& i# #or no other& she !as not in danger o# #alling in lo$e!ith *ector. 9he !as& indeed& too #ull o# $eneration #or her master and mistress& and #or their sonso immeasura(l% a(o$e her& to let her thoughts rest u"on him in an% (ut a distantl% !orshi"#ul

#ashion.

'ut it !as "art o# her dut%& !hich !as not o$er !ellde#ined in the house& to see that her %oungmaster4s room !as )e"t tid% and "ro"erl% dusted+ and in attending to this it !as una$oida(le thatshe should come u"on indications o# the !a% in !hich he s"ent his leisure hours. >e$erdreaming& indeed& that a ser$ant might recogni5e at a glance !hat his #ather and mother did notcare to )no!& *ector !as ne$er at an% "ains to conceal& or e$en to la% aside the lines %et !et#rom his "en !hen he le#t the room+ and Annie could not hel" seeing them& or )no!ing !hat the%!ere. ;i)e man% another 9cotch lassie& she !as #onder o# reading than o# an%thing else+ and inher #ather4s house she had had the #ree use o# !hat (oo)s !ere in it+ nor is it& then& to (e!ondered at that she !as #ar more #amiliar !ith certain great (oo)s than !as e$er man% an2#ord man. 9ome ne$er read !hat the% ha$e no desire to assimilate+ and some read !hat noe2"enditure o# reading could e$er ma)e them a(le to a""ro"riate+ (ut Annie read& understood&and reread the -3aradise ;ost-+ )ne! intimatel% -Comus- as !ell+ delighted in -;%cidas&- andhad some o# Milton4s sonnets (% heart+ !hile #or the *%mn on the >ati$it%& she )ne! e$er% line&had studied e$er% turn and "hrase in it. It is sometimes a great ad$antage not to ha$e man% (oo)s& and so ne$er outgro! the sense o# m%ster% that ho$ers a(out e$en an o"en (oo)case+ it!as !ith a!e and re$erence that Annie& loo)ing around *ector4s room& sa! in it& not daring totouch them& (oo)s she had heard o#& (ut ne$er seenamong others a 9ha)s"ere in one thic)$olume la% o"en on his ta(le+ nor is it& then& sur"rising that& !hen "utting his "a"ers straight& shecould not hel" seeing #rom the di##erent lengths o# the lines u"on them that the% !ere $erse. 9hetrem(led and glo!ed at the $er% sight o# them& #or she had in hersel# the instinct o# sacrednum(ers& and in her soul #elt a $ague hunger a#ter !hat might (e contained in those loose "a"ersinto !hich she did not e$en "ee"& instincti$el% )no!ing it dishonora(le. 9he trem(led%et more at recogni5ing the (eauti#ul %outh in the same house !ith her& to !hom she did ser$ice&as himsel# one o# those gi#ted creatures !hom most she re$ereda "oet& "erha"s another such asMilton@ >either are all ladies& nor all ser$ants o# ladies& honora(le li)e Annie& or #it as she to (ele#t alone !ith a man4s "a"ers.



*ector )ne! $er% !ell ho! his mother !ould regard such an alliance as had no! (egun toa(sor( e$er% desire and thought o# his heart& and !as the more care#ul to !atch and re"ress e$er%sign o# the same& #oreseeing that& at the least sus"icion o# the #act& she !ould la% all the (lameu"on Annie& at once dismiss her #rom the house& and remain #ore$er con$inced that she hadentered it !ith the design in her heart to ma)e him #all in lo$e !ith her. *e there#ore a$oided

e$er addressing her& e2ce"t !ith a distant ci$ilit%& the easier to him that his mind !as )no!n onl%to himsel#& !hile all the time the consciousness o# her "resence in it en$elo"ed the house in aros% cloud. For a long time he did not e$en dream o# attem"ting a !ord !ith her alone& #ondl%imagining that thus he ga$e his mother time to )no! and lo$e Annie (e#ore disco$ering an%thing (et!een them to !hich she might o(?ect. 'ut he did not %et )no! ho! inca"a(le that mother !aso# an% sim"le a##ection& (eing& indeed& one o# the commonestminded o# !omen. *e (elie$edalso that the least attem"t to attract Annie4s attention !ould (ut scare her& and ma)e her inca"a(leo# listening to !hat he might tr% to sa%.

In the meantime& Annie& under the in#luence o# more and (etter #ood& and that #reedom #rom care!hich came o# the consciousness that she !as doing her (est (oth #or her mother and #or her o!n

moral emanci"ation& loo)ed s!eeter and gre! ha""ier e$er% da%+ no cloud% sense& no dou(t o#a""roaching danger had %et (egun to hea$e an ugl% shoulder a(o$e her hori5on& neither had*ector (egun to #ret against the #eeling that he must not s"ea) to her+ in such a silence and insuch a "resence he #elt he could li$e ha""% #or ages+ he mo$ed in a lo$el% dream o# still content.

And it !as natural also that he should (egin to (urgeon s"irituall% and mentall%& to gro! and#lourish (e%ond an% e2"erience in the "ast. /ithin a #e! such da%s o# hidden ha""iness& the "o!er o# $erse& and o# thoughts !orth% o# $erse& came u"on him !ith as sure an ins"iration o#the Almight% as can e$er descend u"on a man& accom"anied (% a dee"er sense o# the (eing andthe "resence o# God& and a stronger desire to do the !ill o# the Father& !hich is surel% the (estthing God himsel# can )indle in the heart o# an% man. For !hat good is there in creation (ut the "ossi(ilit% o# (eing %et #urther created And !hat else is gro!th (ut more o# the !ill o# God

9omething #resh (egan to stir in his mind+ e$en as in the s"ring& a!a% in #ar de"ths o# (eginning&the sa" gi$es its #irst u"!ard thro( in the tree& and the #irst (ud& as %et in$isi(le& (egins to ?er)itsel# #or!ard to (rea) #rom the cerements o# antenatal ,uiescence& and (ecome a gro!ing lea#&so a something in *ector that !as his $er% li#e and soul (egan to %ield to unseen creati$eim"ulse& and thro( !ith a dim& di$ine consciousness. The second e$ening a#ter thus recogni5ingits "resence he hurried u" the stair #rom the o##ice to his o!n room& and there& sitting do!n& (egan to !ritenot a sonnet to his charmer& neither an% dream a(out her& not e$en some s!eetsong o# the !a)ing s"ring !hich he #elt mo$ing !ithin him& (ut the #irst s"eech o# a dramatic "oem. It !as a (old (eginning& (ut all (eginners are daring& i# not "resum"tuous. *ector4s aim!as to em(od% an ideal o# chec)& o# rousing& o# re$i$al& o# ne! energ% and #resh start. All thate$ening he !rote !ith running "en& #orgot the dinner(ell a#ter its #irst summons& and !ent onuntil Annie )noc)ed at his door& dis"atched to summon him to the meal. There !as in *ector&indeed& as a small "art o# the !orld came (%and(% to )no!& the ma)ing o# a real "oet& #or suchthere are in the !orld at all times%ea& e$en no!although the% ma% not (e recogni5ed& or e$enintended to ri"en in the course o# one human season. I thin) Annie hersel# !as one o# suchso#ull !as she o# rece"ti$e and res"onsi$e #acult% in the same )ind& and I remain in dou(t !hetherthe genuine en?o%ment o# $erse (e not a #uller sign o# the "resence o# !hat is most $alua(le in it



than e$en some "o!er o# "roducing it. For *ector& I imagine& it ga$e strong "roo# o# his (eing a "oet indeed that& !hen he o"ened the door to her )noc)& the a""earance o# Annie hersel#& insteado# gi$ing him a thrill o# "leasure& occasioned him a little anno%ance (% the e$anishment o# a ?ustculminating train o# thought into the $ast and seething $oid& into !hich he ga5ed a#ter it in $ain.And Annie hersel#& although all the time in *ector4s thought& re$ealed hersel# onl%& a#ter the

custom o# celestials& at the $er% moment o# her disa""earance+ her message deli$ered& she !ent (ac) to her duties at the ta(le+ and then #irst *ector !o)e to the )no!ledge that she had (een athis door& and !as there no more. During the last #e! da%s he had (een graduall% a""roaching theresol$e to )ee" silence no longer& (ut (e (old and tell Annie ho! #ull his heart !as o# her. nemoment he might ha$e done so+ one moment more& and he could not@

*e #ollo!ed close u"on her ste"s& (ut not a !ord !ith her !as "ossi(le& and it seemed to *ectorthat she s"ed #rom him li)e a $er% !raith to a$oid his addressing her. *ad she& then& he as)edhimsel#& some dim sus"icion o# his #eelings to!ard her& or !as she (ut ma)ing haste #rom a senseo# "ro"riet%

>o! that $er% morning Mrs. Macintosh had (een tal)ing )indl% to Annieas )indl%& that is& asher a(omina(le condescension !ould "ermitand& !hat to Annie !as o# #ar greater conse,uence&had "aid her her !ages& rather more than she had e2"ected& so that nothing no! la% (et!een herand the #all o# her (urden #rom her hea$%laden conscience& e2ce"t& indeed& her "reliminar%con#ession. Dinner& there#ore& (eing o$er& her mistress gone to the dra!ing room to "re"are theco##ee& and her master to his room to !rite a letter suddenl% remem(ered& *ector !as le#t alone!ith Annie. /hereu"on #ollo!ed an amusing succession o# disconnected attem"t and #rustration.For no sooner had Mr. Macintosh le#t the room than Annie darted #rom it a#ter him& and *ectordarted a#ter Annie& determined at length to s"ea) to her. /hen Annie& ho!e$er& reached the #ooto# the stair& her master !as alread% u" the #irst #light& and Annie4s courage #ailing her& she&turning shar"l% round& almost ran against *ector& !ho !as close (ehind her. The loo) o#disa""ointment on her #ace& to the meaning o# !hich he had no cle!& ,uenching his couragene2t& he returned in silence to the dining room& !here Annie !as no! ho$ering aimlessl% a(outthe ta(le& until& u"on his reentrance& she settled hersel# (ehind *ector4s chair. *e turned hal#round& and !ould ha$e said something to her& (ut& seeing her "ale and trou(led& he la"sed into a#it o# (rooding& and no longer dared s"ea) to her. 'esides& his mother might come to the diningroom at an% moment@

Then Annie& thin)ing she heard her master4s redescending ste"& hurried again #rom the room+ (utonl% at once to return a#resh& !hich set *ector !ondering %et more. /h% on earth should she (el%ing in am(ush #or his #ather *e did not )no! that she !as e,uall% an2ious to a$oid the e%eso# her mistress. And !hile Annie !as an2ious to )ee" her secret #rom the tongue o# Mrs.Macintosh& *ector !as as an2ious to )ee" his #rom the e%es o# his mother until a #it momentshould arri$e #or its disclosure. 'ut he imagined& I (elie$e& that Annie sa! he !anted to s"ea) toher& and thought she !as doing !hat she could to (al) his intention.

'ut the necessit% #or disclosure !as strongest in Annie& and dro$e her to encounter !hat ris)might (e in$ol$ed. 9o !hen at last she heard a certain ste" o# the stair crea)& she darted to thedoor& and le#t the room e$en !hile the hand o# her mistress& coming to sa% the co##ee !as read%&!as on that !hich communicated !ith the dra!ing room.



-I thought I heard Annie at the side(oard: is she gone- she said.

-9he le#t the room this moment& I (elie$e&- ans!ered *ector.

-/hat is she gone #or-

-I cannot sa%& mother&- re"lied *ector indi##erentl%& in the act himsel# o# lea$ing the room also&determined on %et another attem"t to s"ea) to Annie. In the meantime& ho!e$er& Annie had#ound her o""ortunit%. 9he had met Mr. Macintosh hal#!a% do!n the last #light o# stairs& and hadli#ted to him such a #ace o# entreat% that he listened at once to her "ra%er #or a "ri$ate inter$ie!&and& turning& led the !a% u" again to the room he had ?ust le#t. There he shut the door& and said toher "leasantl%:

-/ell& Annie& !hat is it-

I am a#raid his manimagination had led him to antici"ate some com"laint against *ector: hecertainl% !as no!ise "re"ared #or !hat the "oor sel#accusing girl had to sa%.

For one moment she stood una(le to (egin+ the ne2t she had reco$ered her resolution: her #ace#illed !ith a sudden glo!+ and ere her master had time to #eel shoc)ed& she !as on her )nees athis #eet& holding u" to him a ne! "oundnote& one o# those her mistress had ?ust gi$en her.Familiar& ho!e$er& as her master !as !ith the meanloo)ing things in !hich la% almost all hisdealings& he did not at #irst recogni5e the o(?ect she o##ered him+ !hile !hat connection !ith his!i#e4s "arlormaid it could re"resent !as naturall% inconcei$a(le to him. *e stood #or a momentstaring at the note& and then dro""ed a "air o# dull& ,uestioning e%es on the #ace o# the )neelinggirl. *e !as not a man o# ,uic) a""rehension& and the situation !as a""allingl% $oid o# hel"#ulsuggestion. To ma)e things %et more "er"le2ing& Annie so((ed as i# her heart !ould (rea)& and!as una(le to utter a !ord. -/hat must a stranger imagine&- the "oor man thought& -to comeu"on such a ta(leau- *er irre"ressi(le emotion lasted so long that he lost his "atience andturned u"on her& sa%ing:

-I must call %our mistress+ she !ill )no! !hat to do !ith %ou@- Instantl% she s"rang to her #eet&and (ro)e into "assionate entreat%.

-h& "lease& 0"lease0& sir& ha$e a minute4s "atience !ith me&- she cried+ -%ou ne$er sa! me (eha$e so (adl% (e#ore@-

-Certainl% not& Annie+ I ne$er did. And I ho"e %ou !ill ne$er do so again&- ans!ered her master&!ith re$i$ing goodnature& and !as (ac) in his #irst notion& that *ector had said something to her !hich she thought rude and did not li)e to re"eat. *e had ne$er had a daughter& and "erha"s allthe more #elt "iti#ul o$er the trou(led !omanchild at his #eet.

'ut& ha$ing once s"o)en out and con,uered the s"ell u"on her& Annie !as a(le to go on. 9he (ecame suddenl% ,uiet& and& interru"ted onl% (% an occasional so(& "oured out her !hole stor%& i# not ,uite un(ro)enl%& at least !ithout actual intermission& !hile her master stood and listened



!ithout a (rea) in his #i2ed attention. '%and(%& ho!e$er& a slo! smile (egan to da!n on hiscountenance& !hich s"read and s"read until at length he (urst into a laugh& none the less merr%that it !as lo! and e$identl% restrained lest it should (e o$erheard. ;i)e one suddenl% madeashamed& Annie rose to her #eet& (ut still held out the note to her master.

*o! !as it "ossi(le that her e$il deed should "ro$o)e her master to a #it o# laughter It might (eeas% #or him in his goodness to "ardon her& (ut ho! could he treat her o##ense as a thing o# noconse,uence /as it not a sin& !hich& li)e e$er% other sin& could no!ise at all (e cleansed Fore$en God himsel# could not (lot out the #act that she had done the deed@ And %et& there stood hermaster laughing@ And& !hat !as more dread#ul still& des"ite the resentment o# her conscience&her master4s merriment so #ar a##ected hersel# that she could not re"ress a res"onsi$e smile@ It!as no less than indecent& and %et& e$en in that ans!ering smile& her miser% o# si2 months4duration "assed totall% a!a%& melted #rom her li)e a mist o# the morning& so that she could note$en recall the #eeling o# her lost unha""iness. 'ut& might not her conscience (e going to slee"/as it not "ossi(le she might (e gro!ing indi##erent to right and !rong /as she not a!are inhersel# that there !ere "o!ers o# e$il a(out her& see)ing to lead her astra%& and "utting strange

and horrid things in her mind

'ut& although he laughed& her master uttered no articulate sound until she had ended herstatement& (% !hich time his amusement had changed to admiration. Another minute still "assed&ho!e$er& (e#ore he )ne! !hat ans!er to ma)e.

-'ut& m% good girl&- he (egan& -I do not see that %ou ha$e an%thing to (lame %oursel# #oratleast& not an%thing 0!orth0 (laming %oursel# a(out. A#ter so long a time& the mone% #ound !ascertainl% %our o!n& and %ou could do !hat %ou "leased !ith it.-

-'ut& sir& I did not !ait at all to see ho! it had ha""ened& or !hether it might not (e claimed. I (elie$e& indeed& that I hurried a!a% at once& lest an%one should )no! I had it. I ran to s"end it atonce& so #or !hate$er ha""ened a#ter!ard I !as to (lame. Then& !hen it !as too late& I learnedthat the mone% !as %ours@-

-/hat did %ou do !ith it& i# I ma% as)- said the master.

-I ga$e it to a school#ello! o# mine !ho had married a hel"less sort o# hus(and and !as in !anto# #ood.-

-I am a#raid %ou did not hel" them much (% that&- murmured the (an)er.

-3lease& sir& I )ne! no other !a% to hel" them+ and the mone% seemed to ha$e (een gi$en me #orthem. I soon came to )no! (etter& and ha$e (een sorr% e$er since. I )ne! that I had no right togi$e it a!a% as soon as I )ne! !hose it !as.-

9he ceased& (ut still held out the note to him.

Mr. Macintosh stood again silent& and made no mo$ement to!ard ta)ing it.



-3lease& sir& ta)e the mone%& and #orgi$e me&- "leaded Annie. -And "lease& sir& 0"lease0 do notsa% an%thing a(out it to an%(od%. $en m% mother does not )no!.-

->o! there %ou did !rong. Bou ought to ha$e told %our mother.-

-I see that no!& sir+ (ut I !as so glad to (e a(le to hel" the "oor creatures that I did not thin) o# ittill a#ter!ards.-

-I dare sa% %our mother !ould ha$e (een glad o# the mone% hersel#+ I understand she !as not le#t$er% !ell o##.-

-At that time I did not )no! she !as so "oor. 'ut no! that m% mistress has "aid me such good!ages& I am going to ta)e her e$er% "enn% o# them this $er% a#ternoon.-

-And then %ou !ill tell her& !ill %ou not-

-I shall not mind telling her !hen %ou ha$e ta)en it (ac). I !as a#raid to tell her (e#ore@ It !as to "a% %ou (ac) that I as)ed Mrs. Macintosh to ta)e me #or "arlormaid.-

-Then %ou !ere not in ser$ice (e#ore-

->o& sir. Bou see& m% mother thought I could earn m% (read in a !a% !e should (oth li)e (etter.-

-9o no! %ou !ill gi$e u" ser$ice and go (ac) to her-

-I am not sure& sir. It !ould (e long& I #ear& (e#ore the school !ould "a% me as !ell. Bou see& Iha$e m% #ood here too. And e$er%thing tells. 3lease& sir& ta)e the "ound.-

-M% dear girl&- said her master& -I could not thin) o# de"ri$ing %ou o# !hat %ou ha$e so !ellearned. It is more than enough to me that %ou !ant to re"a% it. I "ositi$el% cannot ta)e it.-

-Indeed& I do !ant to re"a% it& sir&- re?oined Annie. -It4s an%thing (ut !illing I shall (e 0not0 tore"a% it. Indeed& there is no other !a% to get m% soul #ree.-

*ere it seems time I should mention that *ector& !ear% o# !aiting Annie4s return& had le#t thedining room to loo) #or her+ and running u" the stair& not !ithout the dread o# hearing hismother4s #oot (ehind him& had slid so#tl% into his #ather4s room& to #ind Annie on her )nees (e#orehim& and hear enough to understand her stor% (e#ore either his #ather or she !as a!are o# his "resence.

-I (eg %our "ardon& sir& (ut indeed %ou must ta)e it&- urged Annie. -9urel% %ou !ould not (e socruel to a "oor girl !ho "ra%s %ou to ta)e the guilt o## her (ac). Don4t %ou see& sir& I ne$er canloo) m% #ather in the #ace till I ha$e "aid the mone% (ac)@-



*ere his #ather caught sight o# *ector& and& "ercei$ing that Annie had not %et seen him& and "ossi(l% glad o# a !itness& "ut u" his hand to him to )ee" still. -/here is %our #ather& then- heas)ed Annie.

-In hea$en some!here&- she ans!ered& -!aiting #or m% mother and me. h& #ather@- she (ro)e

out& -i# onl% %ou had (een ali$e %ou !ould soon ha$e got me out o# m% shame and miser%@ 'ut&than) God@ it !ill soon (e o$er no!+ m% master cannot re#use to set me #ree.-

-Certainl% I !ill set %ou #ree&- said Mr. Macintosh& a good deal touched. -/ith all m% heart I#orgi$e %ou thethethe de(t& and I than) %ou #or (ringing me to )no! the honestest girlImean& the most honora(le girl I ha$e e$er %et had the "leasure to meet.-

*ector had (een listening& hardl% a(le to contain his delight& and at these last !ords o# his #ather&li)e the (lundering idiot he !as& he rushed #or!ard& and& clas"ing Annie to his heart& cried out:

-Than) God& Annie& m% #ather at least )no!s !hat %ou are@-

*e met !ith a rough and astounding chec). Far too startled to see !ho it !as that thus em(racedher& and un"re"ared to recei$e such a salutation& least o# all #rom one she had hitherto regardedas the $er% "rince o# gentleness and courtes%& she met it !ith a sound& ringing (o2 on the ear&!hich literall% staggered *ector& and sent his #ather into a second "eal o# laughter& this time asloud as it !as merr%& and the ne2t moment s!elled in $olume (% that o# *ector himsel#.

-Than) %ou& Annie@- he cried. -I ne$er should ha$e thought %ou could hit so hard. 'ut& indeed& I (eg %our "ardon. I #orgot m%sel# and %ou too !hen I (eha$ed so (adl%. 'ut I4m not sorr%& #ather&a#ter all& #or that (o2 on the ear has got me o$er a di##icult tas)& and com"elled me to s"ea) out atonce !hat has (een long in m% mind& (ut !hich I had not the courage to sa%. Annie&- he !ent on&turning to her& and standing hum(l% (e#ore her& -I ha$e long lo$ed %ou+ i# %ou !ill do me thehonor to marr% me& I am %ours the moment %ou sa% so.-

'ut Annie4s sur"rise and the hast% act she had committed in the #irst im"ulse o# de#ense had soreacted u"on her in a !hite disma% that she stood (e#ore him s"eechless and almost read% todro". A!a)ening #rom !hat !as #ast gro!ing a mere dream o# o##ense to the assuredconsciousness o# another o##ense almost as #lagrant& she stared as i# she had suddenl% o"ened here%es on a !hole /al"urgisnacht o# demons and !itches& !hile *ector& reco$ering #rom hisastonishment to the li$el% delight o# ha$ing something to "retend at least to #orgi$e Annie& and%ielding to sudden Celtic im"ulse& )nelt at her #eet& sei5ed her hand& !hich she had no "o!er to!ithdra! #rom him& co$ered it !ith eager )isses and "laced it on his head. ;ittle more !ouldha$e made him cast himsel# "rone (e#ore her& li#t her #oot& and "lace it on his nec).

'ut his #ather (rought a little o# his common sense to the rescue.

-Tut& *ector@- he said+ -gi$e the lass time to come to her senses. /ould %ou !oo her li)e ara$ing maniac I don4t& indeed& !onder& a#ter !hat %ou heard her tell me& that %ou should ha$eta)en such a sudden #anc% to her+ (ut-



-Father&- interru"ted *ector& -it is no #anc%least o# all a sudden one@ I #ell in lo$e !ith Anniethe $er% #irst time I sa! her !aiting at ta(le. It is true I did not understand !hat had (e#allen me#or some time+ (ut I do& and I did #rom the #irst& and no! #ore$er I shall (oth lo$e and !orshi"Annie@-

-Mr. *ector&- said Annie& -it !as too (ad o# %ou to listen. I did not )no! an%one !as there (ut%our #ather. Bou !ere ne$er intended to hear+ and I did not thin) %ou !ould ha$e done such adishonora(le thing. It !as not li)e %ou& Mr. *ector@-

*o! !as I to )no! %ou had secrets !ith m% #ather& Annie Dishonora(le or not& the thing isdone& and I am glad o# ites"eciall% to ha$e heard !hat %ou had no intention o# telling me.-

-I could not ha$e (elie$ed it o# %ou& Mr. *ector@- "ersisted Annie.

-'ut& no! that I thin) o# it&- suggested Mr. Macintosh& -ma% not %our mother thin) she hassomething to sa% in the matter (et!een %ou-

This !as a thought alread% da!ning u"on her that terri#ied Annie+ she )ne!& indeed& "er#ectl%ho! his mother !ould regard *ector4s "ro"osal& and she dared not re#er the matter to herdecision.

-I must (e out o# the house #irst& Mr. *ector&- she saidand I thin) she meant-(e#ore I con#essm% lo$e.-

The im"ression Annie had made u"on her master ma% (e ?udged #rom the #act that he rose and!ent& lea$ing his son and the "arlormaid together.

/hat then "assed (et!een them I cannot narrate "recisel%. $er!helmed (% *ector4s a$o!al&and ,uite un"re"ared as she had (een #or it& it !as %et no un!elcome ne!s to Annie. Indeed& themoment he addressed her& she )ne! in her heart that she had (een lo$ing him #or a long time&though ne$er ac)no!ledging to hersel# the #act. 9uch must o#ten (e the case (et!een t!o !homGod has made #or each other. And although he !ere a (old man !ho said that marriages !eremade in hea$en& he !ere a (older !ho denied that lo$e at #irst sight !as ne$er there decreed. For !here God has #itted "ersons #or each other& !hat can the% do (ut #all mutuall% in lo$e /ho!ill then dare to sa% he did not decree that result As to !hat ma% #ollo! a#ter #rom their o!n (eha$ior& I !ould (e as #ar #rom sa%ing that !as 0not0 decreed as #rom sa%ing the conduct itsel# 0!as0 decreed. 9urel% there shall (e room le#t& e$en in the counsels o# God& #or as much li(ert%as (elongs to our (eing made in his image#ree li)e him to choose the good and re#use the e$il@*e !ho 0has0 chosen the good remains in the la! o# li(ert%& #ree to choose right again. *e !hoal!a%s chooses the right& !ill at length (e #ree to choose li)e God himsel#& #or then shall his !illitsel# (e #ree. Freedom to choose and #reedom o# the !ill are t!o di##erent conditions.

'e#ore the lo$ers& !hich it !anted no moment to ma)e them& le#t the room& the% had agreed thatAnnie must at once lea$e the house. *ector too) her to her mother4s door& and !hen he returnedhe #ound that his #ather and mother had retired. 'ut it ma% (e !ell that I should tell a little moreo# !hat had "assed (et!een the lo$ers (e#ore the% "arted.



Annie4s #irst thought !hen the% !ere le#t together !as& -Alas@ !hat !ill m% mistress sa% 9hemust thin) the !orst "ossi(le o# me@-

-h& *ector@- she (ro)e out& -!hate$er !ill %our mother thin) o# me-

->o good& I4m a#raid&- ans!ered *ector honestl%. -'ut that is hardl% !hat !e ha$e to thin) o# atthis "recise moment.-

-Ta)e (ac) !hat %ou said@- cried Annie+ -I !ill "romise %ou ne$er to thin) o# it againat least& I!ill 0tr%0 ne$er once to do so. It must ha$e (een all m% #aultthough I do not )no! ho!& andne$er dreamed it !as coming. 3erha"s I shall #ind out& !hen I thin) o$er it& !here I !as to (lame.-

-I ha$e no dou(t %ou are ca"a(le o# in$enting a hundred reasonsa#ter hearing %our a!#ul guilt%con#ession to m% #ather& %ou little innocent@- ans!ered *ector.

And the ice thus (ro)en& things !ent on a good deal (etter& and the% came to tal) #reel%.

-# course&- said *ector& -I am not so sill% or so !ic)ed as to tr% to "ersuade %ou that m% mother !ill o"en her arms to %ou. 9he )no!s neither %ou nor hersel#.-

-/ill she (e terri(l% angr%- said Annie& !ith a #ore(oding ,ua$er in her $oice.

-ather& I am a#raid&- allo!ed *ector.

-Then don4t %ou thin) !e had (etter gi$e it u" at once-

->e$er #ore$er@- cried *ector. -That is not !hat I #ell in lo$e !ith %ou #or@ I !ill not gi$e %ou u"e$en #or Death himsel#@ *e is not the ruler o# our !orld. >o lo$er is !orth% o# the name !hodoes not de#% Death and all his !or)s@-

-I am not a#raid o# him& *ector. I& too& am read% to de#% him. 'ut is it right to de#% %our mother-

-It is& !hen she !ants one to (e #alse and dishonora(le. For hersel#& I !ill tr% to honor her asmuch as she lea$es "ossi(le to me. 'ut m% mother is not m% "arents.-

-h& "lease& *ector& don4t ,ui((le. Bou !ould ma)e me dou(t %ou@-

-/ell& !e !on4t argue a(out it. ;et us !ait to hear !hat 0%our0 mother !ill sa% to it tomorro!&!hen I come to see %ou.-

-Bou reall% !ill come *o! "leased m% mother !ill (e@-

-/h%& !hat else should I do I thought %ou !ere ?ust tal)ing o# the honor !e o!e to our "arents@Bour mother is mine too.-



-I !as thin)ing o# %ours then.-

-/ell& I dare sa% I shall ha$e a tal) !ith 0m%0 mother #irst& (ut !hat 0%our0 mother !ill thin) iso# #ar more conse,uence to me. I )no! onl% too !ell !hat m% mother !ill sa%+ (ut %ou must not

ta)e that too much to heart. 9he has al!a%s had some girl or other in her mind #or me+ (ut i# aman has an% rights& surel% the strongest o# all is the right to choose #or himsel# the girl to marr%i# she !ill let him.-

-3erha"s his mother !ould choose (etter.-

-3erha"s %ou do not )no!& Annie& that I am #i$eandt!ent% %ears o# age: i# I ha$e no right %et to ?udge #or m%sel#& "ra% !hen do %ou su""ose I shall-

-It4s not the right I4m thin)ing o#& (ut the e2"erience.-

-Ah& I see@ Bou !ant me to #all in lo$e !ith a score o# !omen #irst& so that I ma% ha$e a chanceo# choosing. eall%& Annie& I had not thought %ou !ould count that a great ad$antage. For m% "art& I ha$e ne$er once (een in lo$e (ut !ith %ou& and I con#ess to a #anc% that that might almost "ro$e a recommendation to %ou. 'ut I su""ose %ou !ill at least allo! it desira(le that a manshould lo$e the girl he marries I# m% "re#erence #or %ou (e a mere (o%ish #anc%& as "ro(a(l% m%mother is at this moment tr%ing to "ersuade m% #ather& at !hat age do %ou su""ose it !ill "leaseGod to gi$e me the heart o# a man M% mother is sure to "re#er some(od% not #it to stand in %our dingiest cotton #roc). An%(od% (ut %ou #or m% !i#e is a thing unthin)a(le. God !ould ne$erdegrade me to an% choice o# m% mother4s@ *e )no!s %ou #or the $er% (est !oman I shall e$erha$e the chance o# marr%ing. 9hall I tell %ou the sort o# !oman m% mother !ould li)e me tomarr% h& I )no! the sort@ First& she must (e tall and handsome& !ith red& #ashiona(le hair& andcool& o##hand manners. 9he must ne$er loo) sh% or "ut out& or as i# she did not )no! !hat to sa%.n the contrar%& she must )no! !ho4s !ho& and !hat4s !hat& and ne$er !ear a do!d% (onnet& (ut al!a%s a stunning hat. And she must ha$e a #ather !ho can gi$e her something handsome!hen she is married. That4s m% mother4s girl #or me. I can4t (ear to loo) such a girl in the #ace@9he ma)es me ashamed o# m%sel# and o# her. The sort I !ant is one that gro!s "rettier and "rettier the more %ou lo$e and trust her& and al!a%s loo)s (est !hen she is (usiest doingsomething #or some(od%. Bes& she has (lac) hair& (lac) as the night+ and %ou see the !hiteness o# her #ace in the dar)est night. And her e%es& the% are (lue& oh& as (lue as (its o# the $er% s)% atmidnight@ and the% shine and #lash so?ust li)e %ours& and no(od% else4s& m% darling.-

'ut here the% heard #ootste"s on the stairthose o# Mrs. Macintosh& hurr%ing u" to sur"rise them.The% guessed that her hus(and had ?ust le#t her& and that she !as in a !ild #ur%+ simultaneousl%the% rose and #led. *ector !ould ha$e led the !a% ,uietl% out (% the #ront door+ (ut Annieturning the other !a% to "ass through the )itchen& *ector at once turned and #ollo!ed her. 'ut hehad hardl% got u" !ith her (e#ore she !as sa#e in her mother4s house& and the door shut (ehindthem. There *ector (ade her goodnight& and& hastening home& #ound all the lights out& and heardhis #ather and mother tal)ing in their o!n room+ (ut !hat the% said he ne$er )ne!.

The ne2t morning Annie had hardl% done dressing !hen she heard a )noc) at the streetdoor.



-That4ll (e *ector& mother&- she said. -I4m thin)ing he4ll (e come to ha$e a !ord !ith %ou.-

-Annie@- e2claimed her mother& in re(u)e o# the li(ert% she too). -'ut i# %ou mean %oung Mr.Macintosh& !hat on earth can he !ant !ith me-

-'ide a minute& mother&- ans!ered Annie& -and he4ll tell %ou himsel#.-

9o Mrs. Mel$ille !ent to the door and o"ened it to the %oung man& !ho stood there sh% ande2"ectant.

-Mrs. Mel$ille&- he said& -I ha$e come to tell %ou that I lo$e %our Annie& and !ant to ma)e her 0m%0 Annie as !ell. I am more sorr% than I can tell %ou to con#ess that I am not a(le to marr% atonce& (ut "lease !ait a little !hile #or me. I shall do m% (est to ta)e %ou (oth home !ith me assoon as "ossi(le.-

9he loo)ed #or a moment silentl% in his #ace& then& thro!ing her arms round his nec)& ans!ered:

-And I !onder !ho !ouldn4t (e glad to !ait #or %our s!eet #ace to the $er% Da% o# udgment&sir& !hen all must ha$e their o!n at last.-

There!ith she (urst into tears& and& turning& led the !a% to the "arlor.

-*ere4s %our *ector& Annie&- she said as she o"ened the door. -Ta)e him& and ma)e much o# him&#or I4m sure he deser$es it.-

Then she dre! him hastil% into the room& and closed the door.

-Bou see&- *ector !ent on& -I must let %ou (oth )no! that m% mother is dead against m% ha$ingAnnie. 9he thin)s& o# course& that I might do (etter+ (ut I )no! she is onl% #ar too good #or me&and that I shall (e a #ortunate as !ell as ha""% man the da% !e come together. 9he has alread% "ro$ed hersel# as true a !oman as e$er God made.-

-9he is that& sir& as I )no! and can testi#%& !ho ha$e )no!n her longer than an%(od% else. 'ut sit%ou do!n and lo$e each other& and ne$er mind me+ I4ll not (e a (urden to %ou as long as I can li#ta hand to earn m% o!n (read. And !hen I4m old and "ast !or)& I4ll not (e too "roud to ta)e!hate$er %ou can s"are me& and eat it !ith than)#ulness.-

9o the% sat do!n& and !ere soon ma)ing merr% together.

'ut nothing could reconcile Mrs. Macintosh to the thought o# Annie #or her daughterinla!+ her "ride& indignation& and disa""ointment !ere much too great& and the% sho!ed themsel$es the!orse that her hus(and !ould not sa% a !ord against either Annie or *ector& !ho& he insisted&had (eha$ed $er% !ell. *e !ould not go a ste" (e%ond con#essing that the thing !as notaltogether as he could ha$e !ished& (ut u"held that it contained ground #or satis#action. In $ainhe called to his !i#e4s mind the #act that neither she nor he !ere (% (irth or earl% "osition so



immeasura(l% a(o$e Annie. >othing !as o# an% use to calm her+ nothing !ould "ersuade herthat Annie had not sought their ser$ice !ith the e2"ress "ur"ose o# carr%ing a!a% her son. *er (eha$ior "ro$ed& indeed& that Annie had done "rudentl% in going at once home to her mother&!here "resentl% her late mistress sought and #ound her+ acting ro%all% the "art o# one righteousl%outraged in her dearest dignit%. *er !orst enem% could ha$e desired #or her nothing more

degrading than to see and hear her. 9he insisted that *ector should a(?ure Annie& or lea$e thehouse. *ector laid the matter (e#ore his #ather. *e encouraged him to humor his mother as muchas he could& and linger on& not going e$er% night to see the girl& in the ho"e that time might !or)some change. 'ut the time "assed in (itter re"roaches on the "art o# the mother& ande2"ostulations on the "art o# the son& and there a""eared no sign o# the amelioration the #atherhad ho"ed #or. The #act !as that Mrs. Macintosh4s natural $ulgarit% had (een so "am"ered (%!hat she regarded as !ealth& and she had gro!n so "u##ed u"& that her $er% "erson seemed tohold the door !ide #or the de$il. For sel#im"ortance is "erha"s a %et dee"er root o# all e$il thane$en the lo$e o# mone%. An% dee"& honest a##ection might ha$e made it too hot #or the de$il& (utin her heart there !as little room #or such a lo$e. 9he seemed to (elie$e in nothing (ut mode and#ashion& to care #or nothing (ut !hat she called -the thing.- 9he gre! in sel#(ul)& and gathered

more and more !eight in her o!n esteem: she !ore %et sho!ier and more $ulgar clothes& andactuall% culti$ated a slang that soon (ade #are!ell to delicac%& so that she san) and she san)& andshe ate and she dran)& until at last she im"ressed her goodnatured clerg%man himsel# as one (uta $er% little a(o$e the (easts that "erishi#& indeed& she !as in an% res"ect e,ual to a good&conscientious dog@ 9he retained& ho!e$er& this much res"ect #or her son& #or !hich that son ga$eher little than)s& that (%and(% she limited hersel# to e2"ending all her contem"t u"on Annie&and to!ard *ector settled into a dogged silence& !here u"on he& #inding it im"ossi(le to ma)ean% "rogress to!ard an understanding !here he could not e$en get a re"l%& at last ga$e u" theattem"t and (ecame as silent as she.

To "oor Annie it !as a terri(le thought that she should thus ha$e come (et!een mother and son+ (ut she remem(ered that she had read o# mothers !ho !ithout cause had e$en hated their o!n#lesh& and ho! much the more might not she !ho )ne! her am(itions and designs so utterl%o""osed to the desires o# her son

And thereu"on all at once a!o)e in Annie the motherhood that lies dee"est o# all in the heart o#e$er% good !oman& ma)ing her )no! in hersel# that& his mother ha$ing #orsa)en him& she had nochoice (ut ta)e him u" and (e to him hence#or!ard (oth !i#e and mother. /hat remains o# m%stor% !ill "erha"s ser$e to sho! ho! #ar she succeeded in #ul#illing this her $o!.

At last Mr. Macintosh sa! that things could not thus continue& and that he had (etter acce"t ano##er made him some time (e#ore (% a ;ondon corres"ondentto ta)e *ector into his (an)inghouse and gi$e him the o""ortunit% o# !idening his e2"erience and )no!ledge o# (usiness+ and*ector& on his "art& !as eager to acce"t the "ro"osal. The salar% o##ered #or his ser$ices !ascertainl% not a $er% li(eral one& (ut the chie# attraction !as that the hours !ere e$en shorter thanthe% had (een !ith his #ather& and !ould %et enlarge his li(ert% o# an e$ening. *ector4s delights&as !e ha$e seen& had al!a%s lain in literature& and in that direction the la(or in him naturall%sought an outlet. >o! there seemed a "romise o# his (eing a(le to "ursue it %et more de$otedl%than (e#ore: !ho could tell (ut he might ere long "roduce something that "eo"le might care toread 9ome "u(lisher might e$en care to "ut it in "rint& and "eo"le might care to (u% it@ That



!ould start him in a more genuine !a% o# li$ing& and he might the sooner (e a(le to marr%Anniean as"iration surel% legitimate and not too am(itious. *e had had a good education& andconsidered himsel# to (e a(l% e,ui""ed. It !as true he had not (een to either 2#ord orCam(ridge& (ut he had en?o%ed the ad$antages "ossessed (% a 9cotch uni$ersit% e$en o$er annglish one& consisting mainl% in the #reedom o# an unham"ered de$elo"ment. 9ince then he had

read largel%& and had culti$ated naturall% !ide s%m"athies. As his $ehicle #or utterance& !e ha$ealread% seen that he had a great attraction to $erse& and had long held and argued that the (esttraining #or e##ecti$e "rose !as e2ercise in the #etters o# $ersea con$iction in !hich he hadli$ed long enough to con#irm himsel#& and "erha"s one or t!o (esides.

*is relations !ith his mother& and conse,uent im"ediments to seeing Annie& too) a!a% the stingo# ha$ing to "art !ith her #or a!hile+ and& !hen he #inall% closed !ith the o##er& she at onceresumed her a""lication #or a "lace in the *igh 9chool& and !as soon acce"ted& #or there !erenot a #e! in the to!n ca"a(le o# doing ?ustice to her #itness #or the o##ice+ so that no! she had the ?o% not merel% o# (eing a(le to li$e !ith her mother as (e#ore& and o# contri(uting to her income& (ut o# )no!ing at the same time that she li$ed in a li)e atmos"here !ith *ector& !here her

gro!th in the )no!ledge o# literature& and her e2"erience in the !orld o# thought& !ould (egraduall% #itting her #or a com"anion to him !hom she continued to regard as so much a(o$eher. *er mar)ed rece"ti$it% in the matter o# $erse& and her intrinsic discrimination o# nature andcharacter in it& (ecame in her& at length& as the% gre!& sustaining #orces& enlarging her "o!ers (oth o# s%m"ath% and ?udgment& so that soon she came to #eel& in reading certain o# the (est!riters& as i# she and *ector !ere loo)ing o$er the same (oo) together& reading and "ondering itas one& simultaneousl% seeing !hat the !riter meant and #elt and !ould ha$e them see and #eel.9o that& (% the ne! inter$ention o# s"ace& the% !ere in no sense or degree se"arated& (ut rather (rought (% it actuall%& that is& s"irituall%& nearer to each other. Also *ector !rote to her regularl%on a certain da% o# e$er% !ee)& and $er% rarel% disa""ointed her o# her e2"ected letter& in !hichhe uttered his thoughts and #eelings more #reel% than he had e$er (een a(le to do in con$ersation.This also !as a gain to her& #or thus she !ent on to )no! him (etter and (etter& rising ra"idl%nearer to his le$el o# intellectual de$elo"ment& !hile alread% she !as more than his e,ual in themoral de$elo"ment !hich lies at the root o# all ca"acit% #or intellectual gro!th. 9o Annie gre!&as surel%!ithout irre$erence I ma% sa%in #a$or (oth !ith God and man+ #or at the same timeshe gre! constantl% in that lo$eliest o# all thingshumanit%.

>or !as *ector le#t !ithout similar consolation in his li#e& although "assed a"art #rom Annie.For& not to mention the gro!ing "leasure that he deri$ed #rom "oring o$er Annie4s childli)elettersand here I !ould (eg m% reader to note the essential distinction (et!i2t childish andchildli)e#ull o# the )eenest "erce"tions and the ha""iest "hrases& he had soon come to ma)e theac,uaintance o# a )indred s"irit& a man !hom& indeed& it too) a long time reall% to )no!& (ut!ho& (eing #rom the #irst attracted to him& !as soon running do!n the inclined "lane o#ac,uaintanceshi" !ith ra"idl% increasing $elocit% to!ard something #ar (etter than mereac,uaintance: nor !as there an% chec) in their stead% a""roach to a thorough )no!ledge o# eachother. *e !as a slightl% older man& !ith a greater e2"erience o# men& and a good deal !iderrange o# interests& as could hardl% #ail to (e the case !ith a ;ondoner. 'ut the sur"rising thing to (oth o# them !as that the% had so man% #eelings in common& gi$ing rise to man% ?udgments and "re#erences also in common+ so that *ector had no! a com"anion in !hom to #ind the s%m"ath%necessar% to the ri"ening o# his taste in such a delicate "ursuit as that o# $erse+ and their



"rocli$ities (eing ali)e& the% ran together li)e t!o dro"s on a "ane o# glass+ !hence it came thatat length& in the con#ident e2"ectation o# understanding and s%m"ath%& *ector #ound himsel#su(mitting to his #riend4s ?udgment the "oem he had "roduced !hen #irst gro!n a!are that he!as in lo$e !ith Annie Mel$ille+ although such !as his sensiti$eness in the matter o# his o!n "roductions that hitherto he had not %et $entured on the e2"eriment !ith Annie hersel#.

*is ne! #riend read& !as delighted+ read again& and s"o)e out his "leasure+ and then #irst *ector)ne! the "o!er o# s%m"ath% to dou(le the consciousness o# one4s o!n #acult%. *e too) u" againthe !or) he had loo)ed u"on as #inished& and !ent o$er it a#resh !ith !ider e%es& )eener ?udgment& and clearer "ur"ose+ !hen the result !as that& through the criticisms "assed u"on it (%his #riend& and the re#lection o# the "oem a#resh in his o!n ,uestioning mind& he #ound man%things that had to (e reconsidered+ a#ter !hich he committed the manuscri"t& care#ull% and $er%legi(l% re!ritten& once more to his #riend& !ho& ha$ing read it %et again& !as more thoroughl% "leased !ith it than (e#ore& and "ro"osed to *ector to sho! it to another #riend to !hom the earo# a certain "u(lisher la% o"en. The #a$ora(le ?udgment o# this second #riend !as "atientl%listened to (% the "u(lisher& and his "romise gi$en that the manuscri"t should recei$e all "ro"er

attention.

n this "art o# m% stor% there is no occasion to linger+ #or& strange thing to tell&strange& I mean&#rom the unli)elihood o# its ha""ening&the "oem #ound the s%m"athetic s"ot in the heart o# the "u(lisher& !ho had ha""il% not delegated the tas) to his reader& (ut read it himsel#+ and he made*ector the li(eral o##er to underta)e all the necessar% e2"enses& gi$ing him a #air share o#resulting "ro#its.

9tranger %et& the "oem !as so #ar a success that the !hole edition& not a large one& !as sold& !itha result in mone% necessaril% small (ut #ar #rom unsatis#actor% to *ector. At the "u(lisher4ssuggestion& this #irst $olume !as soon #ollo!ed (% another+ and thus !as *ector #airl% launchedon the uncertain sea o# a literar% li#e+ ha""% in this& that he !as not entirel% de"endent onliterature #or his (odil% sustenance& (ut !as in a "osition other!ise to earn at least his (read andcheese. For some time longer he continued to ha$e no e2"erience o# the )illing necessit% o#!riting #or his dail% (read& (eneath !hich so man% as"iring s"irits sin) "rematurel% e2haustedand !ithered+ this !as ha""il% "ost"oned& #or there are as much 3ro$idence and merc% in theorderl% arrangement o# our trials as in their ine$ita(le arri$al.

*is rece"tion (% !hat is called the "u(lic !as (% no means so remar)a(le or trium"hant as togi$e his !ell!ishers an% ground #or an2iet% as to its "ossi(le moral e##ect u"on him+ (ut it !as agreat ?o% to him that his #ather !as much interested and delighted in the rece"tion o# the "oem (%the e$ie!s in general. *e !as so much grati#ied& indeed& that he immediatel% !rote to himstating his intention o# su""lementing his income (% hal# as much more.

This re#lected o"inion o# others !rought also to the molli#%ing o# his mother4s #eelings to!ardhim+ (ut those !ith !hich she regarded Annie the% onl% ser$ed to indurate& as the more re$ealingthe girl4s un!orthiness o# him. And although at #irst she regarded !ith #a$or her hus(and4s )indintention to!ard *ector& she #aced entirel% round !hen he sho!ed her a letter he had #rom hisson than)ing him #or his generosit%& and communicating his intention o# (egging Annie to cometo him and (e married at once.



Annie !as li$ing at home& #eeding on *ector4s letters& and strengthened (% her mother4ss%m"ath%. 9he !as teaching regularl% at the *igh 9chool& and adding a little to their commonincome (% gi$ing a #e! music lessons& as !ell as em"lo%ing her needle in a certain )ind o#em(roider% a good deal sought a#ter& in !hich she e2celled. 9he had heard nothing o# his ha$ing

(egun to distinguish himsel#& neither had %et seen one o# the re$ie!s o# his (oo)& #or no one hadta)en the trou(le to sho! her an% o# them.

ne da%& ho!e$er& as she stood !aiting a moment #or something she !anted in the "rinci"al (oo)sho" o# the to!n& a little old lad%& rather sha((il% dressed& came in& !hom she heard sa% tothe sho"man& in a gentle $oice& and !ith the lo$eliest smile:

-*a$e %ou another co"% o# this ne! "oem (% %our to!nsman& %oung Macintosh-

-I am sorr% I ha$e not& ma4am&- ans!ered the sho"man+ -(ut I can get %ou one (% return o# "ost.-

-Do& i# %ou "lease& and send it me at once. I am $er% glad to hear it "romises to (e a greatsuccess. I am sure it ,uite deser$es it. I ha$e alread% read it through t!ice. Bou ma% remem(er%ou got me a co"% the other da%. I cannot hel" thin)ing it an altogether remar)a(le "roduction&es"eciall% #or so %oung a man. *e is ,uite %oung& I (elie$e-

-Bes& ma4amto ha$e alread% "u(lished a (oo). 'ut as to an% !onder#ul success& there is so littlesale #or "oetr% no!ada%s. I (elie$e the one %ou had %oursel#& m% lad%& is the onl% one !e ha$e (een as)ed #or.-

-Much !ill de"end&- said the lad%& -on !hether it #inds a channel o# its o!n soon enough. 'utget me another co"%& an%ho!and as soon as %ou can& "lease. I !ant to send it to m% daughter.There is matter (et!een those Eua)erli)e (oards that I ha$e #ound no!here else. I !ant m%daughter to ha$e it& and I cannot "art !ith m% o!n co"%&- concluded the old lad%& and !ith the!ords she !al)ed out o# the sho"& lea$ing Annie (e!ildered& and !ith the strange #eeling o# asur"rise& !hich %et she had (een e2"ecting. For !hat else (ut such success could come to*ector *ad it not (een dra!ing nearer and nearer all the time And #or a moment she seemedagain to stand& a much %ounger child than no!& amid the gust% !hirling o# the dead lea$es a(outher #eet& once more on the "oint o# stoo"ing to "ic) u" !hat might "ro$e a !ithered lea#& (ut !asin realit% a "oundnote& the thing !hich had !rought her so much miser%& and !as no! #illingher cu" o# ?o% to the $er% (rim. The (oo) the old lad% had tal)ed o# could (e no other than*ector4s (oo). >o other than *ector could ha$e !ritten it. /hat a treasure there !as in the !orldthat she had ne$er seen@ *o! (ig !as it !hat !as it li)e 9he !as sure to )no! it the momenther e%es #ell u"on it. 'ut !h% had he ne$er told her a(out it *e might ha$e !anted to sur"riseher& (ut she !as not the least sur"rised. 9he had )no!n it all the time@ *e had ne$er tal)ed a(out!hat he !as !riting& and still less !ould he tal) o# !hat he !as going to !rite. Intentions !erenot !orth% o# his (eauti#ul mouth@ 3erha"s he did not !ant her to read it %et. /hen he did& he!ould send her a co"%. And& oh@ !hen !ould her mother (e a(le to read it /as it a $er% dear (oo) There could (e no thought o# their (u%ing it@ 'et!een them& she and her mother could notha$e shillings enough #or that. /hen the right time came& he !ould send it. Then it !ould (et!ice as much hers as i# she had (ought it #or hersel#.



The ne2t da% she met Mr. and Mrs. Macintosh& and the #ormer actuall% congratulated her on !hat*ector had done and !hat "eo"le thought o# him #or it+ (ut the latter onl% ga$e a sni##. And thene2t "ost (rought the (oo) itsel#& and !ith it a "etition #rom *ector that she !ould #i2 the da% to ?oin him in ;ondon.

Annie made haste& there#ore& to get read% the dress o# !hite linen in !hich she meant to (emarried& and a lad%& the sister o# *ector4s #riend& meeting her in ;ondon& the% !ere married thene2t da%& and !ent together to *ector4s hum(le lodgings in a northern su(ur(.

*ector4s ne! $olume& larger some!hat& (ut made u" o# smaller "oems& did not attract the sameamount o# attention as the #ormer& and the result ga$e no encouragement to the "u(lisher to ma)ea third $enture. ne reason "ossi(l% !as that the su(?ects o# most o# the "oems& e$en the ga%esto# them& !ere serious& and another ma% ha$e (een that the common tri(e o# re$ie!ers& searchingli)e other "arasites& disco$ered in them material #or ridicule!hich to them meant #ood& and assuch the% made use o# it. At the same time he !as not le#t !ithout #riends: certain o# his readers&

!ho sa! !hat he meant and cared to understand it& continued his readers+ and his in#luence onsuch !as slo!l% gro!ing& !hile those that admired& #eeling the "o!er o# his !or)& held (% himthe more !hen the sco##ers at him gre! insolent. 9till& #e! co"ies !ere sold& and *ector #ound it!ell that he had other !or) and !as not altogether de"endent on his "en& !hich !ould ha$e (eensim"le star$ation. And& #rom the #irst& Annie !as most care#ul in her e2"enditure.

Among the sim"le "eo"le !hom hus(and (rought her to )no!& she s"eedil% (ecame a great#a$orite& and this circle !idened more ra"idl% a#ter she ?oined it. For her sim"le truth& !hiche$en to *ector had occasionall% seemed some !hat o$erdri$en& no! re$ealed itsel# as the groundo# her gro!ing "o"ularit%. 9he !elcomed all& !as #aith#ul to all& and s%m"athetic !ith all. >or!as it longer (e#ore her hus(and (egan to stud% her in order to understand herand that the morethat he could #ind in her neither "lan nor s%stem& nothing (ut straight#or!ard& #oldless sim"licit%. >or did she e$er come to (elie$e less in the #oreseeing care o# God. 9he ceased "erha"s toattri(ute so much to the ministr% o# the angels as !hen she too) the #iercer (last that rescued#rom the #lames the greas% note and (le! it uncharred u" the roaring chimne% #or the sudden!a#t o# an angel4s !ing+ (ut she came to meet them o#tener in dail% li#e& clothed in human #orm&though still the% !ere rare indeed& and o#ten& li)e the angel that re$ealed himsel# to Manoah&disa""eared u"on recognition.

'%and(% it seemed certain that& i# e$er *ector had had an%thing o# !hat the !orld countssuccess& it had no! come to a "ause. For a long time he !rote nothing that& had it (een "u(lished& could ha$e "roduced an% im"ression li)e that o# his #irst (oo)+ it seemed as i# the #irsthad #orestalled the success o# those that should #ollo!. That had (een o# a ne! sort& and the socalled 3u(lic& innocent little "ersoni#ication& !as not %et gro!n read% #or an%thing more o# asimilar )ind& !hich& indeed& seemed to lac) elements o# attraction and interest+ and the readers to!hom the same man !ill tell e$en ne! things are a"t to gro! !ear% o# his mode o# sa%ing& e$enthough that mode ha$e im"ro$ed in directness and #orce+ the tide o# his small re"ute had alread% (egun to ta)e the other direction. Those !ho understood and "ri5ed his !or)& still holding (%him& and declaring that the% #ound in him !hat the% #ound in no other !riter& remained stanch intheir #riendshi"& and among them the little old lad% !ho had at once !elcomed his #irst "oem to



her heart and !hose name and "osition !ere no! !ell )no!n to *ector. 'ut the re$ie!ers&seeming to ha$e #orgotten their #irst #a$ora(le rece"tion o# him& no! (egan to #ind nothing (ut#aults in his !or)& "ointing out onl% !hat the% ?udged ill contri$ed and !orse e2ecuted in hisconce"tions& and that in a tone to con$e% the im"ression that he had someho! !heedled certaino# them into their #ormer #riendl% utterances concerning him.

And a(out the same time it so ha""ened that (usiness (egan to #all a!a% ra"idl% #rom the (an)o# !hich his #ather held the chie# countr% agenc%& so that he !as no longer a(le to continue to*ector his #ormer su(sid%& the announcement o# !hich discouraging #act !as accom"anied (% alecture on the desira(leness o# a change in his choice o# su(?ect as !ell as in his st%le+ i# hecontinued to !rite as he had (een doing o# late& no one !ould (e le#t& his #ather said& to read !hathe !rote@

And no! it (egan to (e e$ident !hat a ha""% thing it !as #or *ector that Annie !as no! at hisside to hel" him. For& as his courage san)& and he sa! Annie (egan to #eel straitened in herhouse)ee"ing& he sa! also ho! her courage arose and shone. 'ut he gre! more and more

discouraged& until it !as all that Annie could do to hold him (ac) #rom des"air. At length&ho!e$er& she (egan to #eel that "ossi(l% there might (e some truth in !hat his #ather had !rittento him& and a ne! de"arture ought to (e attem"ted. 9he could not hersel# (elie$e that herhus(and !as limited to an% st%le or su(?ect #or the em(odiment o# his thoughts+ he !ho had!ritten so !ell in one #ashion might !rite at least !ell& i# not as !ell& in another@ *ad she notheard him sa% that $erse !as the (est "ractice #or !riting "rose

Gentl%& there#ore& and cautiousl% she a""roached the matter !ith him& onl% to #ind at #irst& as shehad e2"ected& that he (ut recoiled #rom the suggestion !ith increase o# discouragement. 9till&ta)ing no delight in o(stinac%& and #eeling the necessit% o# some #resh attem"t gro! dail% more "ressing& he turned his (rains a(out& and sending them #oraging& at length (ethought him o# acertain old *ighland legend !ith !hich at one time he had (een a good deal ta)en& #rom thedisco$er% in it o# certain s%m(olical "ossi(ilities. This legend he "roceeded to re!rite andremodel& doing his (est endea$or to "reser$e in it the old Celtic aroma and aerial suggestion&!hile ta)ing care neither to lose nor re"roduce too mani#estl% its hal#a""arent& still e$anishings%m(olism. =rged (% #ear and en#ee(led (% dou(t& he !rote #e$erousl%& and& a#ter three da%s o#la(orious and unnatural toil& su(mitted the result to Annie& !ho !as no! his onl% re"resentati$eo# the outer !orld& and the onl% "erson #or !hose criticism he seemed no! to care. 9he& greatl%in dou(t o# her o!n ?udgment& su(mitted it to his #riend+ and together the% agreed on this $erdict:That& !hile it certainl% "ro$ed he could !rite as !ell in "rose as in $erse& "eo"le !ould not (eattracted (% it& and that it !ould (e #ound lac)ing in human interest. *is #riend sa! in it also toomuch o# the Celtic tendenc% to the m%stical and allegorical& as distinguished #rom the #actual andstorial.

="on learning this their decision& "oor *ector #ell once more into a state o# greatdiscouragement& not #eeling in him the least "o!er o# ado"ting another !a%+ there seemed to him (ut one mode& the !a% things came to him. And in this surel% he !as rightonl% might not thingscome& or (e sent to him in some other !a% *is #riend suggested that he might& changing theout!ard occurrences& and the descri"tion o# the "ersons to !hom the% ha""ened& in such #ashionthat there could (e no identi#ication o# them& tell the $er% tale o# ho! Annie and he came to )no!



and lo$e each other& ta)ing es"ecial care to mu##le u" to sha"elessness& or at least #eaturelessness&the "art his mother had ta)en in their stor%. This seeming to *ector a thing "ossi(le& he too)courage& and set a(out it at once& gathering interest as he "roceeded& and !riting #aster and #asteras he gre! in ho"e o# success. At the same time it !as not #a$ora(le to the result that he #eltconstantl% (ehind him& the dar)l% lo!ering necessit% that& urging him on& %et de(ilitated e$er%

motion o# the generating s"irit.

It too) him a long time to get the stor% into a condition that he dared to consider e$en "assa(le+and the longer that he had not the delight that $erse !ould ha$e (rought !ith it in the "rocess o#its "roduction. >e$ertheless he !ould no! and then come to a "assage in !riting !hich the oldemotion !ould seem to re$i$e+ (ut in reading these& Annie& modest and dou(t#ul as she al!a%s!as o# her o!n ?udgment& es"eciall% !here her hus(and4s !or) !as concerned& seemed torecogni5e a certain element o# e2citement that ga$e it a glo!& or rather& glamour o# unrealit%& orrather& unnaturalness& !hich a##ected her as inharmonious& there#ore un#it& or out o# "lace. 9hethought it (etter& ho!e$er& to sa% little or nothing o# an% such "aragra"h& and tried to regard it aso# small signi#icance& and "ro(a(l% carr%ing little in#luence in res"ect o# the #inal ?udgment.

The narrati$e& such as it might "ro$e& !as at length #inished& and had (een read& at least !ith "leasure and ho"e& (% his #riend& !ho !as still the onl% critic on !hose ?udgment he daredde"end& #or he could not hel" regarding Annie as "re?udiced in his #a$or& although her a""ro$alcontinued #or him a(solutel% essential. The sole "ortions to !hich his #riend too) an% e2ce"tion!ere the same concerning !hich Annie had alread% dou(ted& and !hich he #ound too "oetical intheir tonenot& he too) care to sa%& in their meaning& #or that could not (e too "oetical& (ut intheir e2"ression& !hich must im"inge too shar"l% u"on "rosaic ears that cared onl% #or thenarrati$e& and !ould recoil #rom an% re#lection& ho!e$er ?ust in itsel#& that might (e !o$en intoit.

'ut& alas& no! came !hat *ector #elt the last and #inal (lo! to the "ossi(ilit% o# #arther endea$or in the !a% o# literature@

The (an) to !hich *ector had (een introduced (% his #ather& and in !hich he had (een em"lo%ede$er since& had o# late #ound it necessar% to loo) more closel% to its outla% and reduce itse2"enses+ there#ore& (elie$ing that *ector had a(undance o# other resources& its managersdecided on gi$ing him notice #irst o# all that the% must in #uture de"ri$e themsel$es o# the "leasure o# his ser$ices. And this announcement came at a time !hen Annie !as alread% in nosmall di##icult% to ma)e the ends o# her e2"enditure meet those o# her income. In #act& she had nolonger an% income. For a considera(le time she had& (% the stinting o# !hat had (e#ore thatseemed necessities& (een ma)ing a shilling do the !or) o# eighteen"ence& and no! she )ne!nothing (e%ond& e2ce"t to go !ithout. 'ut ho! allo! *ector to go !ithout *e must die i# shedid@ Alread% he had (egun to shrin) in his clothes #rom lac) o# "ro"er nourishment.

A rumor reaching him o# a certain "ost as li(rarian& in the gi#t o# an old cor"oration& (eing$acant& *ector at once made a""lication #or it& (ut onl% to recei$e the ans!er that 3egasus mustnot (e "ut in harness: "oor 3egasus& on a #alse "retense o# res"ect& must (e )e"t out o# the sha#ts@*is #at #riends !ould not "ermit him to degrade himsel# earning his (read (% !or) he could ha$edone $er% !ell+ he must rather star$e@ *e tried #or man% "osts& one a#ter the other. *ea$ier and



hea$ier #ell u"on him each #ollo!ing disa""ointment. Annie had in her heart (een greatl%disa""ointed that no "ros"ect a""eared o# a child to sancti#% their union+ (ut #or that she hadlearned more than to console hersel# !ith the re#lection that at least there !as no such hea$enl%$isitor #or !hose earthl% so?ourn to "ro$ide+ and no! ho! gladl% !ould she ha$e la(ored #or thechild in the ho"e that such a ?o% and com"anionshi" might li#t him u" out o# his des"ondenc%@

Then he !ould (e a(le to en?o% and assimilate the "oor #ood she !as a(le to get #or him. It istrue he al!a%s seemed ,uite content+ (ut& then& he !ould o#ten& she (elie$ed& "retend not to (ehungr%& and certainl% ate less and less. *itherto she had #ought !ith all her might against runningin de(t to the trades"eo"le& #or& more than all else& she #eared de(t. >o!& at last& ho!e$er& herresolution !as in danger o# gi$ing !a%& !hen& ha""il%& *ector (ethought himsel# o# his "recious (oo)s+ to !hat (etter use could he "ut them than sell them to (u% #ood!herein the (oo)s hehad !ritten had #ailed him 3arcel (% "arcel in a leather stra"& he carried them to the nearestsecondhand (oo)seller& !here he had so o#ten (ought+ no! he !anted to sell& (ut& unha""il%& hesoon #ound that (oo)s& li)e man% other things& are !orth much less to the seller than to the (u%er&and !here *ector had calculated on "ounds& onl% shillings !ere #orthcoming. Bet (% their sale&not!ithstanding& the% managed to )ee" a little longer out o# de(t.

And in these da%s Annie had at length #inished her #air co"% o# *ector4s last (oo)& !riting it outin her o!n lo$elil% legi(le handnot such as ladies in general count legi(le& (ecause the% caneasil% read it themsel$es+ she could do (etter than that& she could !rite so that others could not#ail to read. For *ector had al!a%s (elie$ed that the acce"tance o# his #irst $olume had (eeno!ing not a little to the #act that he had !ritten it out most legi(l%& and he held that !hat re$ealsitsel# at once and !ithout "ossi(ilit% o# mista)e ma% ?ustl% ho"e #or a (etter rece"tion than !hat#rom the #irst moment anno%s the reader !ith a sense o# illtreatment. It is no !onder& he said& i#such a manuscri"t (e at once tossed aside !ith an im"recation. ;egi(ilit% is the #irst andintelligi(ilit% the onl% other thing rendered due (% the su(mission o# a manuscri"t to an% "u(lisher.

*ector s"ent a da% or t!o in remodeling and modi#%ing the "assages remar)ed u"on (% his !i#eand his #riend& and then& !ith ho"e re$i$ing in (oth their hearts& the manuscri"t !as sent in&ac)no!ledged& and the da% a""ointed !hen an ans!er !ould (e read%.

="on a certain dar) morning& there#ore& in >o$em(er& ha$ing nothing else !hate$er to do&*ector set out in his much!orn In$erness ca"e to call u"on his #ormer "u(lisher in the Cit%&!ith !hom o# late he had had no communication. The !eather !as cold and dam"& threateningrain. 'ut *ector !as too much o# a 9cotchman to care a(out !eather& and too #ull o# an2iet% tomind either cold or !et. *e had& indeed& almost al!a%s #elt gloom% !eather e2citing rather thande"ressing. For one thing& it seemed& !hen he !as indoors& to close him a(out !ith "rotection#rom uncongenial interru"tion& lea$ing the #reer his in$enti$e #acult%+ and no! that he !asa(road in it& and no in$enti$e #acult% le#t a!a)e& it seemed to clothe him !ith congenials%m"ath%& #or the !eather !as ?ust the same inside him. And no!& as he strode along !ith hise%es on the ground& he scarcel% sa! an% o# the o(?ects a(out him& (ut sought onl% the heart o# theCit%& !here he ho"ed to #ind the "u(lisher in his o##ice& read% to "rint his manuscri"t& andad$ance him a small sum in antici"ation o# "ossi(le "ro#it. 9o a(sor(ed !as he in thoughtunde#ined& and so sun) in an2iet% as to the ans!er he !as a(out to recei$e& that more than once



he !as nearl% run o$er (% the cart o# some rec)less tradesmanseeming to him& in its o$erta)ingsuddenness& the t%"e o# "ro"hetic #ate alread% at his heels.

At length& ho!e$er& he arri$ed sa#e in the outer sho"& !here the (oo)s o# the #irm !ere e2"osedto sight& in "rocess o# (eing su(scri(ed #or (% the trade. There a "ert %oung man as)ed him to

ta)e a seat& !hile he carried his name to the "u(lisher& and there #or some time he !aited& readingtitles he #ound himsel# una(le to la% hold o#+ and there& !hile he !aited& the threatened rain (egan& and& ere he !as admitted to the inner "remises& such a (lac) deluge came "ouring do!nas& #or (lac)ness at least& comes do!n no!here sa$e in ;ondon. /ith this accom"animent& he!as ushered at length into a ding% o##ice& dee" in the recesses o# the house& !here a %oung man!hom he sa! #or the #irst time had e$identl%& !hile *ector !aited in the sho"& (een glancing atthe manuscri"t he had le#t. ;ittle as he could ha$e read& ho!e$er& it had (een enough& aided "erha"s (% the !eather& to (ring him to an un#a$ora(le decision+ his re?ection !as "recise andde#inite& lea$ing no room #or *ector to sa% an%thing& #or he did not seem e$er to ha$e heard o#him (e#ore. *ector rose at once& gathered u" his "a"ers #rom the ta(le !here the% la% scattered&said -Goodmorning&- and !ent out into the soot% rain.

>ot )no!ing !hither!ard to "oint his #oot& he sto""ed at the corner o# <ing /illiam 9treet&close to the mone%sho"s o# the old ;om(ards& and there stood still& in $ain endea$or to reali5ethe (lo! that had stunned him. There he stood and stood& !ith (o!ed head& li)e an outcast (eggar& !atching the rain that dro""ed (lac) #rom the rim o# his saturated hat. 'ecomingsuddenl% conscious& ho!e$er& that the #e! !a%#arers glanced some!hat curiousl% at him as the% "assed& he started to !al) on& not )no!ing !hither& (ut tr%ing to loo) as i# he had a "ur"osesome!here inside him& !hereas he had still a ,uestion to settle!hether to (u% a (un& and& onthe strength o# that& !al) home& or s"end his #e! remaining "ence on an omni(us& as #ar as it!ould ta)e him #or the mone%& and !al) the rest o# the !a%.

Then& suddenl%& as i# out o# the de"ths o# des"air& arose in him an assurance o# hel" on the !a% tohim& and !ith it a strength to loo) in the #ace the !orst that could (e#all him+ he might at leaststar$e in "atience. There!ith he dre! himsel# u"& crossed the street to the corner o# the Mansion*ouse& and got into an omni(us !aiting there.

I# onl% he could cree" into his gra$e and ha$e done@ /h% should that hostelr% o# re#uge standal!a%s shut 9urel% he !as (ut !al)ing in his o!n #uneral@ /ere not the mourners alread% goinga(out the street (e#ore e$er the sil$er cord !as loosed or the golden (o!l (ro)en Might he notno! at length #eel at li(ert% to end the li#e he had ceased to $alue 'ut there !as Annie@ *e!ould go home to her+ she !ould com#ort him%es& she !ould die !ith him@ There !as no other esca"e+ there !as no sign o# coming deli$erance. All !as (lac) !ithin and around them. That!as the rain on the gra$estones. *e !as in a hearse& on his !a% to the church%ard. There themourners !ere alread% gathered. The% !ere (e#ore him& !aiting his arri$al. >o@ *e !ould gohome to Annie@ *e !ould not (e a co!ard soldier@ *e !ould not )ill himsel# to esca"e theenem%@ *e !ould stand u" to the $il ne& and ta)e his (lo!s !ithout #linching. *e and hisAnnie !ould ta)e them together& and #ight to the last. Then& i# the% must die& it !as !ell& and!ould (e (etter.



'ut alas@ !hat i# the o(ligation o# a li$e soul !ent #arther than this li#e /hat i# a man !as (ound& (% the #act that he li$ed& to li$e on& and do e$er%thing "ossi(le to )ee" the li#e ali$e inhim There his heart san)& and the de"ths o# the sea co$ered it@ Did God re,uire o# him that&sooner than die& he should (eg the #ood to )ee" him ali$e /ould he (e guilt% o# #orsa)ing his "ost& i# he (ut re#used to as)& and !aited #or Death /as he (ound to (eg I# he !as& he must

(egin at once (% re#using to acce"t the smallest credit@ To all the% must tell the truth o# theircircumstances& and re#use aught (ut charit%. 'ut !as there not something %et he could tr% (e#ore (egging *e had had a good education& had (oth )no!ledge and the "o!er o# im"arting it+ this!as still !orth mone% in the !orld4s mar)et. And dou(tless therein his #riend could do something#or him.

There!ithal his ne! dread !as gone+ one "ossi(ilit% !as %et le#t him in store@ To his !i#e hemust go& and tal) the thing o$er !ith her. *e had still& he (elie$ed& three"ence in his "oc)et to "a% #or the omni(us.

It (egan to mo$e+ and then #irst& !a)ing u"& he sa! that he had seated himsel# (et!een a "oor

!oman and a little girl& e$identl% her daughter.

-I am $er% sorr% to incommode %ou& ma4am&- he said a"ologeticall% to the !hite#aced !oman&!hose little tartan sha!l scarcel% co$ered her shoulders& "ain#ull% conscious o# his dri""ingcondition& as he too) o## his hat& and laid it on the #loor (et!een his e,uall% soa)ing #eet. 'ut&instead o# mo$ing a!a% #rom him to a drier "osition (e%ond& the !oman& !ith a #ee(le smile&mo$ed closer u" to him& sa%ing to her daughter on his other side:

-9it closer to the gentleman& essie& and hel" to )ee" him !arm. 9he4s ,uite clean& sir&- sheadded. -/e ha$e "lent% o# !ater in our "lace& and I ga$e her a (ath m%sel# this morning& (ecause!e !ere going to the hos"ital to see m% hus(and. *e had a (ad accident %esterda%& (ut than)God@ not so (ad as it might ha$e (een. I4m a#raid %ou4re #eeling $er% cold& sir&- she added& #or*ector had ?ust gi$en an in$oluntar% shi$er.

-M% hus(and he4s a (ric)la%er&- she !ent on+ -he has (een in good !or)& and I ha$e a #e!shillings in hand& than) God@ Times are sure to mend& #or the% seldom turns out so (ad as the%loo)s.-

In$oluntaril% *ector4s hand mo$ed to his trouser "oc)et& (ut dro""ed (% his side as heremem(ered the #are. 9he sa! his mo$ement& and (ro)e into a sad little laugh.

-Don4t mista)e me& sir&- she resumed. -I told %ou true !hen I said I !asn4t !ithout mone%+ and& (e#ore the "inch comes& !ages& I dare sa%& !ill sho! their color again. 'esides& our !ee)4s rent is "aid. And he4s in good ,uarters& "oor #ello!& though !ith a (ad "ain to )ee" him com"an%& I4ma#raid-

-/here do %ou li$e- as)ed *ector -'ut&- he !ent on& -!h% should I as) I am as "oor as %ou "oorer& "erha"s& #or I ha$e no trade to #all (ac) u"on. 'ut I ha$e a good !i#e li)e %ou& and I don4tdou(t she4ll thin) o# something.-



-Trust to that& sir@ A good !oman li)e I4m sure she is 4ll (e sure to thin) o# man% a thing (e#oreshe4ll gi$e in. M% hus(and& he !as (rought u" to religion& and he al!a%s sa%s there4s one as)no!4s and don4t #orget.- 'ut no! the omni(us had reached the s"ot !here *ector must lea$e it.*e got u"& #um(ling #or his three"enn%"iece& (ut #ailed to #ind it.

-Don4t #orget %our hat& sir+ it4ll come all right !hen it4s dr%&- said the !oman& as she handed it tohim. 'ut he stood& the conductor !aiting& and seemed una(le to ta)e it #rom her: he could not#ind the little coin@

-There& there& sir@- inter"osed the !oman& as she made haste and handed him three co""ers+ -Iha$e "lent% #or (oth o# us& and !ish #or %our sa)e it !as a hundred times as much. Ta)e it& sir&-she insisted& !hile *ector %et hesitated and #um(led+ -%ou !on4t re#use such a small ser$ice #romanother o# God4s creatures@ I mean it !ell.-

'ut the conductor& a""arentl% a##ected !ith the same generosit%& "ushed (ac) the !oman4s hand&sa%ing& ->o& no& ma4am& than) %ou@ The gentleman 4ll "a% me another da%.-

*ector "ulled out an old sil$er !atch& and o##ered it.

-I cannot (e so sure a(out that&- he said. -'etter ta)e this: it4s o# little use to me no!.-

-I4ll (e damned i# I do@- cried the conductor #iercel%& and do!n he ?um"ed and stood read% tohel" *ector #rom the omni(us.

'ut his )indness !as more than *ector could stand+ he !al)ed a!a%& una(le to than) him.

-I !onder no!&- muttered the conductor to himsel# !hen *ector !as gone& -i# that !as a "utu" ?o( (et!een him and the !oman I don4t thin) so. An%ho!& it4s no great loss to an%(od%. I !on4t "ut it do!n+ the com"an% 4ll ha$e to co$er that.-

*ector turned do!n a street that led !est!ard& dr%ing his e%es& and !in)ing hard to ma)e thems!allo! the tears !hich sought to hide #rom him a s"ectacle that !as calling aloud to (e seen.For lo@ the streetend !as #illed !ith the glor% o# a magni#icent rain(o!. All across its o"eningstretched and stood the !ide arch o# a !onder#ul rain(o!. *ector could not see the sun+ he sa!onl% !hat it !as ma)ing+ and the old stor% came (ac) to him& ho! the men o# ancient time too)the hea$enl% (o! #or a "romise that there should no more (e such a #lood as again to destro% the!orld. And there#ore e$en no! the "oets called the rain(o! the (o! o# ho"e.

>or& e$en in these da%s o# ,uestion and un(elie#& is it matter o# !onder that& at sight o# theharmon% o# (lended and mingling& %et al!a%s indi$idual& and ne$er con#used colors& andnot!ithstanding his )no!ledge o# o"tics& and o# ho! the su"reme unit% o# the light !as secernedinto its decreed chord& the imaginati$e #aith o# the trou(led "oet should so !or) in him as to li#this head #or a moment a(o$e the !aters o# that other #lood that threatened to o$er!helm hismicrocosm& and the (o! should seem to him a ne! "romise& gi$en to him then and indi$iduall%&o# the #aith#ulness o# an unseen 3o!er o# !hom he had (een assured& (% one !hom he dared notdou(t& that *e num(ered the $er% hairs o# his head. nce more his s"irit rose u"on the !a$e o# a



ho"e !hich he could neither logicall% ?usti#% nor dare to re#use+ #or ho"e is ho"e !hencesoe$er its"ring& and needs no ?usti#ication o# its sel#e2istence or o# its sudden mar$elous (irth. The $er%ho"e !as in itsel# enough #or itsel#. And no! he !as near his home+ his Annie !as !aiting #orhim+ and in another instant his miser% !ould (e shared and com#orted (% her@ *e !as !al)ingto!ard the !ondersign in the hea$ens. 'ut e$en as he !al)ed !ith it #ull in $ie!& he sa! it

graduall% #ade and dissol$e into the s)%& until not a thread o# its lo$eliness remained to sho!!here it had s"anned the in#inite !ith its "romise o# good. And %et& !as not the s)% itsel# a (etter thing& and the "romise o# a %et greater good *e must !al) on!ard %et& in tireless ho"e@ And theresol$e itsel# enduredor #ading& re$i$ed& and came again& and e$er %et again.

For ere he had "assed the #e! %ards that la% (et!een him and Annie %et another !onder (e#ell:as i# the rain(o! had condensed& and ta)en sha"e as it melted a!a%& there on the "ath!a%& in thethic)ening t!ilight o# the s!i#tdescending >o$em(er night& stood a creature& surel% not o# thenight& (ut rather o# the earl% morn& a lo$el% little child!hether !andered #rom the o"en door o#some neigh(oring house& or le#t (% the $anished rain(o!& ho! !as he to tell ndea$oringa#ter!ard to recall e$er% "oint o# her a""earance& he could remem(er nothing o# her #eet& or e$en

o# the #roc) she !ore. nl% her #ace remained to him& !ith its cerulean e%esthe e%es o# Annie&loo)ing u" #rom under the cloud o# her dar) hair& !hich also !as Annie4s. 9he loo)ed then as shestood& in his memor% o# her& as i# she !ere sa%ing& -I trust in %ou+ !ill %ou not trust in *im !homade the rain(o!- For a moment he seemed to stand regarding her& (ut e$en !hile he loo)edhe must ha$e #orgotten that she !as there (e#ore him& #or !hen again he )ne! that he sa! her&though he did not seem e$er to ha$e loo)ed a!a% #rom her& she had changed in the gatheringdar)ness to the "hantasm o# a dais%& !hich still ga5ed u" in his #ace trustingl%& and& indeed& !ent!ith him to his o!n door& seeming all the time to sa%& -It !as no child+ it !as me %ou sa!& andnothing (ut me+ onl% I sa! the sunI mean& the man that !as ma)ing the rain(o!.- And ne$ermore could he in his mind se"arate the child& !hom I cannot (ut thin) he had $eril% seen& #romthe dais% !hich certainl% he had not seen& e2ce"t in the atmos"here o# his trou(led and con#usedsoul.

It ma% hel" m% reader to understand its con#usion i# I recall to him the #act that *ector had thatda% eaten nothing. >or must m% !i#e reader thin) hardl% o# Annie #or ha$ing let him lea$e thehouse !ithout an% #ood& #or he had stolen so#tl% a!a%& and closed the door as so#tl% (ehind him&thin)ing ho! merril% the% !ould eat together !hen he came (ac) !ith his good ne!s. And no!he !as (ringing nothing to her (ut the stor% o# a "oor !oman and her child !ho had !armedhim& and o# an omni(usconductor !ho had trusted him #or his #are& and o# a rain(o! and a childand a dais%.

-h& %ou naught%& naught% dear@- cried Annie& as she thre! hersel# into his arms& re?oicing. 'utat sight o# his !orn and "allid #ace the smile #aded #rom hers& and she thought& -/hat can ha$e (e#allen him-

*is li" ,ui$ered& and& see)ing !ith a !ater% smile to reassure her& he ga$e !a% and (urst intotears. =nmanl% o# him& no dou(t& (ut !hat is a man to do !hen he cannot hel" it And !here is aman to !ee" i# not on his !i#e4s (osom Call this (eha$ior unnglish& i# %ou !ill+ #or& indeed&*ector !as in man% !a%s other than nglish& and& I "rotest& nglish !a%s are not all human. 'utI !ill not allo! that it mani#ested an% !ea)ness& or necessaril% in$ol$ed shame to him+ the (est



o# men& and the strongest%ea& the one Man !hose soul har(ored not an atom o# sel#"it%u"onone occasion !e"t& I thin) (ecause he could not "ersuade the !omen !hom he lo$ed and !ould#ain console to ta)e com#ort in his Father. Annie& #or one re$erent moment& turned her head aside&then thre! her arms a(out him& and hid her glo!ing #ace in his (osom.

-There4s onl% me in the house& dear&- she said& and led the !a% to their room.

/hen the% reached it& she closed the door& and turned to him.

-9o the% !on4t ta)e %our stor%- she said& assuming the #act& !ith a sad& sunn% smile.

-The% re#used it a(solutel%.-

-/ell& ne$er mind@ I shall go out charing tomorro!. Bou ha$e no notion ho! strong I am. It is!ell #or %ou I ha$e ne$er !anted to (eat %ou. 9eriousl%& I (elie$e I am much stronger than %ouha$e the least notion o#. There@ Feel that armI should let %ou #eel it another !a%& onl% I am

a#raid o# hurting %ou.-

9he had turned u" the slee$e o# her dress& and unco$ered a grandl% de$elo"ed arm& !hite asmil)& and (lossoming in a large& s"lendidl% #ormed hand. Then "la%#ull%& (ut oh@ so tenderl%&!ith the under and so#test "art o# her arm she #ondled his #ace& ru((ing it o$er #irst one& then theother chee)& and ended !ith (oth arms round his nec)& her hands #olding his head to her (osom.

-/i#e@ !i#e@- #altered *ector& !ith di##icult% controlling himsel#+ -m% strong& (eauti#ul !i#e@ Tothin) o# %our marr%ing me #or this@-

-*ector&- ans!ered Annie& dra!ing hersel# (ac) !ith dignit%& -do %ou dare to "it% me That!ould (e to insult me@ As i# I !as not #it to (e %our !i#e !hen doing 0e$er%thing0 #or m%mother@ There are thousands o# 9cotch girls that !ould onl% (e "roud to ta)e m% "lace& "oor as%ou areand %ou couldn4t (e much "oorerand ser$e %ou& !ithout (eing %our !i#e& as I ha$e thehonor and "ride to (e@ 'ut& m% (lessed man& I do (elie$e %ou ha$e eaten nothing toda%+ andhere am I #anc%ing m%sel# %our !i#e& and letting %ou stand there em"t%& instead o# (estirringm%sel# to get %ou some su""er@ /hat a shame@ /h%& %ou are actuall% d%ing !ith hunger@- shecried& searching his #ace !ith "iti#ul e%es.

-n the contrar%& I am not in the least hungr%&- "rotested *ector.

-Then %ou must (e hungr% at once& sir. I !ill go and (ring %ou something the $er% sight o# !hich!ill ma)e %ou hungr%.-

-'ut %ou ha$e no mone%& Annie+ and& not (eing a(le to "a%& !e must go !ithout. Come& !e !illgo to (ed.- -Bes& I am read%+ I had a good (rea)#ast. 'ut %ou ha$e had nothing all da%. And #ormone%& do %ou )no! Miss *am"er& the dressma)er& actuall% o##ered to lend me a shilling& and Itoo) it. *ere it is. Bou see& I !as so sure %ou !ould (ring mone% home that I thought !e 0might0 run that much #arther into de(t. 9o I got %ou t!o #resh eggs and such a lo$el% little !hite loa#.'esides& I ha$e ?ust thought o# something else !e could get a little mone% #orthat daint%



chemise m% mother made #or me !ith her o!n hands !hen !e !ere going to (e married. I !illta)e it to the "a!n(ro)er tomorro!.-

-I !as ne$er in a "a!nsho"& Annie. I don4t thin) I should )no! ho! to set a(out it.-

-0Bou@0- cried Annie& !ith a touch o# scorn. -Do %ou thin) I !ould trust a man !ith it >o+that4s a !oman4s !or). /h%& %ou !ould let the #ello! o##er %ou hal# it !as !orthand %ou!ould ta)e it too. I shall sho! it to Mrs. /hitmore: 0she0 !ill )no! !hat I ought to get #or it.9he4s had to do the thing hersel#too o#ten& "oor thing@-

-It !ould (e li)e tearing m% heart out.-

-/hat@ to "art !ith m% "rett% chemise. *ector& dear& %ou must not (e #oolish@ /hat does itmatter& so long as !e are not cheating an%(od% The "a!nsho" is a most honora(le and use#ulinstitution. >o one is the !orse #or it& and man% a one the (etter. $en the trades"eo"le !ill (e atri#le the (etter. I shall (e ,uite "roud to )no! that I ha$e a "a!ntic)et in m% "oc)et to #all (ac)

u"on. h& there4s that old sil) dress %our mother sent meI do (elie$e that !ould (ring more. Itis in good condition& and loo)s ,uite res"ecta(le. I# $e had got into a scra"e li)e ours& she!ould ha$e (een hel"less& "oor thing& not ha$ing an%thing 0to "ut a!a%0that is the right !ord&I (elie$e. There is reall% nothing disgrace#ul a(out it. Come no!& dear& and eat %our eggsI4ma#raid %ou must do !ithout (utter. I al!a%s "re#erred a "iece o# dr% (read !ith an egg%ou getthe true taste o# the egg so much (etter. ne da% or another !e must "art !ith e$er%thing. It issure to come. 9ooner or later& !hat does that matter 4The readiness is all&4 as *amlet sa%s. Death&or the "a!nsho"& signi#ies nothing. 49ince no man has aught o# !hat he lea$es& !hat is it to lea$e (etimes4 /e do (ut #orestall the gra$e #or one (rie# hour !ith the "a!nsho".-

-Bou deser$e to ha$e married "ictetus& Annie& %ou (ra$e !oman& instead o# Hanti""e@-

-I "re#er %ou& *ector.-

-'ut !hat might %ou ha$e said i# he had as)ed %ou& and %ou had heard me (emoaning the "a!nsho"-

-Ah& then& indeed@ 'ut& in the meantime& !e !ill go to (ed and !ait there #or tomorro!. Is it nota lo$el% thing to )no! that God is thin)ing a(out %ou *e !ill (ring us to 0our desired ha$en&0*ector& dearest@-

9o in their sadness the% laid them do!n. Annie o"ened her arms and too) *ector to her (osom.There he sighed himsel# to slee"+ and God "ut *is arms a(out them (oth& and )e"t them aslee"until the morning.

And in this lo$e& more than in (ed& I rest.

Annie !as the #irst to s"ring u" and (egin to dress hersel#& "ondering in her mind as she did so!hether to go #irst to the "a!n(ro)er4s or to the (a)er& to as) him to recommend her as a



char!oman. 9he !ould tell him ?ust the truththat she must in #uture !or) #or her dail% (read.Then *ector rose and dressed himsel#.

-h& Annie@- he said& as he did so& -is it gone& that a!#ul miser% o# last night in the omni(us Itseemed& as I ?olted along& as i# God had #orgotten one o# the creatures he had made& and that one

!as me+ or& !orse& that he thought o# me& and !ould not mo$e to hel" me@ And !h% do I #eelno! as i# *e had hel" #or me some!here near !aiting #or me I thin) I !ill go and see a man!ho li$es some!here close (%& and #ind out i# he is the same I used to )no! at 9t. Andre!s+ i# he (e the same& he ma% )no! o# something I could tr% #or.-

-Do&- re"lied Annie. -I !ill go !ith %ou& and on the !a% call at the grocer4sI thin) he !ill (ethe (est to as) i# he )no!s o# an% #amil% that !ants a char!oman or could gi$e me an% sort o#!or). There4s more than one )ind o# thing I could turn m% hand toneedle!or)& #or instance. Icould ma)e a child4s #roc) as !ell& I (elie$e& as a secondrate dressma)er. Can %ou tell me !ho!as the #irst tailor& *ector It !as God himsel#. *e made coats o# s)ins #or Adam and his !i#e.-

-Euite right& dear. Bou ma% !ell tr% %our handas I )no! %ou ha$e done man% a time alread%.And& i# I can get hold o# e$er so %oung a "u"il& I shall (e glad e$en to teach him his letters. /emust tr% an%thing and e$er%thing. /e are long "ast (eing #astidious& I ho"e.-

*e turned and !ent on !ith his toilet.

-h& *ector&- said Annie suddenl%& and !al)ed to the mantel"iece& -I am so sorr%@ *ere is aletter that came #or %ou %esterda%. I did not care to o"en it& though %ou ha$e o#ten told me too"en an% letters I "leased. The #act is& I #orgot all a(out it+ I (elie$e& (ecause I !as so unha""% at%our going a!a% !ithout (rea)#ast. r "erha"s it !as that I !as #rightened at its (lac) (order. Ireall% can4t tell no! !h% I did not o"en it.-

/ith little interest and less ho"e& *ector too) the letter&(lac)(ordered and (lac)sealed&o"ened it& and glanced carelessl% at the signature& !hile Annie stood loo)ing at him& in the ho"emerel% that he !ould #ind in it no #resh trou(lesome #orgotten (ill "erha"s@

9he sa! his #ace change& and his e%es gro! #i2ed. A moment more and the letter dro""ed in the#ender. *e stood an instant& then #ell on his )nees& and thre! u" his hands.

-/hat is it& darling- she cried& (eginning to trem(le.

-nl% #i$e hundred "ounds@- he ans!ered& and (urst into an h%sterical laugh.

-Im"ossi(le@- cried Annie.

-/ho 0can0 ha$e "la%ed us such a cruel tric)- said *ector #ee(l%.

-It4s no tric)& *ector@- e2claimed Annie. -There4s no(od% !ould ha$e the heart to do it. ;et 0me0 see the letter.-



9he almost caught it #rom his hands as he "ic)ed it #rom the #ender& and loo)ed at the signature.

-*ale *ale- she read. -I ne$er heard o# them@-

->o& nor an%one else& I dare sa%&- ans!ered *ector.

-;et us see the address at the to"&- said Annie.

-There it is3hil"ot ;ane.-

-/here is that I don4t (elie$e there is such a "lace@-

-h& %es& there is+ I4$e seen itsome!here in the Cit%& I (elie$e. 'ut let us read the letter. I sa!onl% the #igures. I con#ess I !as #oolish enough at #irst to #anc% some(od% had sent us #i$ehundred "ounds@-

-And !h% not- cried Annie. -I am sure there4s no one more in !ant o# it.-

-That4s ?ust !h% not&- ans!ered *ector. -Did %ou e$er )no! a rich man lea$e his mone% to a "oor relation h& I ho"e it does not mean that m% #ather is gone. *e ma% ha$e le#t us a tri#le.nl% he could not ha$e had so much to lea$e to an%(od%. I )no! he lo$ed %ou& Annie.-

In the meantime Annie had (een doing the one sensi(le thingreading the letter& and no! shestood "ondering it.

-I ha$e it& *ector. *e al!a%s uses good "eo"le to do his )indnesses. Don4t %ou remem(er metelling %ou a(out the little old lad% in Graham4s sho" the time %our (oo) came out-

-Bes& Annie+ I !asn4t li)el% to #orget that+ it !as m% lo$e #or %ou that made me a(le to !rite the "oem. Ah& (ut ho! soon !as the t!ent% "ounds I got #or it s"ent& though I thought it richesthen@-

-9o it !asand so it is@- cried Annie& hal# laughing& (ut cr%ing outright. -It4s ?ust that same littleold lad%. 9he !as so delighted !ith the (oo)& and !ith %ou #or !riting it& that she "ut %ou do!nat once in her !ill #or #i$e hundred "ounds& (elie$ing it !ould hel" "eo"le to trust in God.-

-And here !as I distrusting so much that I !as nearl% read% to )ill m%sel#. nl% I thought it!ould (e such a terri(le shoc) to %ou& m% "recious@ It !ould ha$e (een to tell God to his #acethat I )ne! he !ould not hel" me. I am sure no! that he is ne$er #orgetting& though he seems toha$e #orgotten. There !as that letter l%ing in the dar) through all the hours o# the long night&!hile !e sle"t in the !eariness o# sorro! and #ear& not )no!ing !hat the light !as (ringing us.God is good@-

-;et us go and see these "eo"le and ma)e sure&- said Annie. -4*ale and *eart%&4 do the% callthemsel$es 'ut I4m going !ith %ou m%sel# this time@ I4m not going to ha$e such another da% as I



had %esterda%!aiting #or %ou till the sun !as do!n& and all !as dar)& %ou (ad man@and#anc%ing all manner o# terri(le things@ I !onderI !onder& i#-

-/ell& !hat do %ou !onder& Annie-

-nl% !hether& i# no! !e !ere to #ind out it !as indeed all a mista)e& I should %et (e a(le toho"e on through all the rest. I dou(t it+ I dou(t it@ h& *ector& %ou ha$e taught me e$er%thing@-

-More& it seems& than I ha$e m%sel# learned. Bour mother had alread% taught %ou #ar more thane$er I had to gi$e %ou@-

-'ut it is much too earl% %et& I #ear& to call in the Cit%&- said Annie. -Don4t %ou thin) !e shouldha$e time #irst to #ind out !hether the gentleman !e !ere thin)ing o# in,uiring a#ter toda% (e%our old college #riend or not And I !ill call at the grocer4s& and tell him !e ho"e to settle his (ill in a #e! da%s. Then %ou can come to me& and I !ill go to %ou& and !e shall meet some!here (et!een.-

The% did as Annie "ro"ose+ and (e#ore the% met& *ector had #ound his #riend& and (een heartil%recei$ed (oth (% him and (% his %oung !i#e.

/hen at length the% reached 3hil"ot ;ane& and !ere seated in an outer room !aiting #oradmission& Annie said: -9urel%& i# rich "eo"le )ne! ho! some the% do not )no! need their hel"&the% !ould (e a little more eager to #eather their !ings ere the% #l% alo#t (% ma)ing #riends !iththe Mammon o# unrighteousness. Don4t %ou thin) it ma% (e sometimes that the% are a#raid o#doing harm !ith their mone%-

-I4m a#raid it is more that the% ne$er thin) !hat our ;ord meant !hen he said the !ords. 'ut oh&Annie@ is it a (ad sign o# me that the $er% "ossi(ilit% o# this mone% could ma)e me so ha""%-

The% !ere admitted at length& and )indl% recei$ed (% a gra%haired old man& !ho !arned themnot to #anc% so much mone% !ould last them $er% long.

-Indeed& sir&- ans!ered Annie& -the (est thing !e e2"ect #rom it is that it !ill "ut m% hus(and ingood heart to (egin another (oo).-

-h@ %our hus(and !rites (oo)s& does he Then I (egin to understand m% late client4s !ill. It is ?ust li)e her&- said the old gentleman. -*ad %ou )no!n her long-

-I ne$er once sa! her&- said *ector.

-'ut I did&- said Annie& -and I heard her sa% ho! delighted she !as !ith his #irst (oo). 3lease&sir&- she added& -!ill it (e long (e#ore %ou can let us ha$e the mone%-

-Bou shall ha$e it (%and(%&- ans!ered the la!%er+ -all in good time.-



And no! #irst the% learned that not a "enn% o# the mone% !ould the% recei$e (e#ore the end o# at!el$emonth.

-/ell& that !ill gi$e us "lent% o# time to die #irst&- thought *ector& -!hich I am sure the )indlad% did not intend !hen she le#t us the mone%.-

Another thing the% learned !as that& e$en then& the% !ould not recei$e the !hole o# the mone%le#t them& #or seeing the% could claim no relation to the legator& ten "er cent must (e deducted#rom their legac%. I# the% came to him in a %ear #rom the date o# her death& he told them he !ouldha$e much "leasure in handing them the sum o# #our hundred and #i#t% "ounds.

9o the% le#t the o##icenot $er% e2ultant& #or the% !ere (oth rather hungr%& and had to go at oncein search o# !or)!ith (ut a "oor chance o# (orro!ing u"on it.

>e$ertheless& *ector (ro)e the silence (% sa%ing:

-I declare& Annie& I #eel so light and #ree alread% that I could in$ent an%thing& e$en a #air% tale&and I #eel as i# it !ould (e a lo$el% one. I ho"e %ou ha$e a "enn% le#t to (u% a ne! (ottle o# in).The in) at home is so thic) it ta)es three stro)es to one mar).-

-Bes& dear& I ha$e a "enn%+ I ha$e t!o& indeed?ust t!o"ence le#t. /e shall (u% a (ottle o# in)!ith one& andshall it (e a (un !ith the other I thin) one "enn% (un !ill di$ide (etter than t!ohal#"enn% ones.-

-er% !ell. nl%& mind& 0I4m0 to di$ide it. 'ut& do %ou )no!& I4$e (een thin)ing&- said *ector&-!hether !e might not ta)e a holida% on the strength o# our e2"ectations& #or !e shall ha$e solong to !ait #or the mone% that I thin) !e ma% trul% sa% !e ha$e 0great0 e2"ectations.-

-I thin) !e should do (etter&- ans!ered Annie& -to go (ac) to %our old #riend& Mr. Gilles"ie& andtell him o# our good#ortune& and see !hether he can suggest an%thing #or us to do in themeantime.-

*ector agreed& and together the% sought the terrace !here Mr. and Mrs. Gilles"ie li$ed& !ho!ere much interested in their stor%+ and then #irst the% learned that the lad% !as at least !ellenough o## to (e a(le to hel" them& and& !hen the% le#t& she !ould ha$e Annie ta)e !ith her ado5en o# her hand)erchie#s& to em(roider !ith her initials and crest+ (ut Annie (egged to (eallo!ed to ta)e onl% one& that Mrs. Gilles"ie might #irst see ho! she li)ed her !or).

-For& then& %ou see&- she said to her hus(and& as the% !ent home& -I shall (e a(le to ta)e it (ac)to her this $er% e$ening and as) her #or the hal#cro!n she o##ered me #or doing it& !hich Ishould not ha$e had the #ace to do !ith ele$en more o# them still in m% "ossession. I ha$e nodou(t o# her (eing satis#ied !ith m% !or)+ and in a !ee) I shall ha$e #inished the hal# o# them&and !e shall (e getting on s!immingl%.-

Throughout the !inter *ector !rote steadil% e$er% night& and e$er% night Annie sat (% his sideand em(roideredthough her em(roider% !as not 0all0 #or other "eo"le. Man% a time in a#ter



%ears did their thoughts go (ac) to that "eriod as the t%"e o# the ha""% li#e the% !ere ha$ingtogether.

The ne2t time *ector !ent to see Mr. Gilles"ie& that gentleman suggested that he should gi$e acourse o# lectures to ladies u"on nglish 3oetr%& (eginning !ith the Anglo9a2on "oets& o# !hom

Gilles"ie said he )ne! nothing& (ut !ould (e glad to learn a great deal. *e )ne! also& he said&some ladies in the neigh(orhood !illing to "a% a guinea each #or a course o#& sa%& hal#ado5ensuch lectures. The% !ould not cost *ector much time to "re"are& and !ould at once (ring in alittle mone%. Coleridge himsel#& he suggested& had done that )ind o# thing.

-Bes&- said *ector& -(ut he !as Coleridge. I ha$e nothing to sa% !orth sa%ing.-

-;ea$e %our hearers to ?udge o# that&- returned Gilles"ie. -Do %our (est& and ta)e %our chance. I "romise %ou t!o "u"ils at least not o$ercriticalm% !i#e and m%sel#. It is ama5ing ho! littlethose e$en !ho imagine the% lo$e it )no! a(out nglish "oetr%.-

-'ut !here should I #ind a room- *ector still o(?ected.

-/ould not this dra!ing room do- as)ed his #riend.

-9"lendidl%@- ans!ered *ector. -'ut !hat !ill Mrs. Gilles"ie sa% to it-

-9he and I are generall% o# one minda(out "eo"le& at least.-

-Then I !ill go home at once and set a(out #inding !hat to sa%.-

-And I !ill go out at once and (egin hunting %ou u" an audience.-

Gilles"ie succeeded e$en (etter than he had antici"ated+ and there !as at the #irst lecture a $er%#air gathering indeed. /hen it !as o$er& the one that )ne! most o# the su(?ect !as the %ounglecturer4s !i#e. The #irst course !as #ollo!ed (% t!o more& the third at the re,uest o# almost allhis hearers. And the result+ !as that& (e#ore the legac% #ell due& Annie had "aid all their de(ts andhad not contracted a single ne! one.

'ut !hen the ha""% da% da!ned Annie !as not a(le to go !ith her hus(and to recei$e themone%+ neither did *ector !ish that she had (een a(le& #or he !as glad to go alone. '% her sidela% a lo$el% !omanchild "eace#ull% aslee". *ector declared her the $er% image o# the child therain(o! le#t (ehind as it $anished.

ne da%& !hen the mother !as a little stronger& she called *ector to her (edside& and "la%#ull%claimed the right to (e the child4s godmother& and to gi$e it her name.

-And !ho else can ha$e so good a right- ans!ered *ector. Bet he !ondered ?ust a little thatAnnie should !ant the child named a#ter hersel#& and not a#ter her mother.



'ut !hen the time #or the child4s (a"tism came& Annie& !ho !ould hold the little one hersel#&!his"ered in the ear o# the clerg%man:

-The child4s name is Iris.-

I ha$e told m% little stor%. 'ut "erha"s m% readers !ill ha$e "atience !ith me !hile I add ?ustone little inch to the tail o# the mouse m% mountain has (orne.

*ector4s ne2t (oo)& although ne$er so "o"ular as in an% out!ard sense to (e called a success& %et!as not ,uite a #ailure e$en in regard to the mone% it (rought him& and e$en at the "resent da%has not ceased to (ring in something. Dou(tless it has #aults not a #e!& (ut& ha""il%& the man !ho)no!s them (est is he !ho !rote it& and he has ne$er had to re"ent that he did !rite it. And no!he has an audience on !hich he can de"end to !elcome !hate$er he !rites. That he has enemiesas !ell goes !ithout sa%ing& (ut the% are rather scorners than re$ilers& and the% ha$e not %etcaused him to retaliate once (% criticising an% !or) o# theirs. >either& I (elie$e& has he e$er#ailed to recogni5e !hat o# genuine and good !or) most o# them ha$e "roduced. ne o# the (est

results to himsel# o# his constant endea$or to a$oid ?ealous% is that he is still a(le to !rite $erse&and continues to ta)e more "leasure in it than in telling his tales. And still his o!n test o# thesuccess o# an% o# his (oo)s is the degree to !hich he en?o%ed it himsel# !hile !riting it.

*is legac% has long (een s"ent& and he has o#ten (een in straits since+ (ut he has al!a%s gatheredgood #rom those straits& and has ne$er again #elt as i# slo! !alls !ere closing in u"on him tocrush him. And he has ho"es (% God4s hel"& and !ith Annie4s& o# getting through at last& !ithoute$er ha$ing dishonored his high calling.

The last time I sa! him& he introduced his !i#e to meha$ing ?ust (een telling me his and herstor%!ith the rather enigmatical !ords:

-This is m% !i#e. Bou cannot see her $er% !ell& #or& li)e *amlet& I !ear her 4in m% heart4s core&a%e& in m% heart o# hearts@4-

The Giant4s *eart

There !as once a giant !ho li$ed on the (orders o# Giantland !here it touched on the countr% o#common "eo"le.

$er%thing in Giantland !as so (ig that the common "eo"le sa! onl% a mass o# a!#ul mountainsand clouds+ and no li$ing man had e$er come #rom it& as #ar as an%(od% )ne!& to tell !hat he hadseen in it.

9ome!here near these (orders& on the other side& (% the edge o# a great #orest& li$ed a la(ourer!ith his !i#e and a great man% children. ne da% Tric)se%/ee& as the% called her& teased her (rother 'u##%'o(& till he could not (ear it an% longer& and ga$e her a (o2 on the ear. Tric)se%/ee cried+ and 'u##%'o( !as so sorr% and so ashamed o# himsel# that he cried too& and ran o##into the !ood. *e !as so long gone that Tric)se%/ee (egan to (e #rightened& #or she !as $er%



#ond o# her (rother+ and she !as so distressed that she had #irst teased him and then cried& that atlast she ran into the !ood to loo) #or him& though there !as more chance o# losing hersel# than o# #inding him. And& indeed& so it seemed li)el% to turn out+ #or& running on !ithout loo)ing& she atlength #ound hersel# in a $alle% she )ne! nothing a(out. And no !onder+ #or !hat she thought!as a $alle% !ith round& roc)% sides& !as no other than the s"ace (et!een t!o o# the roots o# a

great tree that gre! on the (orders o# Giantland. 9he clim(ed o$er the side o# it& and !entto!ards !hat she too) #or a (lac)& roundto""ed mountain& #ar a!a%+ (ut !hich she soondisco$ered to (e close to her& and to (e a hollo! "lace so great that she could not tell !hat it !ashollo!ed out o#. 9taring at it& she #ound that it !as a door!a%+ and going nearer and staringharder& she sa! the door& #ar in& !ith a )noc)er o# iron u"on it& a great man% %ards a(o$e herhead& and as large as the anchor o# a (ig shi". >o!& no(od% had e$er (een un)ind to Tric)se%/ee& and there#ore she !as not a#raid o# an%(od%. For 'u##%'o(4s (o2 on the ear she did notthin) !orth considering. 9o s"%ing a little hole at the (ottom o# the door !hich had (een ni((led (% some giant mouse& she cre"t through it& and #ound hersel# in an enormous hall. 9he could notha$e seen the other end o# it at all& e2ce"t #or the great #ire that !as (urning there& diminished toa s"ar) in the distance. To!ards this #ire she ran as #ast as she could& and !as not #ar #rom it

!hen something #ell (e#ore her !ith a great clatter& o$er !hich she tum(led& and !ent rolling onthe #loor. 9he !as not much hurt ho!e$er& and got u" in a moment. Then she sa! that !hat shehad #allen o$er !as not unli)e a great iron (uc)et. /hen she e2amined it more closel%& shedisco$ered that it !as a thim(le+ and loo)ing u" to see !ho had dro""ed it& (eheld a huge #ace&!ith s"ectacles as (ig as the round !indo!s in a church& (ending o$er her& and loo)inge$er%!here #or the thim(le. Tric)se%/ee immediatel% laid hold o# it in (oth her arms& and li#tedit a(out an inch nearer to the nose o# the "eering giantess. This mo$ement made the old lad% see!here it !as& and& her #inger "o""ing into it& it $anished #rom the e%es o# Tric)se%/ee& (uriedin the #olds o# a !hite stoc)ing li)e a cloud in the s)%& !hich Mrs. Giant !as (us% darning. For it!as 9aturda% night& and her hus(and !ould !ear nothing (ut !hite stoc)ings on 9unda%. To (esure he did eat little children& (ut onl% 0$er%0 little ones+ and i# e$er it crossed his mind that it!as !rong to do so& he al!a%s said to himsel# that he !ore !hiter stoc)ings on 9unda% than an%other giant in all Giantland.

At the same instant Tric)se%/ee heard a sound li)e the !ind in a tree #ull o# lea$es& and couldnot thin) !hat it could (e+ till& loo)ing u"& she #ound that it !as the giantess !his"ering to her+and !hen she tried $er% hard she could hear !hat she said !ell enough.

-un a!a%& dear little girl&- she said& -as #ast as %ou can+ #or m% hus(and !ill (e home in a #e!minutes.-

-'ut I4$e ne$er (een naught% to %our hus(and&- said Tric)se%/ee& loo)ing u" in the giantess4s#ace.

-That doesn4t matter. Bou had (etter go. *e is #ond o# little children& "articularl% little girls.-

-h& then he !on4t hurt me.-

-I am not sure o# that. *e is so #ond o# them that he eats them u"+ and I am a#raid he couldn4thel" hurting %ou a little. *e4s a $er% good man though.-



-h@ then- (egan Tric)se%/ee& #eeling rather #rightened+ (ut (e#ore she could #inish hersentence she heard the sound o# #ootste"s $er% #ar a"art and $er% hea$%. The ne2t moment& !hoshould come running to!ards her& #ull s"eed& and as "ale as death& (ut 'u##%'o(. 9he held outher arms& and he ran into them. 'ut !hen she tried to )iss him& she onl% )issed the (ac) o# his

head+ #or his !hite #ace and round e%es !ere turned to the door.

-un& children+ run and hide@- said the giantess.

-Come& 'u##%&- said Tric)se%+ -%onder4s a great (ra)e+ !e4ll hide in it.-

The (ra)e !as a (ig (room+ and the% had ?ust got into the (ristles o# it !hen the% heard the dooro"en !ith a sound o# thunder& and in stal)ed the giant. Bou !ould ha$e thought %ou sa! the!hole earth through the door !hen he o"ened it& so !ide !as it+ and !hen he closed it& it !asli)e night#all.

-/here is that little (o%- he cried& !ith a $oice li)e the (ello!ing o# a cannon. -*e loo)ed a$er% nice (o% indeed. I am almost sure he cre"t through the mousehole at the (ottom o# the door./here is he& m% dear-

-I don4t )no!&- ans!ered the giantess.

-'ut %ou )no! it is !ic)ed to tell lies+ don4t %ou& m% dear- retorted the giant.

->o!& %ou ridiculous old Thunderthum"@- said his !i#e& !ith a smile as (road as the sea in thesun& -ho! can I mend %our !hite stoc)ings and loo) a#ter little (o%s Bou ha$e got "lent% to last%ou o$er 9unda%& I am sure. ust loo) !hat good little (o%s the% are@-

Tric)se%/ee and 'u##%'o( "eered through the (ristles& and disco$ered a ro! o# little (o%s&a(out a do5en& !ith $er% #at #aces and goggle e%es& sitting (e#ore the #ire& and loo)ing stu"idl%into it. Thunderthum" intended the most o# these #or "ic)ling& and !as #eeding them !ell (e#oresalting them. >o! and then& ho!e$er& he could not )ee" his teeth o## them& and !ould eat one (%the (%e& !ithout salt.

*e strode u" to the !retched children. >o!& !hat made them $er% !retched indeed !as& thatthe% )ne! i# the% could onl% )ee" #rom eating& and gro! thin& the giant !ould disli)e them& andturn them out to #ind their !a% home+ (ut not!ithstanding this& so greed% !ere the%& that the% ateas much as e$er the% could hold. The giantess& !ho #ed them& com#orted hersel# !ith thin)ingthat the% !ere not real (o%s and girls& (ut onl% little "igs "retending to (e (o%s and girls.

->o! tell me the truth&- cried the giant& (ending his #ace do!n o$er them. The% shoo) !ithterror& and e$er% one ho"ed it !as some(od% else the giant li)ed (est. -/here is the little (o%that ran into the hall ?ust no! /hoe$er tells me a lie shall (e instantl% (oiled.-

-*e4s in the (room&- cried one dough#aced (o%. -*e4s in there& and a little girl !ith him.-



-The naught% children&- cried the giant& -to hide #rom 0me0@- And he made a stride to!ards the (room.

-Catch hold o# the (ristles& 'o((%. Get right into a tu#t& and hold on&- cried Tric)se%/ee& ?ust intime.

The giant caught u" the (room& and seeing nothing under it& set it do!n again !ith a #orce thatthre! them (oth on the #loor. *e then made t!o strides to the (o%s& caught the dough#aced one (% the nec)& too) the lid o## a great "ot that !as (oiling on the #ire& "o""ed him in as i# he had (een a trussed chic)en& "ut the lid on again& and sa%ing& -There& (o%s@ 9ee !hat comes o# l%ing@-as)ed no more ,uestions+ #or& as he al!a%s )e"t his !ord& he !as a#raid he might ha$e to do thesame to them all+ and he did not li)e (oiled (o%s. *e li)e to eat them cris"& as radishes& !hether#or)ed or not& ought to (e eaten. *e then sat do!n& and as)ed his !i#e i# his su""er !as read%.9he loo)ed into the "ot& and thro!ing the (o% out !ith the ladle& as i# he had (een a (lac) (eetlethat had tum(led in and had had the !orst o# it& ans!ered that she thought it !as. /hereu"on herose to hel" her+ and ta)ing the "ot #rom the #ire& "oured the !hole contents& (u((ling and

s"lashing& into a dish li)e a $at. Then the% sat do!n to su""er. The children in the (room couldnot see !hat the% had+ (ut it seemed to agree !ith them& #or the giant tal)ed li)e thunder& and thegiantess ans!ered li)e the sea& and the% gre! chattier and chattier. At length the giant said&

-I don4t #eel ,uite com#orta(le a(out that heart o# mine.- And as he s"o)e& instead o# la%ing hishand on his (osom& he !a$ed it a!a% to!ards the corner !here the children !ere "ee"ing #romthe (room(ristles& li)e #rightened little mice.

-/ell& %ou )no!& m% darling Thunderthum"&- ans!ered his !i#e& -I al!a%s thought it ought to (enearer home. 'ut %ou )no! (est& o# course.-

-*a@ ha@ Bou don4t )no! !here it is& !i#e. I mo$ed it a month ago.-

-/hat a man %ou are& Thunderthum"@ Bou trust an% creature ali$e rather than %our !i#e.-

*ere the giantess ga$e a so( !hich sounded e2actl% li)e a !a$e going #lo" into the mouth o# aca$e u" to the roo#.

-/here ha$e %ou got it no!- she resumed& chec)ing her emotion.

-/ell& Doodlem& I don4t mind telling 0%ou0&- ans!ered the giant& soothingl%. -The great sheeagle has got it #or a nest egg. 9he sits on it night and da%& and thin)s she !ill (ring the greatesteagle out o# it that e$er shar"ened his (ea) on the roc)s o# Mount 9)%crac). I can !arrant no oneelse !ill touch it !hile she has got it. 'ut she is rather ca"ricious& and I con#ess I am not eas%a(out it+ #or the least scratch o# one o# her cla!s !ould do #or me at once. And she 0has0 cla!s.-

I re#er an%one !ho dou(ts this "art o# m% stor% to certain chronicles o# Giantland "reser$edamong the Celtic nations. It !as ,uite a common thing #or a giant to "ut his heart out to nurse& (ecause he did not li)e the trou(le and res"onsi(ilit% o# doing it himsel#+ although I must con#essit !as a dangerous sort o# "lan to ta)e& es"eciall% !ith such a delicate $iscus as the heart.



All this time 'u##%'o( and Tric)se%/ee !ere listening !ith long ears.

-h@- thought Tric)se%/ee& -i# I could (ut #ind the giant4s cruel heart& !ouldn4t I gi$e it as,uee5e@-

The giant and giantess !ent on tal)ing #or a long time. The giantess )e"t ad$ising the giant tohide his heart some!here in the house+ (ut he seemed a#raid o# the ad$antage it !ould gi$e hero$er him.

-Bou could hide it at the (ottom o# the #lour(arrel&- said she.

-That !ould ma)e me #eel cho)e%&- ans!ered he.

-/ell& in the coalcellar. r in the dustholethat4s the "lace@ >o one !ould thin) o# loo)ing #or%our heart in the dusthole.-

-/orse and !orse@- cried the giant.

-/ell& the !ater(utt&- suggested she.

->o& no+ it !ould gro! s"ong% there&- said he.

-/ell& !hat 0!ill0 %ou do !ith it-

-I !ill lea$e it a month longer !here it is& and then I !ill gi$e it to the Eueen o# the <angaroos&and she !ill carr% it in her "ouch #or me. It is (est to change its "lace& %ou )no!& lest m% enemiesshould scent it out. 'ut& dear Doodlem& it4s a #retting care to ha$e a heart o# one4s o!n to loo)a#ter. The res"onsi(ilit% is too much #or me. I# it !ere not #or a (ite o# a radish no! and then& Ine$er could (ear it.-

*ere the giant loo)ed lo$ingl% to!ards the ro! o# little (o%s (% the #ire& all o# !hom !erenodding& or aslee" on the #loor.

-/h% don4t %ou trust it to me& dear Thunderthum"- said his !i#e. -I !ould ta)e the (est "ossi(lecare o# it.-

-I don4t dou(t it& m% lo$e. 'ut the res"onsi(ilit% !ould (e too much #or 0%ou0. Bou !ould nolonger (e m% darling& lighthearted& air%& laughing Doodlem. It !ould trans#orm %ou into a hea$%&o""ressed !oman& !ear% o# li#eas I am.-

The giant closed his e%es and "retended to go to slee". *is !i#e got his stoc)ings& and !ent on!ith her darning. 9oon the giant4s "retence (ecame realit%& and the giantess (egan to nod o$er her !or).



->o!& 'u##%&- !his"ered Tric)se%/ee& -no!4s our time. I thin) it4s moonlight& and !e had (etter (e o##. There4s a door !ith a hole #or the cat ?ust (ehind us.-

-All right&- said 'o(+ -I4m read%.-

9o the% got out o# the (room(ra)e and cre"t to the door. 'ut to their great disa""ointment& !henthe% got through it& the% #ound themsel$es in a sort o# shed. It !as #ull o# tu(s and things& and&though it !as (uilt o# !ood onl%& the% could not #ind a crac).

-;et us tr% this hole&- said Tric)se%+ #or the giant and giantess !ere slee"ing (ehind them& andthe% dared not go (ac).

-All right&- said 'o(.

*e seldom said an%thing else than 0All right0.

>o! this hole !as in a mound that came in through the !all o# the shed& and !ent along the#loor #or some distance. The% cra!led into it& and #ound it $er% dar). 'ut gro"ing their !a%along& the% soon came to a small crac)& through !hich the% sa! grass& "ale in the moonshine. Asthe% cre"t on& the% #ound the hole (egan to get !ider and lead u"!ards.

-/hat is that noise o# rushing- said 'u##%'o(.

-I can4t tell&- re"lied Tric)se%+ -#or& %ou see& I don4t )no! !hat !e are in.-

The #act !as& the% !ere cree"ing along a channel in the heart o# a giant tree+ and the noise the%heard !as the noise o# the sa" rushing along in its !ooden "i"es. /hen the% laid their ears to the!all& the% heard it gurgling along !ith a "leasant noise.

-It sounds )ind and good&- said Tric)se%. -It is !ater running. >o! it must (e running #romsome!here to some!here. I thin) !e had (etter go on& and !e shall come some!here.-

It !as no! rather di##icult to go on& #or the% had to clim( as i# the% !ere clim(ing a hill+ and no!the "assage !as !ide. >earl% !orn out& the% sa! light o$erhead at last& and cree"ing through acrac) into the o"en air& #ound themsel$es on the #or) o# a huge tree. A great& (road& une$en s"acela% around them& out o# !hich s"read (oughs in e$er% direction& the smallest o# them as (ig asthe (iggest tree in the countr% o# common "eo"le. $erhead !ere lea$es enough to su""l% all thetrees the% had e$er seen. >ot much moonlight could come through& (ut the lea$es !ouldglimmer !hite in the !ind at times. The tree !as #ull o# giant (irds. $er% no! and then& one!ould s!ee" through& !ith a great noise. 'ut& e2ce"t an occasional chir"& sounding li)e a shrill "i"e in a great organ& the% made no noise. All at once an o!l (egan to hoot. *e thought he !assinging. As soon as he (egan& other (irds re"lied& ma)ing rare game o# him. To theirastonishment& the children #ound the% could understand e$er% !ord the% sang. And !hat the%sang !as something li)e this:

-I !ill sing a song.



I4m the !l.- -9ing a song& %ou 9ingsong =gl% #o!l@ /hat !ill %ou sing a(out& >ight in and Da% out-

-9ing a(out the night+ I4m the !l.- -Bou could not see #or the light& 9tu"id #o!l.- -h@ the Moon@ and the De!@ And the 9hado!s@tu!hoo@-

The o!l s"read out his silent& so#t& sl% !ings& and lighting (et!een Tric)se%/ee and 'u##%'o(& nearl% smothered them& closing u" one under each !ing. It !as li)e (eing (uried in a do!n

(ed. 'ut the o!l did not li)e an%thing (et!een his sides and his !ings& so he o"ened his !ingsagain& and the children made haste to get out. Tric)se%/ee immediatel% !ent in #ront o# the (ird& and loo)ing u" into his huge #ace& !hich !as as round as the e%es o# the giantess4ss"ectacles& and much (igger& dro""ed a "rett% courtes%& and said&-3lease& Mr. !l& I !ant to!his"er to %ou.-

-er% !ell& small child&- ans!ered the o!l& loo)ing im"ortant& and stoo"ing his ear to!ards her.-/hat is it-

-3lease tell me !here the eagle li$es that sits on the giant4s heart.-

-h& %ou naught% child@ That4s a secret. For shame@-

And !ith a great hiss that terri#ied them& the o!l #le! into the tree. All (irds are #ond o# secrets+ (ut not man% o# them can )ee" them so !ell as the o!l.

9o the children !ent on (ecause the% did not )no! !hat else to do. The% #ound the !a% $er%rough and di##icult& the tree !as so #ull o# hum"s and hollo!s. >o! and then the% "lashed into a "ool o# rain+ no! and then the% came u"on t!igs gro!ing out o# the trun) !here the% had no (usiness& and the% !ere as large as #ullgro!n "o"lars. 9ometimes the% came u"on greatcushions o# so#t moss& and on one o# them the% la% do!n and rested. 'ut the% had not lain long (e#ore the% s"ied a large nightingale sitting on a (ranch& !ith its (right e%es loo)ing u" at themoon. In a moment more he (egan to sing& and the (irds a(out him (egan to re"l%& (ut in adi##erent tone #rom that in !hich the% had re"lied to the o!l. h& the (irds did call thenightingale such "rett% names@ The nightingale sang& and the (irds re"lied li)e this:

-I !ill sing a song. I4m the nightingale.- -9ing a song& long& long& ;ittle >e$er#ail@



/hat !ill %ou sing a(out& ;ight in or light out-

-9ing a(out the light Gone a!a%+

Do!n& a!a%& and out o# sight 3oor lost Da%@ Mourning #or the Da% dead& 4er his dim (ed.-

The nightingale sang so s!eetl%& that the children !ould ha$e #allen aslee" (ut #or #ear o# losingan% o# the song. /hen the nightingale sto""ed the% got u" and !andered on. The% did not )no!!here the% !ere going& (ut the% thought it (est to )ee" going on& (ecause then the% might comeu"on something or other. The% !ere $er% sorr% the% had #orgotten to as) the nightingale a(outthe eagle4s nest& (ut his music had "ut e$er%thing else out o# their heads. The% resol$ed& ho!e$er&not to #orget the ne2t time the% had a chance. 9o the% !ent on and on& till the% !ere (oth tired&

and Tric)se%/ee said at last& tr%ing to laugh&

-I declare m% legs #eel ?ust li)e a Dutch doll4s.-

-Then here4s the "lace to go to (ed in&- said 'u##%'o(.

The% stood at the edge o# a last %ear4s nest& and loo)ed do!n !ith delight into the round& moss%ca$e. Then the% cre"t gentl% in& and& l%ing do!n in each other4s arms& #ound it so dee"& and!arm& and com#orta(le& and so#t& that the% !ere soon #ast aslee".

>o!& close (eside them& in a hollo!& !as another nest& in !hich la% a lar) and his !i#e+ and thechildren !ere a!a)ened& $er% earl% in the morning& (% a dis"ute (et!een Mr. and Mrs. ;ar).

-;et me u"&- said the lar).

-It is not time&- said the lar)4s !i#e.

-It is&- said the lar)& rather rudel%. -The dar)ness is ,uite thin. I can almost see m% o!n (ea).-

->onsense@- said the lar)4s !i#e. -Bou )no! %ou came home %esterda% morning ,uite !orn out%ou had to #l% so $er% high (e#ore %ou sa! him. I am sure he !ould not mind i# %ou too) it alittle easier. Do (e ,uiet and go to slee" again.-

-That4s not it at all&- said the lar). -*e doesn4t !ant me. I !ant him. ;et me u"& I sa%.-

*e (egan to sing+ and Tric)se%/ee and 'u##%'o(& ha$ing no! learned the !a%& ans!eredhim:

-I !ill sing a song. I4m the ;ar).-



-9ing& sing& Throatstrong& ;ittle <illthedar). /hat !ill %ou sing a(out& >o! the night is out-

-I can onl% call+ I can4t thin). ;et me u"that4s all. ;et me drin)@ Thirsting all the long night For a drin) o# light.-

'% this time the lar) !as standing on the edge o# his nest and loo)ing at the children.

-3oor little things@ Bou can4t #l%&- said the lar).

->o+ (ut !e can loo) u"&- said Tric)se%.

-Ah& %ou don4t )no! !hat it is to see the $er% #irst o# the sun.-

-'ut !e )no! !hat it is to !ait till he comes. *e4s no !orse #or %our seeing him #irst& is he-

-h no& certainl% not&- ans!ered the lar)& !ith condescension& and then& (ursting into his 0u(ilate0& he s"rang alo#t& cla""ing his !ings li)e a cloc) running do!n.

-Tell us !here- (egan 'u##%'o(.

'ut the lar) !as out o# sight. *is song !as all that !as le#t o# him. That !as e$er%!here& and he!as no!here.

-9el#ish (ird@- said 'u##%. -It4s all $er% !ell #or lar)s to go hunting the sun& (ut the% ha$e no (usiness to des"ise their neigh(ours& #or all that.-

-Can I (e o# an% use to %ou- said a s!eet (ird$oice out o# the nest.

This !as the lar)4s !i#e& !ho sta%ed at home !ith the %oung lar)s !hile her hus(and !ent tochurch.

-h@ than) %ou. I# %ou "lease&- ans!ered Tric)se%/ee.

And u" "o""ed a "rett% (ro!n head+ and then u" came a (ro!n #eather% (od%+ and last o# allcame the slender legs on to the edge o# the nest. There she turned& and& loo)ing do!n into thenest& #rom !hich came a !hole litan% o# chir"ings #or (rea)#ast& said& -;ie still& little ones.- Thenshe turned to the children.



-M% hus(and is <ing o# the ;ar)s&- she said.

'u##%'o( too) o## his ca"& and Tric)se%/ee courtesied $er% lo!.

-h& it4s not me&- said the (ird& loo)ing $er% sh%. -I am onl% his !i#e. It4s m% hus(and.- And she

loo)ed u" a#ter him into the s)%& !hence his song !as still #alling li)e a sho!er o# musicalhailstones. 3erha"s 0she0 could see him.

-*e4s a s"lendid (ird&- said 'u##%'o(+ -onl% %ou )no! he 0!ill0 get u" a little too earl%.-

-h& no@ he doesn4t. It4s onl% his !a%& %ou )no!. 'ut tell me !hat I can do #or %ou.-

-Tell us& "lease& ;ad% ;ar)& !here the sheeagle li$es that sits on Giant Thunderthum"4s heart.-

-h@ that is a secret.-

-Did %ou "romise not to tell-

->o+ (ut lar)s ought to (e discreet. The% see more than other (irds.-

-'ut %ou don4t #l% u" high li)e %our hus(and& do %ou-

->ot o#ten. 'ut it4s no matter. I come to )no! things #or all that.-

-Do tell me& and I !ill sing %ou a song&- said Tric)se%/ee.

-Can %ou sing tooBou ha$e got no !ings@-

-Bes. And I !ill sing %ou a song I learned the other da% a(out a lar) and his !i#e.-

-3lease do&- said the lar)4s !i#e. -'e ,uiet& children& and listen.-

Tric)se%/ee !as $er% glad she ha""ened to )no! a song !hich !ould "lease the lar)4s !i#e& atleast& !hate$er the lar) himsel# might ha$e thought o# it& i# he had heard it. 9o she sang&

-4Good morro!& m% lord@4 in the s)% alone& 9ang the lar)& as the sun ascended his throne. 49hine on me& m% lord+ I onl% am come& # all %our ser$ants& to !elcome %ou home. I ha$e #lo!n a !hole hour& right u"& I s!ear& To catch the #irst shine o# %our golden hair@4

-4Must I than) %ou& then&4 said the )ing& 49ir ;ar)& For #l%ing so high& and hating the dar) Bou as) a #ull cu" #or hal# a thirst: *al# is lo$e o# me& and hal# lo$e to (e #irst.



There4s man% a (ird that ma)es no haste& 'ut !aits till I come. That4s as much to m% taste.

-And the )ing hid his head in a tur(an o# cloud+ And the lar) sto""ed singing& ,uite $e2ed and co!ed.

'ut he #le! u" higher& and thought& 4Anon& The !rath o# the )ing !ill (e o$er and gone& And his cro!n& shining out o# its cloud% #old& /ill change m% (ro!n #eathers to a glor% o# gold.4

-9o he #le!& !ith the strength o# a lar) he #le!. 'ut as he rose& the cloud rose too+ And not a gleam o# the golden hair Came through the de"th o# the mist% air+ Till& !ear% !ith #l%ing& !ith sighing sore& The strong sunsee)er could do no more.

-*is !ings had had no chrism o# gold& And his #eathers #elt !ithered and !orn and old+ 9o he ,ui$ered and san)& and dro""ed li)e a stone. And there on his nest& !here he le#t her& alone& 9at his little !i#e on her little eggs& <ee"ing them !arm !ith !ings and legs.

-Did I sa% alone Ah& no such thing@ Full in her #ace !as shining the )ing. 4/elcome& 9ir ;ar)@ Bou loo) tired&4 said he. 40="0 is not al!a%s the (est !a% to me. /hile %ou ha$e (een singing so high and a!a%& I4$e (een shining to %our little !i#e all da%.4

-*e had set his cro!n all a(out the nest& And out o# the midst shone her little (ro!n (reast+ And so glorious !as she in russet gold& That #or !onder and a!e 9ir ;ar) gre! cold. *e "o""ed his head under her !ing& and la% As still as a stone& till the )ing !as a!a%.-

As soon as Tric)se%/ee had #inished her song& the lar)4s !i#e (egan a lo!& s!eet& modest littlesong o# her o!n+ and a#ter she had "i"ed a!a% #or t!o or three minutes& she said&

-Bou dear children& !hat can I do #or %ou-

-Tell us !here the sheeagle li$es& "lease&- said Tric)se%/ee.



-/ell& I don4t thin) there can (e much harm in telling such !ise& good children&- said ;ad% ;ar)+-I am sure %ou don4t !ant to do an% mischie#.-

-h& no+ ,uite the contrar%&- said 'u##%'o(.

-Then I4ll tell %ou. 9he li$es on the $er% to"most "ea) o# Mount 9)%crac)+ and the onl% !a% toget u" is to clim( on the s"iders4 !e(s that co$er it #rom to" to (ottom.-

-That4s rather serious&- said Tric)se%/ee.

-'ut %ou don4t !ant to go u"& %ou #oolish little thing@ Bou can4t go. And !hat do %ou !ant to gou" #or-

-That is a secret&- said Tric)se%/ee.

-/ell& it4s no (usiness o# mine&- re?oined ;ad% ;ar)& a little o##ended& and ,uite $e2ed that she

had told them. 9o she #le! a!a% to #ind some (rea)#ast #or her little ones& !ho (% this time !erechir"ing $er% im"atientl%. The children loo)ed at each other& ?oined hands& and !al)ed o##.

In a minute more the sun !as u"& and the% soon reached the outside o# the tree. The (ar) !as so)no((% and rough& and #ull o# t!igs& that the% managed to get do!n& though not !ithout greatdi##icult%. Then& #ar a!a% to the north& the% sa! a huge "ea)& li)e the s"ire o# a church& goingright u" into the s)%. The% thought this must (e Mount 9)%crac)& and turned their #aces to!ardsit. As the% !ent on& the% sa! a giant or t!o& no! and then& striding a(out the #ields or throughthe !oods& (ut the% )e"t out o# their !a%. >or !ere the% in much danger+ #or it !as onl% one ort!o o# the (order giants that !ere so $er% #ond o# children.

At last the% came to the #oot o# Mount 9)%crac). It stood in a "lain alone& and shot right u"& Idon4t )no! ho! man% thousand #eet& into the air& a long& narro!& s"earli)e mountain. The !hole#ace o# it& #rom to" to (ottom& !as co$ered !ith a net!or) o# s"iders4 !e(s& !ith threads o#$arious si5es& #rom that o# sil) to that o# !hi"cord. The !e(s shoo) and ,ui$ered& and !a$ed inthe sun& glittering li)e sil$er. All a(out ran huge greed% s"iders& catching huge sill% #lies& andde$ouring them.

*ere the% sat do!n to consider !hat could (e done. The s"iders did not heed them& (ut ate a!a%at the #lies.>o!& at the #oot o# the mountain& and all round it& !as a ring o# !ater& not $er% (road& (ut $er% dee". As the% sat !atching them& one o# the s"iders& !hose !e( !as !o$enacross this !ater& someho! or other lost his hold& and #ell in on his (ac). Tric)se%/ee and'u##%'o( ran to his assistance& and la%ing hold each o# one o# his legs& succeeded& !ith the hel"o# the other legs& !hich struggled s"ider#ull%& in getting him out u"on dr% land. As soon as hehad sha)en himsel#& and dried himsel# a little& the s"ider turned to the children& sa%ing&

-And no!& !hat can I do #or %ou-

-Tell us& "lease&- said the%& -ho! !e can get u" the mountain to the sheeagle4s nest.-



->othing is easier&- ans!ered the s"ider. -ust run u" there& and tell them all I sent %ou& andno(od% !ill mind %ou.-

-'ut !e ha$en4t got cla!s li)e %ou& Mr. 9"ider&- said 'u##%.

-Ah@ no more %ou ha$e& "oor un"ro$ided creatures@ 9till& I thin) !e can manage it. Come home!ith me.-

-Bou !on4t eat us& !ill %ou- said 'u##%.

-M% dear child&- ans!ered the s"ider& in a tone o# in?ured dignit%& -I eat nothing (ut !hat ismischie$ous or useless. Bou ha$e hel"ed me& and no! I !ill hel" %ou.-

The children rose at once& and clim(ing as !ell as the% could& reached the s"ider4s nest in thecentre o# the !e(. >or did the% #ind it $er% di##icult+ #or !hene$er too great a ga" came& thes"ider s"inning a strong cord stretched it ?ust !here the% !ould ha$e chosen to "ut their #eet

ne2t. *e le#t them in his nest& a#ter (ringing them t!o enormous hone%(ags& ta)en #rom (eesthat he had caught+ (ut "resentl% a(out si2 o# the !isest o# the s"iders came (ac) !ith him. It!as rather horri(le to loo) u" and see them all round the mouth o# the nest& loo)ing do!n onthem in contem"lation& as i# !ondering !hether the% !ould (e nice eating. At length one o# themsaid&-Tell us trul% !hat %ou !ant !ith the eagle& and !e !ill tr% to hel" %ou.-

Then Tric)se%/ee told them that there !as a giant on the (orders !ho treated little children no (etter than radishes& and that the% had narro!l% esca"ed (eing eaten (% him+ that the% had #oundout that the great sheeagle o# Mount 9)%crac) !as at "resent sitting on his heart+ and that& i#the% could onl% get hold o# the heart& the% !ould soon teach the giant (etter (eha$iour.

-'ut&- said their host& -i# %ou get at the heart o# the giant& %ou !ill #ind it as large as one o# %ourele"hants. /hat can %ou do !ith it-

-The least scratch !ill )ill it&- re"lied 'u##%'o(.

-Ah@ (ut %ou might do (etter than that&- said the s"ider.->o! !e ha$e resol$ed to hel" %ou.*ere is a little (ag o# s"ider?uice. The giants cannot (ear s"iders& and this ?uice is dread#ul "oison to them. /e are all read% to go u" !ith %ou& and dri$e the eagle a!a%. Then %ou must "utthe heart into this other (ag& and (ring it do!n !ith %ou+ #or then the giant !ill (e in %our "o!er.-

-'ut ho! can !e do that- said 'u##%. -The (ag is not much (igger than a "udding(ag.-

-'ut it is as large as %ou !ill (e a(le to carr%.-

-Bes+ (ut !hat are !e to do !ith the heart-

-3ut it in the (ag& to (e sure. nl%& #irst& %ou must s,uee5e a dro" out o# the other (ag u"on it.Bou !ill see !hat !ill ha""en.-



-er% !ell+ !e !ill do as %ou tell us&- said Tric)se%/ee. -And no!& i# %ou "lease& ho! shall !ego-

-h& that4s our (usiness&- said the #irst s"ider. -Bou come !ith me& and m% grand#ather !ill ta)e

%our (rother. Get u".-

9o Tric)se%/ee mounted on the narro! "art o# the s"ider4s (ac)& and held #ast. And 'u##%'o(got on the grand#ather4s (ac). And u" the% scram(led& o$er one !e( a#ter another& u" and u"so#ast@ And e$er% s"ider #ollo!ed+ so that& !hen Tric)se%/ee loo)ed (ac)& she sa! a !hole arm%o# s"iders scram(ling a#ter them.

-/hat can !e !ant !ith so man%- she thought+ (ut she said nothing.

The moon !as no! u"& and it !as a s"lendid sight (elo! and around them. All Giantland !ass"read out under them& !ith its great hills& la)es& trees& and animals. And all a(o$e them !as the

clear hea$en& and Mount 9)%crac) rising into it& !ith its endless ladders o# s"ider!e(s&glittering li)e cords made o# moon(eams. And u" the moon(eams !ent& cra!ling& andscram(ling& and racing& a huge arm% o# huge s"iders.

At length the% reached all (ut the $er% summit& !here the% sto""ed. Tric)se%/ee and 'u##%'o( could see a(o$e them a great glo(e o# #eathers& that #inished o## the mountain li)e anornamental )no(.

-'ut ho! shall !e dri$e her o##- said 'u##%.

-/e4ll soon manage that&- ans!ered the grand#athers"ider. -Come on %ou& do!n there.-

=" rushed the !hole arm%& "ast the children& o$er the edge o# the nest& on to the sheeagle& and (uried themsel$es in her #eathers. In a moment she (ecame $er% restless& and !ent "ec)ing a(out!ith her (ea). All at once she s"read out her !ings& !ith a sound li)e a !hirl!ind& and #le! o##to (athe in the sea+ and then the s"iders (egan to dro" #rom her in all directions on theirgossamer !ings. The children had to hold #ast to )ee" the !ind o# the eagle4s #light #rom (lo!ingthem o##. As soon as it !as o$er& the% loo)ed into the nest& and there la% the giant4s heartana!#ul and ugl% thing.

-Ma)e haste& child@- said Tric)se%4s s"ider.

9o Tric)se% too) her (ag& and s,uee5ed a dro" out o# it u"on the heart. 9he thought she heard thegiant gi$e a #aro## roar o# "ain& and she nearl% #ell #rom her seat !ith terror. The heart instantl% (egan to shrin). It shrun) and shri$elled till it !as nearl% gone+ and 'u##%'o( caught it u" and "ut it into his (ag. Then the t!o s"iders turned and !ent do!n again as #ast as the% could. 'e#orethe% got to the (ottom& the% heard the shrie)s o# the sheeagle o$er the loss o# her egg+ (ut thes"iders told them not to (e alarmed& #or her e%es !ere too (ig to see them.'% the time the%reached the #oot o# the mountain& all the s"iders had got home& and !ere (us% again catching#lies& as i# nothing had ha""ened.



A#ter rene!ed than)s to their #riends& the children set o##& carr%ing the giant4s heart !ith them.

-I# %ou should #ind it at all trou(lesome& ?ust gi$e it a little more s"ider?uice directl%&- said thegrand#ather& as the% too) their lea$e.

>o!& the giant had gi$en an a!#ul roar o# "ain the moment the% anointed his heart& and had#allen do!n in a #it& in !hich he la% so long that all the (o%s might ha$e esca"ed i# the% had not (een so #at. ne did& and got home in sa#et%. For da%s the giant !as una(le to s"ea). The #irst!ords he uttered !ere&

-h& m% heart@ m% heart@-

-Bour heart is sa#e enough& dear Thunderstum"&- said his !i#e. -eall%& a man o# %our si5e oughtnot to (e so ner$ous and a""rehensi$e. I am ashamed o# %ou.-

-Bou ha$e no heart& Doodlem&- ans!ered he. -I assure %ou that at this moment mine is in thegreatest danger. It has #allen into the hands o# #oes& though !ho the% are I cannot tell.-

*ere he #ainted again+ #or Tric)se%/ee& #inding the heart (egin to s!ell a little& had gi$en it theleast touch o# s"ider?uice.

Again he reco$ered& and said&

-Dear Doodlem& m% heart is coming (ac) to me. It is coming nearer and nearer.-

A#ter l%ing silent #or hours& he e2claimed&

-It is in the house& I )no!@-

And he ?um"ed u" and !al)ed a(out& loo)ing in e$er% corner.

As he rose& Tric)se%/ee and 'u##%'o( came out o# the hole in the treeroot& and through thecathole in the door& and !al)ed (oldl% to!ards the giant. 'oth )e"t their e%es (us% !atchinghim. ;ed (% the lo$e o# his o!n heart& the giant soon s"ied them& and staggered #uriousl%to!ards them.

-I !ill eat %ou& %ou $ermin@- he cried. -*ere !ith m% heart@-

Tric)se% ga$e the heart a shar" "inch. Do!n #ell the giant on his )nees& (lu((ering& and cr%ing&and (egging #or his heart.

-Bou shall ha$e it& i# %ou (eha$e %oursel# "ro"erl%&- said Tric)se%.

-*o! shall I (eha$e m%sel# "ro"erl%- as)ed he& !him"ering.



-Ta)e all those (o%s and girls& and carr% them home at once.-

-I4m not a(le+ I4m too ill. I should #all do!n.-

-Ta)e them u" directl%.-

-I can4t& till %ou gi$e me m% heart.-

-er% !ell@- said Tric)se%+ and she ga$e the heart another "inch.

The giant ?um"ed to his #eet& and catching u" all the children& thrust some into his !aistcoat "oc)ets& some into his (reast "oc)et& "ut t!o or three into his hat& and too) a (undle o# themunder each arm. Then he staggered to the door.

All this time "oor Doodlem !as sitting in her armchair& cr%ing& and mending a !hite stoc)ing.

The giant led the !a% to the (orders. *e could not go so #ast (ut that 'u##% and Tric)se%managed to )ee" u" !ith him. /hen the% reached the (orders& the% thought it !ould (e sa#er tolet the children #ind their o!n !a% home. 9o the% told him to set them do!n. *e o(e%ed.

-*a$e %ou "ut them all do!n& Mr. Thunderthum"- as)ed Tric)se%/ee.

-Bes&- said the giant.

-That4s a lie@- s,uea)ed a little $oice+ and out came a head #rom his !aistcoat "oc)et.

Tric)se%/ee "inched the heart till the giant roared !ith "ain.

-Bou4re not a gentleman. Bou tell stories&- she said.

-*e !as the thinnest o# the lot&- said Thunderthum"& cr%ing.

-Are %ou all there no!& children- as)ed Tric)se%.

-Bes& ma4am&- returned the%& a#ter counting themsel$es $er% care#ull%& and !ith some di##icult%+#or the% !ere all stu"id children.

->o!&- said Tric)se%/ee to the giant& -!ill %ou "romise to carr% o## no more children& andne$er to eat a child again all %ou li#e-

-Bes& %es@ I "romise&- ans!ered Thunderthum"& so((ing.

-And %ou !ill ne$er cross the (orders o# Giantland-

->e$er.-



-And %ou shall ne$er again !ear !hite stoc)ings on a 9unda%& all %our li#e long.Do %ou "romise-

The giant hesitated at this& and (egan to e2"ostulate+ (ut Tric)se%/ee& (elie$ing it !ould (egood #or his morals& insisted+ and the giant "romised.

Then she re,uired o# him& that& !hen she ga$e him (ac) his heart& he should gi$e it to his !i#e tota)e care o# #or him #or e$er a#ter.

The "oor giant #ell on his )nees& and (egan again to (eg. 'ut Tric)se%/ee gi$ing the heart aslight "inch& he (a!led out&

-Bes& %es@ Doodlem shall ha$e it& I s!ear. nl% she must not "ut it in the #lour(arrel& or in thedusthole.-

-Certainl% not. Ma)e %our o!n (argain !ith her.And %ou "romise not to inter#ere !ith m%

(rother and me& or to ta)e an% re$enge #or !hat !e ha$e done-

-Bes& %es& m% dear children+ I "romise e$er%thing. Do& "ra%& ma)e haste and gi$e me (ac) m% "oor heart.-

-/ait there& then& till I (ring it to %ou.-

-Bes& %es. nl% ma)e haste& #or I #eel $er% #aint.-

Tric)se%/ee (egan to undo the mouth o# the (ag. 'ut 'u##%'o(& !ho had got $er% )no!ing onhis tra$els& too) out his )ni#e !ith the "retence o# cutting the string+ (ut& in realit%& to (e "re"ared#or an% emergenc%.

>o sooner !as the heart out o# the (ag& than it e2"anded to the si5e o# a (ulloc)+ and the giant&!ith a %ell o# rage and $engeance& rushed on the t!o children& !ho had ste""ed side!a%s #romthe terri(le heart. 'ut 'u##%'o( !as too ,uic) #or Thunderthum". *e s"rang to the heart& and (uried his )ni#e in it& u" to the hilt. A #ountain o# (lood s"outed #rom it+ and !ith a dread#ulgroan the giant #ell dead at the #eet o# little Tric)se%/ee& !ho could not hel" (eing sorr% #orhim a#ter all.

The Gi#ts # The Child Christ

C*A3T I.

-M% hearers& !e gro! old&- said the "reacher. -'e it summer or (e it s"ring !ith us no!& autumn!ill soon settle do!n into !inter& that !inter !hose sno! melts onl% in the gra$e. The !ind o#the !orld sets #or the tom(. 9ome o# us re?oice to (e s!e"t along on its s!i#t !ings& and hear it (ello!ing in the hollo!s o# earth and s)%+ (ut it !ill gro! a terror to the man o# trem(ling lim(



and !ithered (rain& until at length he !ill long #or the shelter o# the tom( to esca"e its roaringand (u##eting. *a""% the man !ho shall then (e a(le to (elie$e that old age itsel#& !ith its "itia(le deca%s and sad dreams o# %outh& is the chastening o# the ;ord& a sure sign o# his lo$e andhis #atherhood.-

It !as the #irst 9unda% in Ad$ent+ (ut -the chastening o# the ;ord- came into almost e$er%sermon that man "reached.

-lo,uent@ 'ut a#ter all& 0can0 this )ind o# thing (e true- said to himsel# a man o# a(out thirt%&!ho sat decorousl% listening. For man% %ears he had thought he (elie$ed this )ind o# thing(uto# late he !as not so sure.

'eside him sat his !i#e& in her ne! !inter (onnet& her "rett% #ace turned u" to!ard the "reacher+ (ut her e%esnothing elsere$ealed that she !as not listening. 9he !as much %ounger than herhus(andhardl% t!ent%& indeed.

In the u""er corner o# the "e! sat a "ale#aced child a(out #i$e& suc)ing her thum(& and staring atthe "reacher.

The sermon o$er& the% !al)ed home in "ro2imit%. The hus(and loo)ed gloom%& and his e%essought the ground. The !i#e loo)ed more smiling than cheer#ul& and her "rett% e%es !ent hitherand thither. 'ehind them !al)ed the childsteadil%& -!ith le$el#ronting e%elids.-

It !as a late(uilt region o# large& common"lace houses& and at one o# them the% sto""ed andentered. The door o# the diningroom !as o"en& sho!ing the ta(le laid #or their 9unda% dinner.The gentleman "assed on to the li(rar% (ehind it& the lad% !ent u" to her (edroom& and the childa stage higher to the nurser%.

It !anted hal# an hour to dinner. Mr. Greatore2 sat do!n& drummed !ith his #ingers on the armo# his eas%chair& too) u" a (oo) o# arctic e2"loration& thre! it again on the ta(le& got u"& and!ent to the smo)ingroom. *e had (uilt it #or his !i#e4s sa)e& (ut !as o#ten glad o# it #or hiso!n. Again he seated himsel#& too) a cigar& and smo)ed gloomil%.

*a$ing reached her (edroom& Mrs. Greatore2 too) o## her (onnet& and stood #or ten minutesturning it round and round. arnestl% she regarded itno! ga$e a t!ist to the !irestem o# a#lo!er& then s"read !ider the loo" o# a (o!. 9he !as meditating !hat it lac)ed o# "er#ectionrather than (rooding o$er its merits: she !as )een in (onnets.

;ittle 9o"h%or& as she called hersel# (% a trans"osition o# consonant sounds common !ithchildren& 3hos%#ound her nurse Alice in the nurser%. 'ut she !as lost in the "ages o# a certain;ondon !ee)l%& !hich had #ound her in a mood o"en to its in#luences& and did not e$en loo) u"!hen the child entered. /ith some e##ort 3hos% dre! o## her glo$es& and !ith more di##icult%untied her hat. Then she too) o## her ?ac)et& smoothed her hair& and retreated to a corner. There alarge sha((% doll la% u"on her little chair: she too) it u"& dis"osed it gentl% u"on the (ed& seatedhersel# in its "lace& got a little (oo) #rom !here she had le#t it under the chair& smoothed do!nher s)irts& and (egan simultaneousl% to read and suc) her thum(. The (oo) !as an unhealth%



one& a cu" #illed to the (rim !ith a "o$ert%stric)en and sel#ish religion: such are al!a%s (rea)ing out li)e an eru"tion here and there o$er the (od% o# the Church& doing their "art&dou(tless& in carr%ing o## the e$il humours generated (% "o$ert% o# (lood& or the congestion o#sel#"reser$ation. It is !onder#ul out o# !hat s"oiled #ruit some children !ill suc) s!eetness.

'ut she did not read #ar: her thoughts !ent (ac) to a "hrase !hich had haunted her e$er since#irst she !ent to church: -/hom the ;ord lo$eth& he chasteneth.-

-I !ish he !ould chasten me&- she thought #or the hundredth time.

The small Christian had no sus"icion that her !hole li#e had (een a "eriod o# chasteningthat#e! children indeed had to li$e in such a sunless atmos"here as hers.

Alice thre! do!n the ne!s"a"er& ga5ed #rom the !indo! into the (ac)%ard o# the ne2t house&sa! nothing (ut an elderl% manser$ant (rushing a garment& and turned u"on 9o"h%.

-/h% don4t %ou hang u" %our ?ac)et& miss- she said& shar"l%.

The little one rose& o"ened the !ardro(edoor !ide& carried a chair to it& #etched her ?ac)et #romthe (ed& clam(ered u" on the chair& and& leaning #ar #or!ard to reach a "eg& tum(led right into the (ottom o# the !ardro(e.

-Bou clums%@- e2claimed the nurse angril%& and "ulling her out (% the arm& shoo) her.

Alice !as not generall% rough to her& (ut there !ere reasons toda%.

3hos% cre"t (ac) to her seat& "ale& #rightened& and a little hurt. Alice hung u" the ?ac)et& closedthe !ardro(e& and& turning& contem"lated her o!n "rett% #ace and neat #igure in the glasso""osite. The dinner(ell rang.

-There& I declare@- she cried& and !heeled round on 3hos%. -And %our hair not (rushed %et& miss@/ill %ou e$er learn to do a thing !ithout (eing told it Than) goodness& I shan4t (e "lagued !ith%ou long@ 'ut I "it% her as comes a#ter me: I do@-

-I# the ;ord !ould (ut chasten me@- said the child to hersel#& as she rose and laid do!n her (oo)!ith a sigh.

The maid sei5ed her roughl% (% the arm& and (rushed her hair !ith an angr% haste that made thechild4s e%es !ater& and hersel# #eel a little ashamed at the sight o# them.

-*o! could an%(od% lo$e such a trou(lesome chit- she said& see)ing the com#ort o# ?usti#ication #rom the child hersel#.

Another sigh !as the "oor little damsel4s onl% ans!er. 9he loo)ed $er% !hite and solemn as sheentered the diningroom.



Mr. Greatore2 !as a merchant in the Cit%. 'ut he !as more o# a man than a merchant& !hich allmerchants are not. Also& he !as more scru"ulous in his dealings than some merchants in thesame line o# (usiness& !ho %et stood as !ell !ith the !orld as he+ (ut& on the other hand& he hadthe meanness to "ride himsel# u"on it as i# it had (een something he might ha$e done !ithoutand %et held u" his head.

9ome si2 %ears (e#ore& he had married to "lease his "arents+ and a %ear (e#ore& he had married to "lease himsel#. *is #irst !i#e had intellect& education& and heart& (ut little indi$idualit%notenough to re#lect the indi$idualit% o# her hus(and. The conse,uence !as& he #ound heruninteresting. *e !as )ind and indulgent ho!e$er& and not e$en her (est #riend (lamed himmuch #or mani#esting nothing (e%ond the a$erage de$otion o# hus(ands. 'ut in truth his !i#e hadgreat ca"a(ilities& onl% the% had ne$er ri"ened& and !hen she died& a #ortnight a#ter gi$ing (irthto 9o"h%& her hus(and had not a sus"icion o# the large amount o# unde$elo"ed "o!er that had "assed a!a% !ith her.

*er child !as so li)e her (oth in countenance and manner that he !as too constantl% reminded o#

her unlamented mother+ and he lo$ed neither enough to disco$er that& in a sense as true asmar$ellous& the child !as the $er% #lo!er(ud o# her mother4s nature& in !hich her retarded (lossom had %et a chance o# (eing slo!l% carried to "er#ection. ;o$e alone gi$es insight& and the#ather too) her merel% #or a miniature edition o# the $olume !hich he seemed to ha$e laid aside#or e$er in the dust o# the earth4s lum(erroom. Instead& there#ore& o# !atering the roots o# hislittle human sli" #rom the !ell o# his a##ections& he had scarcel% as %et "ercei$ed more in relationto her than that he !as legall% accounta(le #or her e2istence& and (ound to gi$e her shelter and#ood. I# he had ,uestioned himsel# on the matter& he !ould ha$e re"lied that lo$e !as not!anting& onl% !aiting u"on her gro!th& and the de$elo"ment o# something to interest him.

;ittle right as he had had to e2"ect an%thing #rom his #irst marriage& he had %et cherished someho"es thereintolera(l% $ague& it is true& %et hardl% #aint enough& it !ould seem& #or he !asdisa""ointed in them. /hen its (onds #ell #rom him& ho!e$er& he #lattered himsel# that he hadnot !orn them in $ain& (ut had through them arri$ed at a )no!ledge o# !omen as rare as "ro#ound. 'ut !hate$er the reach o# this )no!ledge& it !as not su##icient to "re$ent him #romhar(ouring the "resum"tuous ho"e o# so choosing and so #ashioning the heart and mind o# a!oman that the% should (e as conca$e mirrors to his o!n. I do not mean that he !ould ha$eadmitted the #igure& (ut such !as reall% the end he (lindl% sought. I !onder ho! man% o# those!ho ha$e (een disa""ointed in such an attem"t ha$e (een there(% aroused to the "erce"tion o#!hat a #right#ul #ailure their success !ould ha$e (een on (oth sides. It !as (ad enough thatAugustus Greatore24s theories had cram"ed his o!n de$elo"ment+ it !ould ha$e (een ten#old!orse had the% (een o"erati$e to the stunting o# another soul.

;ett% Mere!ether !as the daughter o# a (isho" 0in "arti(us0. 9he had (een (orn tolera(l%innocent& had gro!n u" more than tolera(l% "rett%& and !as& !hen she came to ngland at theage o# si2teen& as nearl% a genuine e2am"le o# ;oc)e4s sheet o# !hite "a"er as could !ell ha$e#allen to the hand o# such an e2"erimenter as Greatore2 !ould #ain (ecome.

In his suit he had "ros"ered"erha"s too easil%. *e lo$ed the girl& or at least lo$ed the modi#iedre#lection o# her in his o!n mind+ !hile she& thoroughl% admiring the dignit%& good loo)s& and



accom"lishments o# the man !hose attentions #lattered her sel#o"inion& accorded him de#erenceenough to encourage his $ainest ho"es. Although she )ne! little& #luttering o$er the merestsur#aces o# e2istence& she had sense enough to )no! that he tal)ed sense to her& and #oolishnessenough to "ut it do!n to her o!n credit& !hile #or the sense itsel# she cared little or nothing. AndGreatore2& !ithout e$en )no!ing !hat she !as roughhe!n #or& !ould ta)e u"on him to sha"e

her ends@an am(ition the Di$init% ne$er "ermits to succeed: he !ho #ancies himsel# the car$er#inds himsel# (ut the chisel& or indeed "erha"s onl% the mallet& in the hand o# the true !or)man.

During the da%s o# his courtshi"& then& ;ett% listened and smiled& or ans!ered !ith !hat he too)#or a s"iritual res"onse& !hen it !as merel% a (rainecho. ;oo)ing do!n into the "ond o# her (eing& !hose sur#ace !as& not %et ru##led (% an% (u((ling o# s"rings #rom (elo!& he sa! there#lection o# himsel# and !as satis#ied. An a(le man on his ho((% loo)s a centaur o# !isdom and#oll%+ (ut i# he (e at all a !ise man& the (east !ill one da% or other sho! him the ?ade4s #a$our o#unseating him. Meantime Augustus Greatore2 !as #ooled& not (% "oor little ;ett%& !ho !as notca"a(le o# #ooling him& (ut (% himsel#. ;ett% had made no "retences+ had (een interested& andhad sho!n her interest+ had understood& or seemed to understand& !hat he said to her& and

#orgotten it the ne2t momenthad no "oc)et to "ut it in& did not )no! !hat to do !ith it& and letit dro" into the ;im(o o# anit%. The% had not (een married man% da%s (e#ore the scouts o#ad$ancing disa""ointment !ere u"on them. Augustus resisted man#ull% #or a time. 'ut the truth!as each o# the t!o had to (ecome a great deal more than either !as& (e#ore an% a""roach tounit% !as "ossi(le. *e tried to interest her in one su(?ect a#ter anothertried her #irst& I amashamed to sa%& !ith "olitical econom%. In that instance& !hen he came home to dinner he #oundthat she had not got (e%ond the #irst "age o# the (oo) he had le#t !ith her. 'ut she had the (est o# e2cuses& namel%& that o# that "age she had not understood a sentence. *e sa! his mista)e& andtried her !ith "oetr%. 'ut Milton& !ith !hom un#ortunatel% he commenced his a""roaches& !asto her& i# not e,uall% unintelligi(le& e,uall% uninteresting. *e tried her ne2t !ith the elements o#science& (ut !ith no (etter success. *e returned to "oetr%& and read some o# the Faerie Eueene!ith her: she !as& or seemed to (e& interested in all his tal) a(out it& and inclined to go on !ith itin his a(sence& (ut #ound the #irst stan5a she tried more than enough !ithout him to gi$e li#e to it.9he could gi$e it none& and there#ore it ga$e her none. I (elie$e she read a cha"ter o# the 'i(lee$er% da%& (ut the onl% (oo)s she read !ith an% real interest !ere no$els o# a sort that Augustusdes"ised. It ne$er occurred to him that he ought at once to ha$e made #riends o# this Momus o#unrighteousness& #or (% them he might ha$e #ound entrance to the sealed cham(er. *e ought toha$e read !ith her the (oo)s she did li)e& #or (% them onl% could he ma)e her thin)& and #romthem alone could he lead her to (etter. It is (ut #rom the $er% ste" u"on !hich one stands that onecan mo$e to the ne2t. 'esides these (oo)s& there !as nothing in her scheme o# the uni$erse (ut#ashion& dress& calls& the "ar)& other"eo"ledom& concerts& "la%s& churchgoing!hate$er couldsho! itsel# on the #rosted glass o# her 0camera o(scura0ma)e an interest o# motion and colourin her dar)ened cham(er. /ithout these& her (osom4s mistress !ould ha$e #ound li#eunendura(le& #or not %et had she ascended her throne& (ut la% on the #loor o# her nurser%&surrounded !ith to%s that imitated li#e.

It !as no !onder& there#ore& that Augustus !as at length com"elled to allo! himsel#disa""ointed. That it !as the #ault o# his sel#con#idence made the thing no !hit (etter. *e !astoo much o# a man not to cherish a certain tenderness #or her& (ut he soon #ound to his disma%that it had (egun to (e mingled !ith a shado! o# contem"t. Against this he struggled& (ut !ith



#luctuating success. *e sto""ed later and later at (usiness& and !hen he came home s"ent moreand more o# his time in the smo)ingroom& !here (% and (% he had (oo)shel$es "ut u".ccasionall% he !ould acce"t an in$itation to dinner and accom"an% his !i#e& (ut he detestede$ening "arties& and !hen ;ett%& !ho ne$er re#used an in$itation i# she could hel" it& !ent toone& he remained at home !ith his (oo)s. 'ut his "o!er o# reading (egan to diminish. *e

(ecame restless and irrita(le. 9omething )e"t gna!ing at his heart. There !as a sore s"ot in it.The s"ot gre! larger and larger& and (% degrees the centre o# his consciousness came to (e asoreness: his cherished idea had (een #ooled+ he had ta)en a sill% girl #or a !oman o#unde$elo"ed !ealth+a (u((le& a sur#ace !hereon #air colours chased each other& #or a heartedcr%stal.

n her "art& ;ett% too had her grie#& !hich& unli)e Augustus& she did not )ee" to hersel#&recei$ing in return #rom more than one o# her #riends the soothing assurance that Augustus !asonl% li)e all other men+ that !omen !ere (ut their to%s& !hich the% cast a!a% !hen !ear% o#them. ;ett% did not see that she !as hersel# ma)ing a to% o# her li#e& or that Augustus !as right inre#using to "la% !ith such a costl% and delicate thing. >either did Augustus see that& ha$ing& (%

his o!n (lunder& married a mere child& he !as (ound to deal !ith her as one& and not let the childsu##er #or his #ault more than !hat could not (e hel"ed. It is not (% "ressing our insights u"onthem& (ut (% (athing the sealed e%elids o# the human )ittens& that !e can hel" them.

And all the time "oor little 3hos% !as le#t to the care o# Alice& a cle$er& careless& goodhearted&sel#satis#ied damsel& !ho& although seldom so rough in her (eha$iour as !e ha$e ?ust seen her&a(andoned the child almost entirel% to her o!n resources. It !as o#ten she sat alone in thenurser%& !ishing the ;ord !ould chasten her(ecause then he !ould lo$e her.

The #irst course !as nearl% o$er ere Augustus had (rought himsel# to as)

/hat did %ou thin) o# the sermon toda%& ;ett%-

->ot much&- ans!ered ;ett%. -I am not #ond o# #iner%. I "re#er sim"licit%.-

Augustus held his "eace (itterl%. For it !as ?ust #iner% in a sermon& !ithout )no!ing it& that ;ett%!as #ond o#: !hat seemed to him a #lims% s%lla(u( o# sacred things& (eaten u" !ith the !his) o#com"osition& !as charming to ;ett%+ !hile& on the contrar%& i# a man such as the% had (eenlistening to !as carried a!a% (% the thoughts that struggled in him #or utterance& the result& to her ?udgment& !as #iner%& and the o(?ect dis"la%. In e2cuse it must (e remem(ered that she had (eenused to her #ather4s st%le& !hich no one could ha$e as"ersed !ith lac) o# so(riet%. 3resentl% shes"o)e again.

-Gus& dear& couldn4t %ou ma)e u" %our mind #or once to go !ith me to ;ad% Ashdaile4s tomorro! I am getting ,uite ashamed o# a""earing so o#ten !ithout %ou.-

-There is another !a% o# a$oiding that un"leasantness&- remar)ed her hus(and dril%.

-Bou cruel creature@- returned ;ett% "la%#ull%. -'ut I must go this once& #or I "romised Mrs.*olden.-



-I4m sure& ma4am& I ne$er made no com"laints@- returned Alice& (ut as she s"o)e she dre! hersel# u" straighter than (e#ore.

-Then !hat is it- said her mistress.

-The #act is& ma4am&- ans!ered the girl& almost #iercel%& -I 0cannot0 an% longer endure a state o#domestic sla$er%.-

-I don4t understand %ou a (it (etter&- said Mrs. Greatore2& tr%ing& (ut in $ain& to smile& andthere#ore loo)ing angrier than she !as.

-I mean& ma4aman4 I see no reason as I shouldn4t sa% it& #or it4s the truththere4s a !orm at theroot o# societ% !here one %uman (ein4 4s got to do the dirt% !or) o# another. I don4t minds!ee"in4 u" m% o!n dust& (ut I !on4t s!ee" u" no(od% else4s. I ain4t a goin4 to demean m%sel# nolonger@ There@-

-;ea$e the room& Alice&- said Mrs. Greatore2+ and !hen& !ith a toss and a #lounce& the %oung!oman had $anished& she (urst into tears o# anger and anno%ance.

The da% "assed. The e$ening came. 9he dressed !ithout Alice4s usual hel"& and !ent to ;ad%Ashdaile4s !ith her #riend. There a reaction too) "lace& and her s"irits rose unnaturall%. 9he e$endancedto the disgust o# one or t!o ,uic)e%ed matrons !ho sat (% the !all.

/hen she came home she #ound her hus(and sitting u" #or her. *e said ne2t to nothing& and satu" an hour longer !ith his (oo).

In the night she !as ta)en ill. *er hus(and called Alice& and ran himsel# to #etch the doctor. Forsome hours she seemed in danger& (ut (% noon !as much (etter. nl% the greatest care !asnecessar%.

As soon as she could s"ea)& she told Augustus o# Alice4s !arning& and he sent #or her to theli(rar%.

9he stood (e#ore him !ith #lushed chee)s and #lashing e%es.

-I understand& Alice& %ou ha$e gi$en %our mistress !arning&- he said gentl%.

-Bes& sir.-

-Bour mistress is $er% ill& Alice.-

-Bes& sir.-

-Don4t %ou thin) it !ould (e ungrate#ul o# %ou to lea$e her in her "resent condition 9he4s notli)el% to (e strong #or some time to come.-



The use o# the !ord -ungrate#ul- !as an un#ortunate one. Alice (egged to )no! !hat she had to (e grate#ul #or. /as her !or) !orth nothing And her master& as e$er% one must !ho claims that!hich can onl% (e #reel% gi$en& #ound himsel# in the !rong.

-/ell& Alice&- he said& -!e !on4t dis"ute that "oint+ and i# %ou are reall% determined on going&

%ou must do the (est %ou can #or %our mistress #or the rest o# the month.-

Alice4s sense o# in?ur% !as soothed (% her master4s #or(earance. 9he had al!a%s rather a""ro$edo# Mr. Greatore2& and she le#t the room more so#tl% than she had entered it.

;ett% had a #ortnight in (ed& during !hich she re#lected a little.

The $er% da% on !hich she le#t her room& Alice sought an inter$ie! !ith her master& anddeclared she could not sta% out her month+ she must go home at once.

9he had (een $er% attenti$e to her mistress during the #ortnight: there must (e something to

account #or her strange (eha$iour.

-Come no!& Alice&- said her master& -!hat4s at the (ac) o# all this Bou ha$e (een a good& !ell (eha$ed& o(liging girl till no!& and I am certain %ou !ould ne$er (e li)e this i# there !eren4tsomething !rong some!here.-

-9omething !rong& sir@ >o& indeed& sir@ 2ce"t %ou call it !rong to ha$e an old uncle 4s dies andlea$es e$er so much mone%thousands on thousands& the la!%ers sa%.-

-And does it come to %ou then& Alice-

-I get m% share& sir. *e le#t it to (e "arted e$en (et!een his ne"he!s and nieces.-

-/h%& Alice& %ou are ,uite an heiress& then@- returned her master& scarcel% ho!e$er (elie$ing thething so grand as Alice !ould ha$e it. -'ut don4t %ou thin) no! it !ould (e rather hard that %our#ortune should (e Mrs. Greatore24s mis#ortune-

-/ell& I don4t see as ho! it shouldn4t&- re"lied Alice. -It4s mis4ess4s #ortun4 as 4as (een m%mis#ortun4ain4t it no!& sir An4 !h% shouldn4t it (e the other !a% ne2t-

-I don4t ,uite see ho! %our mistress4s #ortune can (e said to (e %our mis#ortune& Alice.-

-An%(od% !ould see that& sir& as !asn4t (linded (% class"re?udices.-

-Class"re?udices@- e2claimed Mr. Greatore2& in sur"rise at the !ord.

-It4s a term the% use& I (elie$e& sir@ 'ut it4s "lain enough that i# mis4ess hadn4t 4a4 (een (etter o##than me& she !ouldn4t ha4 (een a(le to secure m% ser$icesas %ou calls it.-



-That is certainl% "lain enough&- returned Mr. Greatore2. -'ut su""ose no(od% had (een a(le tosecure %our ser$ices& !hat !ould ha$e (ecome o# %ou-

-'% that time the "eo"le4d ha$e rose to assert their rights.-

-To !hatTo #ortunes li)e %ours-

-To (read and cheese at least& sir&- returned Alice& "ertl%.

-/ell& (ut %ou4$e had something (etter than (read and cheese.-

-I don4t ma)e no com"laints as to the st%le o# li$in4 in the house& sir& (ut that4s all one& so long asit4s on the $ile condition o# domestic sla$er%!hich it4s nothing can ?usti#%.-

-Then o# course& although %ou are no! a !oman o# "ro"ert%& %ou !ill ne$er dream o# ha$ing an%one to !ait on %ou&- said her master& amused !ith the $olume o# human nature thus o"ened to

him.

-All I sa%& sir& isit4s m% turn no!+ and I ain4t goin4 to (e sit u"on (% no one. I )no! m% doot% tom%sel#.-

-I didn4t )no! there !as such a dut%& Alice&- said her master.

9omething in his tone dis"leased her.

-Then %ou )no! no!& sir&- she said& and (ounced out o# the room.

The ne2t moment& ho!e$er& ashamed o# her rudeness& she reentered& sa%ing&

-I don4t !ant to (e un)ind& sir& (ut I must go home. I4$e got a (rother that4s ill& too& and !ants tosee me. I# %ou don4t o(?ect to me goin4 home #or a month& I "romise %ou to come (ac) and seemis4ess through her trou(leas a #riend& %ou )no!& sir.-

-'ut ?ust listen to me #irst& Alice&- said Mr. Greatore2. -I4$e had something to do !ith !ills in m%time& and I can assure %ou it is not li)el% to (e less than a %ear (e#ore %ou can touch the mone%.Bou had much (etter sta% !here %ou are till %our uncle4s a##airs are settled. Bou don4t )no! !hatma% ha""en. There4s man% a sli" (et!een cu" and li"& %ou )no!.-

-h@ it4s all right& sir. $er%(od% )no!s the mone%4s le#t to his ne"he!s and nieces& and me andm% (rother4s as good as an%.-

-I don4t dou(t it: still& i# %ou4ll ta)e m% ad$ice& %ou4ll )ee" a sound roo# o$er %our head tillanother4s read% #or %ou.-

Alice onl% thre! her chin in the air& and said almost threateningl%&



-Am I to go #or the month& sir-

-I4ll tal) to %our mistress a(out it&- ans!ered Mr. Greatore2& not at all sure that such anarrangement !ould (e #or his !i#e4s com#ort.

'ut the ne2t da% Mrs. Greatore2 had a long tal) !ith Alice& and the result !as that on the#ollo!ing Monda% she !as to go home #or a month& and then return #or t!o months more atleast. /hat Mr. Greatore2 had said a(out the legac%& had had its e##ect& and& (esides& her mistresshad s"o)en to her !ith "leasure in her good #ortune. A(out 9o"h% no one #elt an% an2iet%: she!as no trou(le to an% one& and the housemaid !ould see to her.

C*A3T III.

n the 9unda% e$ening& Alice4s lo$er& ha$ing heard& not #rom hersel#& (ut (% a side !ind& that she!as going home the ne2t da%& made his a""earance in /im(orne 9,uare& some!hat "er"le2ed (oth at the mo$e& and at her lea$ing him in ignorance o# the same. *e !as a ca(inetma)er in anhonest sho" in the neigh(ourhood& and in education& #acult%& and general !orth& considera(l%Alice4s su"eriora #act !hich had hitherto rather "leased her& (ut no! ga$e 5est to the change!hich she imagined had su($erted their #ormer relation. Full o# the sense o# her ne! su"eriorit%&she met him dra"ed in an indescri(a(le strangeness. ohn e"hson #elt& at the $er% #irst !ord& asi# her $oice came #rom the other side o# the nglish Channel. *e !ondered !hat he had done& orrather !hat Alice could imagine he had done or said& to "ut her in such tantrums.

-Alice& m% dear&- he said#or ohn !as a man to go straight at the enem%& -!hat4s amiss /hat4scome o$er %ou Bou ain4t altogether li)e %our o!n sel# tonight@ And here I #ind %ou4re goin4a!a%& and ne4er a !ord to me a(out it@ /hat ha$e I done-

Alice4s chin alone made re"l%. 9he !aited the #itting moment& !ith s"lendour to astonish& and!ith grandeur to su(due her lo$er. To tell the sad truth& she !as no longer sure that it !ould (e!ell to encourage him on the old #ooting+ !as she not standing on ti"toe& her s)irts in her hand&on the (rin) o# the (roo) that "arted ser#dom #rom gentilit%& on the "oint o# ste""ing daintil%across& and lea$ing domestic sla$er%& red hands& ca"s& and o(edience (ehind her *o! then !asshe to marr% a man that had (lac) nails& and smelt o# glue It !as incum(ent on her at least& #or "ro"riet%4s sa)e& to render him at once a!are that it !as in condescension ine##a(le she too) an%notice o# him.

-Alice& m% girl@- (egan ohn again& in e2"ostulator% tone.

-Miss Co2& i# %ou "lease& ohn e"hson&- inter"osed Alice.

-/hat on 4arth4s come o$er %ou- e2claimed ohn& !ith the #irst thro( o# rousing indignation.-'ut i# %ou ain4t %our o!n sel# no more& !h%& Miss Co2 (e it. 4T seems to me 4s i# I !arn4t m%



o!n sel# no more4s i# I4d got into some un else& or 4t least hedn4t got m% o!n ears on m4 o!nhead.>e$er sa! or heerd Alice li)e this a#ore@- he added& turning in gloom% (e!ilderment tothe housemaid #or a !ord o# human s%m"ath%.

The mo$ement did not altogether "lease Alice& and she #elt she must ?usti#% her (eha$iour.

-Bou see& ohn&- she said& !ith dignit%& )ee"ing her (ac) to!ards him& and "retending to dust theglo(e o# a lam"& -there4s things as no !oman can hel"& and there#ore as no man has no right tocom"lain o# them. It4s not as i# I4d gone an4 done it& or changed m%sel#& no more 4n i# it 4ad too) "lace in m% cradle. /hat can I hel" it& i# the !orld goes and changes itsel# Am 0I0 to (lametell me that. It4s not that. I ma)e no com"laint& (ut I tell %ou it ain4t me& it4s circumstances as isgone and changed theirsel$es& and (ein4 as circumstances is changed& things ain4t the same asthe% !as& and Miss is the "ro"erer term #rom %ou to me& ohn e"hson.-

-Dang it i# I )no! !hat %ou4re a dri$in4 at& Alice@Miss Co2@and I (eg %er "ardon& miss& I4msure.Dang me i# I do@-

-Don4t s!ear& ohn e"hsonleast!a%s (e#ore a lad%. It4s not "ro"er.-

-It seems to me& Miss Co2& as i# the !ind !as a settin4 #rom 'edlam& or ma% (e Colne% *atch&-said ohn& !ho !as considered a humourist among his comrades. -I !ouldn4t ta)e no li(erties!ith a lad%& Miss Co2+ (ut i# I might (e so (old as to arst the ?o)e o# the thing-

-o)e& indeed@- cried Alice. -Do %ou call a dead uncle and ten thousand "ounds a ?o)e-

-God (less me@- said ohn. -Bou don4t mean it& Alice-

-I do mean it& and that %ou4ll #ind& ohn e"hson. I4m goin4 to (id %ou good(%e tomorrer.-

-/ho%& Alice@- e2claimed honest ohn& aghast.

-It4s truth I tell %e&- said Alice.

-And #or ho! long- gas"ed ohn& #ore#eeling illimita(le mis#ortune.

-That de"ends&- returned Alice& !ho did not care to lessen the e##ect o# her communication (%mentioning her "romised return #or a season. -It ain4t li)el%&- she added& -as a heiress is a goin4to act the nussmaid much longer.-

-'ut Alice&- said ohn& -%ou don4t mean to sa%it4s not in %our mind no!it can4t (e& Alice%ou4re onl% ?o)in4 !ith me-

-Indeed& and I4m not@- inter?ected Alice& !ith a sni##.



For !hat right had he to desire the #ashioning o# an% !oman a#ter his ideas did not the angel o#her eternal Ideal #or e$er (ehold the #ace o# her Father in hea$en The (est that can (e said #orhim is& that& not!ithstanding his disa""ointment and her #aults& %ea& not!ithstanding his o!n#aults& !hich !ere& !ith all his culti$ation and strength o# character& %et more serious than hers&

he !as still )ind to her+ %es& I ma% sa% #or him& that& not!ithstanding e$en her silliness& !hich isa sic)ening #ault& and one !hich no su"remac% o# (eaut% can o$ershado!& he still lo$ed her alittle. *ence the care he sho!ed #or her in res"ect o# the coming sorro! !as genuine+ it did notall (elong to his desire #or a son to !hom he might (e a #ather indeeda#ter his o!n #ancies&ho!e$er. ;ett%& on her "art& !as as #ull o# e2"ectation as the girl !ho has (een "romised a dollthat can shut and o"en its e%es& and cr% !hen it is "inched+ her carelessness o# its sa#e arri$alcame o# ignorance and not indi##erence.

It cannot (ut seem strange that such a man should ha$e (een so careless o# the child he had. 'ut#rom the #irst she had "ain#ull% reminded him o# her mother& !ith !hom in truth he had ne$er,uarrelled& (ut !ith !hom he had not #ound li#e the less ir)some on that account. Add to this that

he had (een gro!ing #onder o# (usiness&a #act !hich indicated& in a man o# his endo!ment andde$elo"ment& an inclination do!n!ards o# the "lane o# his li#e. It !as some time since he hadgi$en u" reading "oetr%. *istor% had almost #ollo!ed: he no! read little e2ce"t "olitics& tra$els&and "o"ular e2"ositions o# scienti#ic "rogress.

That %ear Christmas $e #ell u"on a Monda%. The da% (e#ore& ;ett% not #eeling $er% !ell& herhus(and thought it (etter not to lea$e her& and ga$e u" going to church. 3hos% !as utterl%#orgotten& (ut she dressed hersel#& and at the usual hour a""eared !ith her "ra%er(oo) in herhand read% #or church. /hen her #ather told her that he !as not going& she loo)ed so (lan) thathe too) "it% u"on her& and accom"anied her to the churchdoor& "romising to meet her as shecame out. 3hos% sighed #rom relie# as she entered& #or she had a $ague idea that (% going tochurch to "ra% #or it she might mo$e the ;ord to chasten her. At least he !ould see her there& andmight thin) o# it. 9he had ne$er had such an attention #rom her #ather (e#ore& ne$er such dignit%con#erred u"on her as to (e allo!ed to a""ear in church alone& sitting in the "e! (% hersel# li)e agro!n damsel. 'ut I dou(t i# there !as an% "ride in her statel% ste"& or an% $anit% in the smileno& not smile& (ut illuminated mist& the $a"our o# smiles& !hich haunted her s!eet little solemnchurch!indo! o# a #ace& as she !al)ed u" the aisle.

The "reacher !as one o# !hom she had ne$er heard her #ather s"ea) slighting !ord& in !homher un(ounded trust had ne$er (een sha)en. Also he !as one !ho (elie$ed !ith his !hole soulin the things that ma)e Christmas "recious. To him the (irth o# the !onder#ul (a(% hinted athundreds o# strange things in the econom% o# the "lanet. That a man could so thoroughl% "ersuade himsel# that& he (elie$ed the old #a(le& !as matter o# mar$el to some o# his #riends !hoheld (lind >ature the eternal mother& and >ight the e$erlasting grandmother o# all things. 'ut thechild 3hos%& in her dreams or out o# them& in church or nurser%& !ith her (oo) or her doll& !asne$er out o# the region o# !onders& and !ould ha$e (elie$ed& or tried to (elie$e& an%thing thatdid not in$ol$e a moral im"ossi(ilit%.

/hat the "reacher said I need not e$en "artiall% re"eat+ it is enough to mention a certainmetamor"hosed de"osit #rom the stream o# his elo,uence carried home in her mind (% 3hos%:



#rom some o# his sa%ings a(out the (irth o# esus into the !orld& into the #amil%& into theindi$idual human (osom& she had got it into her head that Christmas Da% !as not a (irthda% li)ethat she had hersel# last %ear& (ut that& in some !onder#ul !a%& to her re,uiring no e2"lanation&the (a(% esus !as (orn e$er% Christmas Da% a#resh. /hat (ecame o# him a#ter!ards she did not)no!& and indeed she had ne$er %et thought to as) ho! it !as that he could come to e$er% house

in ;ondon as !ell as >o. 1& /im(orne 9,uare. ;ittle o# a home as another might thin) it& thathouse !as %et to her the centre o# all houses& and the !onder had not %et !idened ri""ling (e%ond it: into that s"ot o# the "ool the eternal gi#t !ould #all.

*er #ather #orgot the time o$er his (oo)& (ut so entranced !as her heart !ith the e2"ectation o#the "romised $isit& no! so nearthe da% a#ter tomorro!that& i# she did not altogether #orget toloo) #or him as she ste""ed do!n the stair #rom the church door to the street& his a(sence causedher no uneasiness+ and !hen& ?ust as she reached it& he o"ened the housedoor in tard% haste toredeem his "romise& she loo)ed u" at him !ith a solemn& smileless re"ose& (orn o# s"iritualtension and s"eechless antici"ation& u"on her #ace& and !al)ing "ast him !ithout change in therh%thm o# her motion& marched statel% u" the stairs to the nurser%. I (elie$e the centre o# her

ho"e !as that !hen the (a(% came she !ould (eg him on her )nees to as) the ;ord to chastenher.

/hen dessert !as o$er& her mother on the so#a in the dra!ingroom& and her #ather in an eas%chair& !ith a (ottle o# his #a$ourite !ine (% his side& she cre"t out o# the room and a!a% again tothe nurser%. There she reached u" to her little (oo)shel#& and& #ull o# the sermon as s"ong% mistsare #ull o# the sunlight& too) thence a $olume o# stories #rom the German& the rereading o# one o# !hich& narrating the $isit o# the Christchild& laden !ith gi#ts& to a certain household& and !hat hega$e to each and all therein& she had& although sorel% tem"ted& sa$ed u" until no!& and sat do!n!ith it (% the #ire& the onl% light she had. /hen the housemaid& suddenl% remem(ering she must "ut her to (ed& and at the same time disco$ering it !as a !hole hour "ast her usual time& hurriedto the nurser%& she #ound her #ast aslee" in her little armchair& her (oo) on her la"& and the #iresel#consumed into a dar) ca$e !ith a som(re glo! in its dee"est hollo!s. Dreams had dou(tlesscome to dee"en the im"ressions o# sermon and 0mJhrchen0& #or as she slo!l% %ielded to thehands o# 3oll% "utting her to (ed& her li"s& unconsciousl% mo$ed o# the slum(ering (ut notslee"ing s"irit& more than once murmured the !ords 0;ord lo$eth0 and 0chasteneth0. ight (lessedl% !ould I enter the dreams o# such a childre$el in them& as a (ee in the hea$enl% gul# o# a cactus#lo!er.

C*A3T .

n Christmas $e the church (ells !ere ringing through the mur)% air o# ;ondon& !hose streetsla% #laring and steaming (elo!. The (rightest o# their constellations !ere the (utchers4 sho"s&!ith their sho!s o# "ri5e (ee#+ around them& the eddies o# the human tides !ere most con#usedand )notted. 'ut the to%sho"s !ere (rilliant also. To 3hos% the% !ould ha$e (een the treasureca$es o# the Christchildall m%steries& all !ith insides to them(o2es& and des)s& and



!indmills& and do$ecots& and hens !ith chic)ens& and !ho could tell !hat all In e$er% one o#those sho"s her e%es !ould ha$e searched #or the Christchild& the gi$er o# all their !ealth. Forto her he !as e$er%!here that nightu(i,uitous as the luminous mist that (rooded all o$er;ondono# !hich& ho!e$er& she sa! nothing (ut the glo! a(o$e the me!s. ohn e"hson !asout in the middle o# all the sho!& dri#ting a(out in it: he sa! nothing that had "leasure in it& his

heart !as so hea$%. *e ne$er thought once o# the Christchild& or e$en o# the Christman& as thegi$er o# an%thing. 'irth is the one standing "romiseho"e #or the race& (ut #or "oor ohn thisChristmas held no "romise. /ith all his humour& he !as one o# those "eo"le& generall% dull andslo!God grant me and mine such dullness and such sloth!ho ha$ing once lo$ed& cannotcease. During the #ortnight he had scarce had a moment4s ease #rom the sting o# his Alice4streatment. The honest #ello!4s #eelings !ere no stud% to himsel#+ he )ne! nothing (ut the "leasure and the "ain o# them+ (ut& I (elie$e it !as not mainl% #or himsel# that he !as sorr%. ;i)ethello& -the "it% o# it- haunted him: he had ta)en Alice #or a do!nright girl& a(out !hom there!as and could (e no mista)e+ and the #irst hot (last o# "ros"erit% had s!e"t her a!a% li)e ahectic lea#. /hat !ere all the sho"s dressed out in holl% and mistletoe& !hat !ere all the rushing#laming gas?ets& !hat the #attest o# "ri5e"igs to ohn& !ho could ne$er more imagine a s"areri(

on the ta(le (et!een Alice and him o# a 9unda% *is imagination ran on seeing her "ass in hercarriage& and dro" him a nod o# condescension as she s!e"t noisil% (% himtrudging home!ear% #rom his !or) to his lo$eless #ireside. 0*e0 didn4t !ant her mone%@ *onestl%& he !ouldrather ha$e her !ithout than !ith mone%& #or he no! regarded it as an enem%& seeing !hat e$ilchanges it could !or). -There (e some de$il in it& sure@- he said to himsel#. True& he had ne$er#ound an% in his !ee)4s !ages& (ut he did remem(er once #inding the de$il in a month4s !agesrecei$ed in the lum".

As he !as thus thin)ing !ith himsel#& a carriage came suddenl% #rom a side street into the cro!d&and !hile he stared at it& thin)ing Alice might (e sitting inside it !hile he !as tram"ing the "a$ement alone& she "assed him on the other side on #oot!as actuall% "ushed against him: heloo)ed round& and sa! a %oung !oman& carr%ing a small (ag& disa""earing in the cro!d. -There4san air o# Alice a(out 0her0- said ohn to himsel#& seeing her (ac) onl%. 'ut o# course it couldn4t (e Alice+ #or her he must loo) in the carriages no!@ And !hat a #ool he !as: e$er% %oung !omanreminded him o# the one he had lost@ 3erha"s i# he !as to call the ne2t da%3oll% !as a goodnatured creaturehe might hear some ne!s o# her.

It had (een a trou(led #ortnight !ith Mrs. Greatore2. 9he !ished much that she could ha$etal)ed to her hus(and more #reel%& (ut she had not learned to #eel at home !ith him. Bet he had (een )inder and more attenti$e than usual all the time& so much so that ;ett% thought !ithhersel#i# she ga$e him a (o%& he !ould certainl% return to his #irst de$otion. 9he said 0(o%0& (ecause an% one might see he cared little #or 3hos%. 9he had ne$er disco$ered that he !asdisa""ointed in hersel#& (ut& since her disregard o# his !ishes had (rought e$il u"on her& she had (egun to sus"ect that he had some ground #or (eing dissatis#ied !ith her. 9he ne$er dreamed o#his )indness as the e##ort o# a conscientious nature to ma)e the (est o# !hat could not no! (eother!ise hel"ed. *er o!n "o$ert% o# s"irit and lac) o# !orth achie$ed& she )ne! as little o# asshe did o# the riches o# Michael the archangel. ne must ha$e (egun to gather !isdom (e#ore hecan see his o!n #oll%.



una$oida(le "u(lication o# a #act "re$iousl% )no!n onl% to a li$ing #e!namel%& that the #atherand mother o# Alice *o"!ood had ne$er (een married& !hich #act de"ri$ed them o# the smallestclaim on the legac%& and #ell li)e a millstone u"on Alice and her "ride. From the height o# hermisera(le arrogance she #ell "ronenot merel% hurled (ac) into the lo!l% condition #rom !hichshe had raised her head onl% to des"ise it !ith (ase unrighteousness& and to ado"t and reassert

the "rinci"les she had a(horred !hen the% a##ected hersel#not merel% this& (ut& in her o!n ?udgment at least& no longer the res"ecta(le mem(er o# societ% she had hitherto (een ?usti#ied insu""osing hersel#. The relation o# her #ather and mother she #elt o$ershado! her !ith a disgraceun#athoma(lethe more o$er!helming that it cast her #rom the gates o# the 3aradise she hadseemed on the "oint o# entering: her #all she measured (% the height o# the social am(ition shehad cherished& and had seemed on the "oint o# attaining. 'ut it is not an e$il that the de$il4smone%& !hich this legac% had #rom the #irst "ro$ed to Alice& should turn to a hot cinder in thehand. arel% had a more haught% s"irit than hers gone (e#ore a #all& and rarel% has the #all (eenmore sudden or more a(?ect. And the consciousness o# the (eha$iour into !hich her #alse richeshad seduced her& changed the !hi" o# her chastisement into scor"ions. /orst o# all& she hadinsulted her lo$er as (eneath her notice& and the ne2t moment had #ound hersel# too $ile #or his.

udging (% hersel#& in the in?ustice o# (itter humiliation she imagined him sco##ing !ith his matesat the (ase(orn menial !ho !ould set u" #or a #ine lad%. 'ut had she (een more !orth% o#honest ohn& she !ould ha$e understood him (etter. As it !as& no reall% good #ortune could ha$e (e#allen her (ut such as no! seemed to her the de"th o# e$il #ortune. /ithout humiliation to "re"are the !a% #or humilit%& she must ha$e (ecome ca"a(le o# more and more (aseness& untilshe lost all that ma)es li#e !orth ha$ing.

/hen Mrs. Greatore2 had gi$en her !hat consolation she #ound hand%& and at length dismissedher& the girl& una(le to endure her o!n com"an%& sought the nurser%& !here she caught 9o"h% inher arms and em(raced her !ith #er$our. >e$er in her li#e ha$ing (een the o(?ect o# an% suchdis"la% o# #eeling& 3hos% !as much astonished: !hen Alice had set her do!n and she hadresumed her seat (% the #ireside& she !ent on staring #or a !hileand then a strange sort o#miming ensued.

It !as 3hos%4s ha(itone less rare !ith children than ma% (% most (e imaginedto do !hat shecould to enter into an% state o# mind !hose sho!s !ere su##icientl% mar)ed #or her o(ser$ation.9he sought to la% hold o# the #eeling that "roduced the e2"ression: less than the re"roduction o# asimilar condition in her o!n imaginati$e sensorium& su(?ect to her leisurel% e2amination& !ouldin no case satis#% the little meta"h%sician. 'ut !hat !as indeed $er% odd !as the means she too) #or arri$ing at the s%m"athetic )no!ledge she desired. As i# she had (een the most earneststudent o# dramatic e2"ression through the #acial muscles& she !ould sit !atching thecountenance o# the o(?ect o# her solicitude& all the time& !ith #ull consciousness& #ashioning hero!n as nearl% as she could into the lines and #orms o# the other: in "ro"ortion as she succeeded&the small "s%chologist imagined she #elt in hersel# the condition that "roduced the "henomenonshe o(ser$edas i# the sha"e o# her #ace cast in!ard its shado! u"on her mind& and so re$ealedto it& through the t!o #aces& !hat !as mo$ing and sha"ing in the mind o# the other.

In the "resent instance& ha$ing at length& a#ter modelling and remodelling her #ace li)e that o# agutta"ercha doll #or some time& com"osed it #inall% into the (est corres"ondence she coulde##ect& she sat (rooding #or a !hile& !ith Alice4s e2"ression as it !ere #ro5en u"on it. Graduall%



the #orms assumed melted a!a%& and allo!ed her still& solemn #ace to loo) out #rom (ehind them.The moment this e$anishment !as com"lete& she rose and !ent to Alice& !here she sat staringinto the #ire& unconscious o# the scrutin% she had (een undergoing& and& loo)ing u" in her #ace&too) her thum( out o# her mouth& and said&

-Is the ;ord chastening Alice I !ish he !ould chasten 3hos%.-

*er lace !as calm as that o# the 9"hin2+ there !as no mist in the de"th o# her gra% e%es& not acloud on the !ide hea$en o# her #orehead.

/as the child cra5ed /hat could the atom mean& !ith her (ig e%es loo)ing right into her Alicene$er had understood her: it !ere indeed strange i# the less should com"rehend the greater@ 9he!as not %et& ca"a(le o# recognising the !ord o# the ;ord in the mouth o# (a(es and suc)lings.'ut there !as a something in 3hos%4s #ace (esides its calmness and unintelligi(ilit%. /hat it !asAlice could ne$er ha$e told%et it did her good. 9he li#ted the child on her la". There she soon#ell aslee". Alice undressed her& laid her in her cri(& and !ent to (ed hersel#.

'ut& !ear% as she !as& she had to rise again (e#ore she got to slee". *er mistress !as again ta)enill. Doctor and nurse !ere sent #or in hot haste+ hansom ca(s came and !ent throughout thenight& li)e nois% moths to the one lighted house in the street+ there !ere so#t ste"s !ithin& anddoors !ere gentl% o"ened and shut. The !aters o# Mara had risen and #illed the house.

To!ards morning the% !ere e((ing slo!l% a!a%. ;ett% did not )no! that her hus(and !as!atching (% her (edside. The street !as ,uiet no!. 9o !as the house. Most o# its "eo"le had (een u" throughout the night& (ut no! the% had all gone to (ed e2ce"t the strange nurse and Mr.Greatore2.

It !as the morning o# Christmas Da%& and little 3hos% )ne! it in e$er% crann% o# her soul. 9he!as not o# those !ho had (een u" all night& and no! she !as a!a)e& earl% and !ide& and themoment she a!o)e she !as s"eculating: *e !as coming toda%0ho!0 !ould he come /hereshould she #ind the (a(% esus And !hen !ould he come In the morning& or the a#ternoon& orin the e$ening Could such a grie# (e in store #or her as that he !ould not a""ear until night&!hen she !ould (e again in (ed 'ut she !ould not slee" till all ho"e !as gone. /oulde$er%(od% (e gathered to meet him& or !ould he sho! himsel# to one a#ter another& each aloneThen her turn !ould (e last& and oh& i# he !ould come to the nurser%@ 'ut "erha"s he !ould nota""ear to her at all@#or !as she not one !hom the ;ord did not care to chasten

2"ectation gre! and !rought in her until she could lie in (ed no longer. Alice !as #ast aslee". Itmust (e earl%& (ut !hether it !as %et light or not she could not tell #or the curtains. An%ho! she!ould get u" and dress& and then she !ould (e read% #or esus !hene$er he should come. True&she !as not a(le to dress hersel# $er% !ell& (ut he !ould )no!& and !ould not mind. 9he madeall the haste she could& consistentl% !ith ta)ing "ains& and !as soon attired a#ter a #ashion.

9he cre"t out o# the room and do!n the stair. The house !as $er% still. /hat i# esus shouldcome and #ind no(od% a!a)e /ould he go again and gi$e them no "resents 9he couldn4t



e2"ect an% hersel#(ut might he not let her ta)e theirs #or the rest 3erha"s she ought to !a)ethem all& (ut she dared not !ithout (eing sure.

n the last landing a(o$e the #irst #loor& she sa!& (% the lo! gaslight at the end o# the corridor& anun)no!n #igure "ass the #oot o# the stair: could she ha$e an%thing to do !ith the mar$el o# the

da% The !oman loo)ed u"& and 3hos% dro""ed the ,uestion. Bet she might (e a char!oman&!hose assistance the e2"ected ad$ent rendered necessar%. /hen she reached the (ottom o# thestair she sa! her disa""earing in her ste"mother4s room. That she did not li)e. It !as the oneroom into !hich she could not go. 'ut& as the house !as so still& she !ould search e$er%!hereelse& and i# she did not #ind him& !ould then sit do!n in the hall and !ait #or him.

The room ne2t the #oot o# the stair& and o""osite her ste"mother4s& !as the s"are room& !ith!hich she associated ideas o# state and grandeur: !here (etter could she (egin than at the guestcham(erThere@Could it (e Bes@Through the chin) o# the scarceclosed door she sa! light.ither he !as alread% there or there the% !ere e2"ecting him. From that moment she #elt as i#li#ted out o# the (od%. Far e2alted a(o$e all dread& she "ee"ed modestl% in& and then entered.

'e%ond the #oot o# the (ed& a candle stood on a little lo! ta(le& (ut no(od% !as to (e seen. There!as a stool near the ta(le: she !ould sit on it (% the candle& and !ait #or him. 'ut ere shereached it& she caught sight o# something u"on the (ed that dre! her thither. 9he stoodentranced.0Could0 it (eIt 0might0 (e. 3erha"s he had le#t it there !hile he !ent into hermamma4s room !ith something #or her.The lo$eliest o# dolls e$er imagined@ 9he dre! nearer.The light !as lo!& and the shado!s !ere man%: she could not (e sure !hat it !as. 'ut !hen shehad gone close u" to it& she concluded !ith certaint% that it !as in $er% truth a doll"erha"sintended #or her(ut (e%ond dou(t the most e2,uisite o# dolls. 9he dragged a chair to the (ed&got& u"& "ushed her little arms so#tl% under it& and dra!ing it gentl% to her& slid do!n !ith it./hen she #elt her #eet #irm on the #loor& #illed !ith the solemn com"osure o# hol% a!e shecarried the gi#t o# the child esus to the candle& that she might the (etter admire its (eaut% and)no! its "reciousness. 'ut the light had no sooner #allen u"on it than a strange unde#ina(ledou(t a!o)e !ithin her. /hate$er it !as& it !as the $er% essence o# lo$elinessthe tin% darling!ith its ala(aster #ace& and its delicatel% modelled hands and #ingers@ A long nightgo!n co$eredall the rest./as it "ossi(leCould it (eBes& indeed@ it must (eit could (e nothing else thana 0real0 (a(%@ /hat a goose she had (een@ # course it !as (a(% esus himsel#@#or !as not thishis $er% o!n Christmas Da% on !hich he !as al!a%s (ornI# she had #elt a!e o# his gi#t (e#ore& !hat a grandeur o# adoring lo$e& !hat a di$ine dignit% "ossessed her& holding in her armsthe $er% child himsel#@ ne shudder o# (liss "assed through her& and in an agon% o# "ossessionshe clas"ed the (a(% to her great heartthen at once (ecame still !ith the satis#action o# eternit%&!ith the "eace o# God. 9he sat do!n on the stool& near the little ta(le& !ith her (ac) to thecandle& that its ra%s should not #all on the e%es o# the slee"ing esus and !a)e him: there she sat&lost in the $er% ma?est% o# (liss& at once the mother and the sla$e o# the ;ord esus.

9he sat #or a time still as mar(le !aiting #or mar(le to a!a)e& heed#ul as tenderest !oman not torouse him (e#ore his time& though her heart !as s!elling !ith the eager "etition that he !ouldas) his Father to (e as good as chasten her. And as she sat& she (egan& a#ter her !ont& to modelher #ace to the li)eness o# his& that she might understand his stillnessthe a(solute "eace thatd!elt on his countenance. 'ut as she did so& again a sudden dou(t in$aded her: esus la% so $er%stillne$er mo$ed& ne$er o"ened his "ale e%elids@ And no! set thin)ing& she noted that he did



not (reathe. 9he had seen (a(ies aslee"& and their (reath came and !enttheir little (osomshea$ed u" and do!n& and sometimes the% !ould smile& and sometimes the% !ould moan andsigh. 'ut esus did none o# all these things: !as it not strange And then he !as coldoh& socold@

A (lue sil) co$erlid la% on the (ed: she hal# rose and dragged it o##& and contri$ed to !ind itaround hersel# and the (a(%. 9ad at heart& $er% sad& (ut undisma%ed& she sat and !atched him onher la".

C*A3T I.

Meantime the morning o# Christmas Da% gre!. The light came and #illed the house. The slee"ers

sle"t late& (ut at length the% stirred. Alice a!o)e last#rom a trou(led slee"& in !hich the e$entso# the night mingled !ith her o!n lost condition and destin%. A#ter all 3oll% had (een )ind& shethought& and got 9o"h% u" !ithout distur(ing her.

9he had (een (ut a #e! minutes do!n& !hen a strange and a""alling rumour made itsel#Icannot sa% audi(le& (utsomeho! )no!n through the house& and e$er% one hurried u" inhorri(le disma%.

The nurse had gone into the s"are room& and missed the little dead thing she had laid there. The (ed !as (et!een her and 3hos%& and she ne$er sa! her. The doctor had (een shar" !ith hera(out something the night (e#ore: she no! too) her re$enge in sus"icion o# him& and a#ter ahast% and #ruitless $isit o# in,uir% to the )itchen& hurried to Mr. Greatore2.

The ser$ants cro!ded to the s"are room& and !hen their master& incredulous indeed& %et shoc)edat the tidings (rought him& hastened to the s"ot& he #ound them all in the room& gathered at the#oot o# the (ed. A little sunlight #iltered through the red !indo!curtains& and ga$e a strange "allid e2"ression to the #lame o# the candle& !hich had no! (urned $er% lo!. At #irst he sa!nothing (ut the grou" o# ser$ants& silent& motionless& !ith heads leaning #or!ard& intentl% ga5ing:he had come ?ust in time: another moment and the% !ould ha$e ruined the lo$el% sight. *este""ed #or!ard& and sa! 3hos%& hal# shrouded in (lue& the candle (ehind illuminating the hairshe had #ound too re(ellious to the (rush& and ma)ing o# it a #aint aureole a(out her head and!hite #ace& !hence cold and sorro! had dri$en all the #lush& rendering it colourless as that u"onher arm !hich had ne$er seen the light. 9he had "ored on the little #ace until she )ne! death& andno! she sat a s"eechless mother o# sorro!& (ending in the dim light o# the tom( o$er the (od% o# her hol% in#ant.

*o! it !as I cannot tell& (ut the moment her #ather sa! her she loo)ed u"& and the s"ell o# herdum(ness (ro)e.



-esus is dead&- she said& slo!l% and sadl%& (ut !ith "er#ect calmness. -*e is dead&- she re"eated.-*e came too earl%& and there !as no one u" to ta)e care o# him& and he4s deaddeaddead@-

'ut as she s"o)e the last !ords& the #ro5en lum" o# agon% ga$e !a%+ the !ell o# her heartsuddenl% #illed& s!elled& o$er#lo!ed+ the last !ord !as hal# so(& hal# shrie) o# utter des"air and

loss.

Alice darted #or!ard and too) the dead (a(% tenderl% #rom her. The same moment her #atherraised the little mother and clas"ed her to his (osom. *er arms !ent round his nec)& her headsan) on his shoulder& and so((ing in grie$ous miser%& %et alread% a little com#orted& he (ore her#rom the room.

->o& no& 3hos%@- the% heard him sa%& -esus is not dead& than) God. It is onl% %our little (rotherthat hadn4t li#e enough& and is gone (ac) to God #or more.-

/ee"ing the !omen !ent do!n the stairs. Alice4s tears !ere still #lo!ing& !hen ohn e"hson

entered. *er o!n trou(les #orgotten in the emotion o# the scene she had ?ust !itnessed& she ran tohis arms and !e"t on his (osom.

ohn stood as one astonished.

- ;ord@ this 0is0 a Christmas@- he sighed at last.

-h ohn@- cried Alice& and tore hersel# #rom his em(race& -I #orgot@ Bou4ll ne$er s"ea) to meagain& ohn@ Don4t do it& ohn.-

And !ith the !ords she ga$e a sti#led cr%& and #ell a !ee"ing again& (ehind her t!o shieldinghands.

-/h%& Alice@%ou ain4t married& are %ou- gas"ed ohn& to !hom that !as the onl% "ossi(le e$il.

->o& ohn& and ne$er shall (e: a res"ecta(le man li)e %ou !ould ne$er thin) o# loo)ing t!ice at a "oor girl li)e me@-

-;et4s ha$e one more loo) an%ho!&- said ohn& dra!ing her hands #rom her #ace. -Tell me !hat4sthe matter& and i# there4s an%thing can (e done to right %ou& I4ll !or) da% and night to do it&Alice.-

-There4s nothing 0can0 (e done& ohn&- re"lied Alice& and !ould again ha$e #loated out on theocean o# her miser%& (ut in s"ite o# !ind and tide& that is so(s and tears& she held on (% the shoreat his entreat%& and told her tale& not e$en omitting the #act that !hen she !ent to the eldest o# thecousins& inheriting through the mis#ortune o# her and her (rother so much more than theire2"ected share& and -demeaned hersel#- to (eg a little hel" #or her (rother& !ho !as d%ing o#consum"tion& he had all (ut ordered her out o# the house& s!earing he had nothing to do !ith heror her (rother& and sa%ing she ought to (e ashamed to sho! her #ace.



-And that !hen !e used to ma)e mud "ies together@- concluded Alice !ith indignation. -There&ohn@ %ou ha$e it all&- she added. -And no!-

/ith the !ord she ga$e a dee"& hum(l% ,uestioning loo) into his honest e%es.

-Is that all& Alice- he as)ed.

-Bes& ohn+ ain4t it enough- she returned.

-More4n enough&- ans!ered ohn. -I s!ear to %ou& Alice& %ou4re !orth to me ten times !hat %ou!ould ha4 (een& e$en i# %ou4d ha4 had me& !ith ten thousand "ounds in %our ridicule. /h%& m%!oman& I ne$er sa! %ou loo) one 4al# so 4an4some as %ou do no!@-

-'ut the disgrace o# it& ohn@- said Alice& hanging her head& and so hiding the "leasure that !ouldda!n through all the mist o# her miser%.

-;et %our #ather and mother settle that (et!i2t 4em& Alice. 4Tain4t none o4 m% (usiness. 3leaseGod& !e4ll do di##erent./hen shall it (e& m% girl-

-/hen %ou li)e& ohn&- ans!ered Alice& !ithout raising her head& thought#ull%.

/hen she had !ithdra!n hersel# #rom the too rigorous em(race !ith !hich he recei$ed herconsent& she remar)ed

-I do (elie$e& ohn& mone% ain4t a good thing@ 9ure as I li$e& !ith the $er% !ind o4 that mone%&the de$il entered into me. Didn4t %ou hate me& ohn 9"ea) the truth no!.-

->o& Alice. I did cr% a (it o$er %ou& though. Bou 0!as0 "ossessed li)e.-

-I 0!as0 "ossessed. I do (elie$e i# that mone% hadn4t (een too) #rom me& I4d ne$er ha4 had %ou&ohn. Ain4t it a!#ul to thin) on-

-/ell& no. 4 coorse@ *o! could %e- said e"hson!ith reluctance.

->o!& ohn& don4t %e tal) li)e that& #or I !on4t stand it. Don4t %ou go #or to set me u" again !ithe2cusin4 o# me. I4m a nast% conceited cat& I amand all #or nothing (ut mean "ride.-

-Mind %e& %e4re mine no!& Alice+ an4 !hat4s mine4s mine& an4 I !on4t ha$e it a(used. I )no!s %out!ice the !oman %ou !as a#ore& and all the !orld couldn4t gi4 me such another Christmas(o2no& not i# it !as all gold !atches and roast (ee#.-

/hen Mr. Greatore2 returned to his !i#e4s room& and thought to #ind her aslee" as he had le#t her&he !as disma%ed to hear sounds o# so#t !ee"ing #rom the (ed. 9ome tone or stra% !ord& ne$erintended to reach her ear& had (een enough to re$eal the truth concerning her (a(%.



-*ush@ hush@- he said& !ith more lo$e in his heart than had mo$ed there #or man% months& andthere#ore more in his tone than she had heard #or as man%+-i# %ou cr% %ou !ill (e ill. *ush& m%dear@-

In a moment& ere he could "re$ent her& she had #lung her arms around his nec) as he stoo"ed

o$er her.

-*us(and@ hus(and@- she cried& -is it m% #ault-

-Bou (eha$ed "er#ectl%&- he returned. ->o !oman could ha$e (een (ra$er.-

-Ah& (ut I !ouldn4t sta% at home !hen %ou !anted me.-

->e$er mind that no!& m% child&- he said.

At the !ord she "ulled his #ace do!n to hers.

-I ha$e 0%ou0& and I don4t care&- he added.

-0Do0 %ou care to ha$e me- she said& !ith a so( that ended in a loud cr%. -h@ I don4t deser$eit. 'ut I 0!ill0 (e good a#ter tins. I "romise %ou I !ill.-

-Then %ou must (egin no!& m% darling. Bou must lie "er#ectl% still& and not cr% a (it& or %ou !illgo a#ter the (a(%& and I shall (e le#t alone.-

9he loo)ed u" at him !ith such a light in her #ace as he had ne$er dreamed o# there (e#ore. *ehad ne$er seen her so lo$el%. Then she !ithdre! her arms& re"ressed her tears& smiled& andturned her #ace a!a%. *e "ut her hands under the clothes& and in a minute or t!o she !as again#ast aslee".

C*A3T II.

That da%& !hen 3hos% and her #ather had sat do!n to their Christmas dinner& he rose again& andta)ing her u" as she sat& chair and all& set her do!n close to him& on the other side o# the cornero# the ta(le. It !as the #irst o# a ne! co$enant (et!een them. The #ather4s e%es ha$ing (eensuddenl% o"ened to her character and "reciousness& as !ell as to his o!n neglected dut% inregard to her& it !as as i# a !ell o# li#e had (urst #orth at his #eet. And e$er% da%& as he loo)ed inher #ace and tal)ed to her& it !as !ith more and more res"ect #or !hat he #ound in her& !ithgro!ing tenderness #or her "redilections& and re$erence #or the di$ine idea enclosed in herignorance& #or her childish !isdom& and her calm see)inguntil at length he !ould ha$e (eenhorri#ied at the thought o# training her u" in 0his0 !a%: had she not a !a% o# her o!n to go#ollo!ingnot the dead esus& (ut *im !ho li$eth #or e$ermore In the endea$our to hel" her& he



had to #ind his o!n "osition to!ards the truth+ and the results !ere !eight%.>or did the child4sin#luence !or) #or!ard merel%. In his intercourse !ith her he !as so o#ten reminded o# his #irst!i#e& and that& !ith the gloss or comment o# a childish re"roduction& that his memories o# her atlength gre! a little tender& and through the child he (egan to understand the nature and !orth o#the mother. In her child she had gi$en him !hat she could not (e hersel#. =na(le to )ee" u" !ith

him& she had handed him her (a(%& and dro""ed on the "ath.

>or !as little 9o"h% his onl% com#ort. Through their common loss and her hus(and4s tenderness&;ett% (egan to gro! a !oman. And her gro!th !as the more ra"id that& himsel# taught through3hos%& her hus(and no longer desired to ma)e her ado"t his tastes& and ?udge !ith hise2"eriences& (ut& as (ecame the elder and the tried& entered into her tastes and e2"eriences (ecame& as it !ere& a child again !ith her& that& through the thing she !as& he might hel" thething she had to (e.

As soon as she !as a(le to (ear it& he told her the stor% o# the dead esus& and !ith the tale cameto her heart lo$e #or 3hos%. 9he had lost a son #or a season& (ut she had gained a daughter #or

e$er.

9uch !ere the gi#ts the Christchild (rought to one household that Christmas. And the da%s o# themourning o# that household !ere ended.

Golden <e%

There !as a (o% !ho used to sit in the t!ilight and listen to his greataunt4s stories.

9he told him that i# he could reach the "lace !here the end o# the rain(o! stands he !ould #indthere a golden )e%.

-And !hat is the )e% #or- the (o% !ould as). -/hat is it the )e% o# /hat !ill it o"en-

-That no(od% )no!s&- his aunt !ould re"l%. -*e has to #ind that out.-

-I su""ose& (eing gold&- the (o% once said& thought#ull%& -that I could get a good deal o# mone%#or it i# I sold it.-

-'etter ne$er #ind it than sell it&- returned his aunt. And then the (o% !ent to (ed and dreameda(out the golden )e%.

>o!& all that his greataunt told the (o% a(out the golden )e% !ould ha$e (een nonsense& had itnot (een that their little house stood on the (orders o# Fair%land. For it is "er#ectl% !ell )no!nthat out o# Fair%land no(od% e$er can #ind !here the rain(o! stands. The creature ta)es suchgood care o# its golden )e%& al!a%s #litting #rom "lace to "lace& lest an%one should #ind it@ 'ut inFair%land it is ,uite di##erent. Things that loo) real in this countr% loo) $er% thin indeed inFair%land& !hile some o# the things that here cannot stand still #or a moment& !ill not mo$e



there. 9o it !as not in the least a(surd o# the old lad% to tell her ne"he! such things a(out thegolden )e%.

-Did %ou e$er )no! an%(od% #ind ithe as)ed one e$ening.

-Bes. Bour #ather& I (elie$e& #ound it.-

-And !hat did he do !ith it& can %ou tell me-

-*e ne$er told me.-

-/hat !as it li)e-

-*e ne$er sho!ed it to me.-

-*o! does a ne! )e% come there al!a%s-

-I don4t )no!. There it is.-

-3erha"s it is the rain(o!4s egg.-

-3erha"s it is. Bou !ill (e a ha""% (o% i# %ou #ind the nest.-

-3erha"s it comes tum(ling do!n the rain(o! #rom the s)%.-

-3erha"s it does.-

ne e$ening& in summer& he !ent into his o!n room& and stood at the lattice!indo!& and ga5edinto the #orest !hich #ringed the outs)irts o# Fair%land. It came close u" to his greataunt4sgarden& and& indeed& sent some straggling trees into it. The #orest la% to the east& and the sun&!hich !as setting (ehind the cottage& loo)ed straight into the dar) !ood !ith his le$el red e%e.The trees !ere all old& and had #e! (ranches (elo!& so that the sun could see a great !a% into the#orest+ and the (o%& (eing )eensighted& could see almost as #ar as the sun. The trun)s stood li)ero!s o# red columns in the shine o# the red sun& and he could see do!n aisle a#ter aisle in the$anishing distance. And as he ga5ed into the #orest he (egan to #eel as i# the trees !ere all!aiting #or him& and had something the% could not go on !ith till he came to them. 'ut he !ashungr%& and !anted his su""er. 9o he lingered.

9uddenl%& #ar among the trees& as #ar as the sun could shine& he sa! a glorious thing. It !as theend o# a rain(o!& large and (rilliant. *e could count all the se$en colours& and could see shadea#ter shade (e%ond the $iolet+ !hile (e#ore the red stood a colour more gorgeous and m%steriousstill. It !as a colour he had ne$er seen (e#ore. nl% the s"ring o# the rain(o!arch !as $isi(le.*e could see nothing o# it a(o$e the trees.

-The golden )e%@- he said to himsel#& and darted out o# the house& and into the !ood.



*e had not gone #ar (e#ore the sun set. 'ut the rain(o! onl% glo!ed the (righter: #or the rain(o!o# Fair%land is not de"endent u"on the sun as ours is. The trees !elcomed him. The (ushes made!a% #or him. The rain(o! gre! larger and (righter+ and at length he #ound himsel# !ithin t!otrees o# it.

It !as a grand sight& (urning a!a% there in silence& !ith its gorgeous& its lo$el%& its delicatecolours& each distinct& all com(ining. *e could no! see a great deal more o# it. It rose high intothe (lue hea$ens& (ut (ent so little that he could not tell ho! high the cro!n o# the arch mustreach. It !as still onl% a small "ortion o# a huge (o!.

*e stood ga5ing at it till he #orgot himsel# !ith delighte$en #orgot the )e% !hich he had cometo see). And as he stood it gre! more !onder#ul still. For in each o# the colours& !hich !as aslarge as the column o# a church& he could #aintl% see (eauti#ul #orms slo!l% ascending as i# (%the ste"s o# a !inding stair. The #orms a""eared irregularl%no! one& no! man%& no! se$eral&no! nonemen and !omen and childrenall di##erent& all (eauti#ul.

*e dre! nearer to the rain(o!. It $anished. *e started (ac) a ste" in disma%. It !as there again&as (eauti#ul as e$er. 9o he contented himsel# !ith standing as near it as he might& and !atchingthe #orms that ascended the glorious colours to!ards the un)no!n height o# the arch& !hich didnot end a(ru"tl%& (ut #aded a!a% in the (lue air& so graduall% that he could not sa% !here itceased.

/hen the thought o# the golden )e% returned& the (o% $er% !isel% "roceeded to mar) out in hismind the s"ace co$ered (% the #oundation o# the rain(o!& in order that he might )no! !here tosearch& should the rain(o! disa""ear. It !as (ased chie#l% u"on a (ed o# moss.

Meantime it had gro!n ,uite dar) in the !ood. The rain(o! alone !as $isi(le (% its o!n light.'ut the moment the moon rose the rain(o! $anished. >or could an% change o# "lace restore the$ision to the (o%4s e%es. 9o he thre! himsel# do!n u"on the moss% (ed& to !ait till the sunlight!ould gi$e him a chance o# #inding the )e%. There he #ell #ast aslee".

/hen he !o)e in the morning the sun !as loo)ing straight into his e%es. *e turned a!a% #rom it&and the same moment sa! a (rilliant little thing l%ing on the moss !ithin a #oot o# his #ace. It!as the golden )e%. The "i"e o# it !as o# "lain gold& as (right as gold could (e. The handle !ascuriousl% !rought and set !ith sa""hires. In a terror o# delight he "ut out his hand and too) it&and had it.

*e la% #or a !hile& turning it o$er and o$er& and #eeding his e%es u"on its (eaut%. Then he ?um"ed to his #eet& remem(ering that the "rett% thing !as o# no use to him %et. /here !as theloc) to !hich the )e% (elonged It must (e some!here& #or ho! could an%(od% (e so sill% asma)e a )e% #or !hich there !as no loc) /here should he go to loo) #or it *e ga5ed a(out him&u" into the air& do!n to the earth& (ut sa! no )e%hole in the clouds& in the grass& or in the trees.

ust as he (egan to gro! disconsolate& ho!e$er& he sa! something glimmering in the !ood. It!as a mere glimmer that he sa!& (ut he too) it #or a glimmer o# rain(o!& and !ent to!ards it.And no! I !ill go (ac) to the (orders o# the #orest.



>ot #ar #rom the house !here the (o% had li$ed there !as another house& the o!ner o# !hich !asa merchant& !ho !as much a!a% #rom home. *e had lost his !i#e some %ears (e#ore& and hadonl% one child& a little girl& !hom he le#t to the charge o# t!o ser$ants& !ho !ere $er% idle andcareless. 9o she !as neglected and le#t untid%& and !as sometimes illused (esides.

>o!& it is !ell )no!n that the little creatures commonl% called #airies& though there are man%di##erent )inds o# #airies in Fair%land& ha$e an e2ceeding disli)e to untidiness. Indeed& the% are,uite s"ite#ul to slo$enl% "eo"le. 'eing used to all the lo$el% !a%s o# the trees and #lo!ers& andto the neatness o# the (irds and all !oodland creatures& it ma)es them #eel misera(le& e$en intheir dee" !oods and on their grass% car"ets& to thin) that !ithin the same moonlight lies a dirt%&uncom#orta(le& slo$enl% house. And this ma)es them angr% !ith the "eo"le that li$e in it& andthe% !ould gladl% dri$e them out o# the !orld i# the% could. The% !ant the !hole earth nice andclean. 9o the% "inch the maids (lac) and (lue& and "la% them all manner o# uncom#orta(le tric)s.

'ut this house !as ,uite a shame& and the #airies in the #orest could not endure it. The% tried

e$er%thing on the maids !ithout e##ect& and at last resol$ed u"on ma)ing a clean riddance& (eginning !ith the child. The% ought to ha$e )no!n that it !as not her #ault& (ut the% ha$e little "rinci"le and much mischie# in them& and the% thought that i# the% got rid o# her the maids !ould (e sure to (e turned a!a%.

9o one e$ening& the "oor little girl ha$ing (een "ut to (ed earl%& (e#ore the sun !as do!n& theser$ants !ent o## to the $illage& loc)ing the door (ehind them. The child did not )no! she !asalone& and la% contentedl% loo)ing out o# her !indo! to!ards the #orest& o# !hich& ho!e$er& shecould not see much& (ecause o# the i$% and other cree"ing "lants !hich had straggled across her!indo!. All at once she sa! an a"e ma)ing #aces at her out o# the mirror& and the heads car$edu"on a great old !ardro(e grinning #ear#ull%. Then t!o old s"iderlegged chairs came #or!ardinto the middle o# the room& and (egan to dance a ,ueer& old#ashioned dance. This set herlaughing& and she #orgot the a"e and the grinning heads. 9o the #airies sa! the% had made amista)e& and sent the chairs (ac) to their "laces. 'ut the% )ne! that she had (een reading thestor% o# 9il$erhair all da%. 9o the ne2t moment she heard the $oices o# the three (ears u"on thestair& (ig $oice& middle $oice& and little $oice& and she heard their so#t& hea$% tread& as i# the% hadhad stoc)ings o$er their (oots& coming nearer and nearer to the door o# her room& till she could (ear it no longer. 9he did ?ust as 9il$erhair did& and as the #airies !anted her to do: she darted tothe !indo!& "ulled it o"en& got u"on the i$%& and so scram(led to the ground. 9he then #led to the#orest as #ast as she could run.

>o!& although she did not )no! it& this !as the $er% (est !a% she could ha$e gone+ #or nothingis e$er so mischie$ous in its o!n "lace as it is out o# it+ and& (esides& these mischie$ous creatures!ere onl% the children o# Fair%land& as it !ere& and there are man% other (eings there as !ell+and i# a !anderer gets in among them& the good ones !ill al!a%s hel" him more than the e$ilones !ill (e a(le to hurt him.

The sun !as no! set& and the dar)ness coming on& (ut the child thought o# no danger (ut the (ears (ehind her. I# she had loo)ed round& ho!e$er& she !ould ha$e seen that she !as #ollo!ed (% a $er% di##erent creature #rom a (ear. It !as a curious creature& made li)e a #ish& (ut co$ered&



instead o# scales& !ith #eathers o# all colours& s"ar)ling li)e those o# a humming(ird. It had #ins&not !ings& and s!am through the air as a #ish does through the !ater. Its head !as li)e the heado# a small o!l.

A#ter running a long !a%& and as the last o# the light !as disa""earing& she "assed under a tree

!ith droo"ing (ranches. It dro""ed its (ranches to the ground all a(out her& and caught her as ina tra". 9he struggled to get out& (ut the (ranches "ressed her closer and closer to the trun). 9he!as in great terror and distress& !hen the air#ish& s!imming into the thic)et o# (ranches& (egantearing them !ith its (ea). The% loosened their hold at once& and the creature !ent on attac)ingthem& till at length the% let the child go. Then the air#ish came #rom (ehind her& and s!am on in#ront& glittering and s"ar)ling all lo$el% colours+ and she #ollo!ed.

It led her gentl% along till all at once it s!am in at a cottagedoor. The child #ollo!ed still. There!as a (right #ire in the middle o# the #loor& u"on !hich stood a "ot !ithout a lid& #ull o# !aterthat (oiled and (u((led #uriousl%. The air#ish s!am straight to the "ot and into the (oiling !ater&!here it la% ,uiet. A (eauti#ul !oman rose #rom the o""osite side o# the #ire and came to meet

the girl. 9he too) her u" in her arms& and said&

-Ah& %ou are come at last@ I ha$e (een loo)ing #or %ou a long time.-

9he sat do!n !ith her on her la"& and there the girl sat staring at her. 9he had ne$er seenan%thing so (eauti#ul. 9he !as tall and strong& !ith !hite arms and nec)& and a delicate #lush onher #ace. The child could not tell !hat !as the colour o# her hair& (ut could not hel" thin)ing ithad a tinge o# dar) green. 9he had not one ornament u"on her& (ut she loo)ed as i# she had ?ust "ut o## ,uantities o# diamonds and emeralds. Bet here she !as in the sim"lest& "oorest littlecottage& !here she !as e$identl% at home. 9he !as dressed in shining green.

The girl loo)ed at the lad%& and the lad% loo)ed at the girl.

-/hat is %our name- as)ed the lad%.

-The ser$ants al!a%s call me Tangle.-

-Ah& that !as (ecause %our hair !as so untid%. 'ut that !as their #ault& the naught% !omen@ 9tillit is a "rett% name& and I !ill call %ou Tangle too. Bou must not mind m% as)ing %ou ,uestions&#or %ou ma% as) me the same ,uestions& e$er% one o# them& and an% others that %ou li)e. *o!old are %ou-

-Ten&- ans!ered Tangle.

-Bou don4t loo) li)e it&- said the lad%.

-*o! old are %ou& "lease- returned Tangle.

-Thousands o# %ears old&- ans!ered the lad%.



-Bou don4t loo) li)e it&- said Tangle.

-Don4t I I thin) I do. Don4t %ou see ho! (eauti#ul I am-

And her great (lue e%es loo)ed do!n on the little Tangle& as i# all the stars in the s)% !ere melted

in them to ma)e their (rightness.

-Ah@ (ut&- said Tangle& -!hen "eo"le li$e long the% gro! old. At least I al!a%s thought so.-

-I ha$e no time to gro! old&- said the lad%. -I am too (us% #or that. It is $er% idle to gro! old.'ut I cannot ha$e m% little girl so untid%. Do %ou )no! I can4t #ind a clean s"ot on %our #ace to)iss-

-3erha"s&- suggested Tangle& #eeling ashamed& (ut not too much so to sa% a !ord #orhersel#-"erha"s that is (ecause the tree made me cr% so.-

-M% "oor darling@- said the lad%& loo)ing no! as i# the moon !ere melted in her e%es& and)issing her little #ace& dirt% as it !as& -the naught% tree must su##er #or ma)ing a girl cr%.-

-And !hat is %our name& "lease- as)ed Tangle.

-Grandmother&- ans!ered the lad%.

-Is it reall%-

-Bes& indeed. I ne$er tell stories& e$en in #un.-

-*o! good o# %ou@-

-I couldn4t i# I tried. It !ould come true i# I said it& and then I should (e "unished enough.- Andshe smiled li)e the sun through a summersho!er.

-'ut no!&- she !ent on& -I must get %ou !ashed and dressed& and then !e shall ha$e somesu""er.-

-h@ I had su""er long ago&- said Tangle.

-Bes& indeed %ou had&- ans!ered the lad%-three %ears ago. Bou don4t )no! that it is three %earssince %ou ran a!a% #rom the (ears. Bou are thirteen and more no!.-

Tangle could onl% stare. 9he #elt ,uite sure it !as true.

-Bou !ill not (e a#raid o# an%thing I do !ith %ou!ill %ou- said the lad%.

-I !ill tr% $er% hard not to (e+ (ut I can4t (e certain& %ou )no!&- re"lied Tangle.



-I li)e %our sa%ing so& and I shall (e ,uite satis#ied&- ans!ered the lad%.

9he too) o## the girl4s nightgo!n& rose !ith her in her arms& and going to the !all o# the cottage&o"ened a door. Then Tangle sa! a dee" tan)& the sides o# !hich !ere #illed !ith green "lants&!hich had #lo!ers o# all colours. There !as a roo# o$er it li)e the roo# o# the cottage. It !as

#illed !ith (eauti#ul clear !ater& in !hich s!am a multitude o# such #ishes as the one that had ledher to the cottage. It !as the light their colours ga$e that sho!ed the "lace in !hich the% !ere.

The lad% s"o)e some !ords Tangle could not understand& and thre! her into the tan).

The #ishes came cro!ding a(out her. T!o or three o# them got under her head and )e"t it u". Therest o# them ru((ed themsel$es all o$er her& and !ith their !et #eathers !ashed her ,uite clean.Then the lad%& !ho had (een loo)ing on all the time& s"o)e again+ !hereu"on some thirt% or#ort% o# the #ishes rose out o# the !ater underneath Tangle& and so (ore her u" to the arms thelad% held out to ta)e her. 9he carried her (ac) to the #ire& and& ha$ing dried her !ell& o"ened achest& and ta)ing out the #inest linen garments& smelling o# grass and la$ender& "ut them u"on

her& and o$er all a green dress& ?ust li)e her o!n& shining li)e hers& and so#t li)e hers& and goinginto ?ust such lo$el% #olds #rom the !aist& !here it !as tied !ith a (ro!n cord& to her (are #eet.

-/on4t %ou gi$e me a "air o# shoes too& Grandmother- said Tangle.

->o& m% dear+ no shoes. ;oo) here. I !ear no shoes.-

9o sa%ing she li#ted her dress a little& and there !ere the lo$eliest !hite #eet& (ut no shoes. ThenTangle !as content to go !ithout shoes too. And the lad% sat do!n !ith her again& and com(edher hair& and (rushed it& and then le#t it to dr% !hile she got the su""er.

First she got (read out o# one hole in the !all+ then mil) out o# another+ then se$eral )inds o##ruit out o# a third+ and then she !ent to the "ot on the #ire& and too) out the #ish& no! nicel%coo)ed& and& as soon as she had "ulled o## its #eathered s)in& read% to (e eaten.

-'ut&- e2claimed Tangle. And she stared at the #ish& and could sa% no more.

-I )no! !hat %ou mean&- returned the lad%. -Bou do not li)e to eat the messenger that (rought%ou home. 'ut it is the )indest return %ou can ma)e. The creature !as a#raid to go until it sa!me "ut the "ot on& and heard me "romise it should (e (oiled the moment it returned !ith %ou.Then it darted out o# the door at once. Bou sa! it go into the "ot o# itsel# the moment it entered&did %ou not-

-I did&- ans!ered Tangle& -and I thought it $er% strange+ (ut then I sa! %ou& and #orgot all a(outthe #ish.-

-In Fair%land&- resumed the lad%& as the% sat do!n to the ta(le& -the am(ition o# the animals is to (e eaten (% the "eo"le+ #or that is their highest end in that condition. 'ut the% are not there#oredestro%ed. ut o# that "ot comes something more than the dead #ish& %ou !ill see.-



Tangle no! remar)ed that the lid !as on the "ot. 'ut the lad% too) no #urther notice o# it till the%had eaten the #ish& !hich Tangle #ound nicer than an% #ish she had e$er tasted (e#ore. It !as as!hite as sno!& and as delicate as cream. And the moment she had s!allo!ed a mouth#ul o# it& achange she could not descri(e (egan to ta)e "lace in her. 9he heard a murmuring all a(out her&!hich (ecame more and more articulate& and at length& as she !ent on eating& gre! intelligi(le.

'% the time she had #inished her share& the sounds o# all the animals in the #orest came cro!dingthrough the door to her ears+ #or the door still stood !ide o"en& though it !as "itch dar) outside+and the% !ere no longer sounds onl%+ the% !ere s"eech& and s"eech that she could understand.9he could tell !hat the insects in the cottage !ere sa%ing to each other too. 9he had e$en asus"icion that the trees and #lo!ers all a(out the cottage !ere holding midnight communications!ith each other+ (ut !hat the% said she could not hear.

As soon as the #ish !as eaten& the lad% !ent to the #ire and too) the lid o## the "ot. A lo$el% littlecreature in human sha"e& !ith large !hite !ings& rose out o# it& and #le! round and round theroo# o# the cottage+ then dro""ed& #luttering& and nestled in the la" o# the lad%. 9he s"o)e to itsome strange !ords& carried it to the door& and thre! it out into the dar)ness. Tangle heard the

#la""ing o# its !ings die a!a% in the distance.

->o! ha$e !e done the #ish an% harm- she said& returning.

->o&- ans!ered Tangle& -I do not thin) !e ha$e. I should not mind eating one e$er% da%.-

-The% must !ait their time& li)e %ou and me too& m% little Tangle.-

And she smiled a smile !hich the sadness in it made more lo$el%.

-'ut&- she continued& -I thin) !e ma% ha$e one #or su""er tomorro!.-

9o sa%ing she !ent to the door o# the tan)& and s"o)e+ and no! Tangle understood her "er#ectl%.

-I !ant one o# %ou&- she said&-the !isest.-

Thereu"on the #ishes got together in the middle o# the tan)& !ith their heads #orming a circlea(o$e the !ater& and their tails a larger circle (eneath it. The% !ere holding a council& in !hichtheir relati$e !isdom should (e determined. At length one o# them #le! u" into the lad%4s hand&loo)ing li$el% and read%.

-Bou )no! !here the rain(o! stands- she as)ed.

-Bes& Mother& ,uite !ell&- ans!ered the #ish.

-'ring home a %oung man %ou !ill #ind there& !ho does not )no! !here to go.-

The #ish !as out o# the door in a moment. Then the lad% told Tangle it !as time to go to (ed+and& o"ening another door in the side o# the cottage& sho!ed her a little ar(our& cool and green&



Moss% held out his hand. The moment the lad% sa! that it !as the golden )e%& she rose #rom herchair& )issed Moss% on the #orehead& made him sit do!n on her seat& and stood (e#ore him li)e aser$ant. Moss% could not (ear this& and rose at once. 'ut the lad% (egged him& !ith tears in her (eauti#ul e%es& to sit& and let her !ait on him.

-'ut %ou are a great& s"lendid& (eauti#ul lad%&- said Moss%.

-Bes& I am. 'ut I !or) all da% longthat is m% "leasure+ and %ou !ill ha$e to lea$e me so soon@-

-*o! do %ou )no! that& i# %ou "lease& madam- as)ed Moss%.

-'ecause %ou ha$e got the golden )e%.-

-'ut I don4t )no! !hat it is #or. I can4t #ind the )e%hole. /ill %ou tell me !hat to do-

-Bou must loo) #or the )e%hole. That is %our !or). I cannot hel" %ou. I can onl% tell %ou that i#

%ou loo) #or it %ou !ill #ind it.-

-/hat )ind o# (o2 !ill it o"en /hat is there inside-

-I do not )no!. I dream a(out it& (ut I )no! nothing.-

-Must I go at once-

-Bou ma% sto" here tonight& and ha$e some o# m% su""er. 'ut %ou must go in the morning. All Ican do #or %ou is to gi$e %ou clothes. *ere is a girl called Tangle& !hom %ou must ta)e !ith%ou.-

-That 0!ill0 (e nice&- said Moss%.

->o& no@- said Tangle. -I don4t !ant to lea$e %ou& "lease& Grandmother.-

-Bou must go !ith him& Tangle. I am sorr% to lose %ou& (ut it !ill (e the (est thing #or %ou. $enthe #ishes& %ou see& ha$e to go into the "ot& and then out into the dar). I# %ou #all in !ith the ldMan o# the 9ea& mind %ou as) him !hether he has not got some more #ishes read% #or me. M%tan) is getting thin.-

9o sa%ing& she too) the #ish #rom the "ot& and "ut the lid on as (e#ore. The% sat do!n and ate the#ish& and then the !inged creature rose #rom the "ot& circled the roo#& and settled on the lad%4sla". 9he tal)ed to it& carried it to the door& and thre! it out into the dar). The% heard the #la" o#its !ings die a!a% in the distance.

The lad% then sho!ed Moss% into ?ust such another cham(er as that o# Tangle+ and in themorning he #ound a suit o# clothes laid (eside him. *e loo)ed $er% handsome in them. 'ut the!earer o# Grandmother4s clothes ne$er thin)s a(out ho! he or she loo)s& (ut thin)s al!a%s ho!handsome other "eo"le are.



Tangle !as $er% un!illing to go.

-/h% should I lea$e %ou I don4t )no! the %oung man&- she said to the lad%.

-I am ne$er allo!ed to )ee" m% children long. Bou need not go !ith him e2ce"t %ou "lease& (ut%ou must go some da%+ and I should li)e %ou to go !ith him& #or he has the golden )e%. >o girlneed (e a#raid to go !ith a %outh that has the golden )e%. Bou !ill ta)e care o# her& Moss%& !ill%ou not-

-That I !ill&- said Moss%.

And Tangle cast a glance at him& and thought she should li)e to go !ith him.

-And&- said the lad%& -i# %ou should lose each other as %ou go through thetheI ne$er canremem(er the name o# that countr%&do not (e a#raid& (ut go on and on.-

9he )issed Tangle on the mouth and Moss% on the #orehead& led them to the door& and !a$ed herhand east!ard. Moss% and Tangle too) each other4s hand and !al)ed a!a% into the de"th o# the#orest. In his right hand Moss% held the golden )e%.

The% !andered thus a long !a%& !ith endless amusement #rom the tal) o# the animals. The% soonlearned enough o# their language to as) them necessar% ,uestions. The s,uirrels !ere al!a%s#riendl%& and ga$e them nuts out o# their o!n hoards+ (ut the (ees !ere sel#ish and rude& ?usti#%ing themsel$es on the ground that Tangle and Moss% !ere not su(?ects o# their ,ueen& andcharit% must (egin at home& though indeed the% had not one drone in their "oorhouse at the time.$en the (lin)ing moles !ould #etch them an earthnut or a tru##le no! and then& tal)ing as i#their mouths& as !ell as their e%es and ears& !ere #ull o# cotton !ool& or their o!n $el$et% #ur. '%the time the% got out o# the #orest the% !ere $er% #ond o# each other& and Tangle !as not in theleast sorr% that her grandmother had sent her a!a% !ith Moss%.

At length the trees gre! smaller& and stood #arther a"art& and the ground (egan to rise& and it gotmore and more stee"& till the trees !ere all le#t (ehind& and the t!o !ere clim(ing a narro! "ath!ith roc)s on each side. 9uddenl% the% came u"on a rude door!a%& (% !hich the% entered anarro! galler% cut in the roc). It gre! dar)er and dar)er& till it !as "itchdar)& and the% had to#eel their !a%. At length the light (egan to return& and at last the% came out u"on a narro! "athon the #ace o# a lo#t% "reci"ice. This "ath !ent !inding do!n the roc) to a !ide "lain& circular insha"e& and surrounded on all sides (% mountains. Those o""osite to them !ere a great !a% o##&and to!ered to an a!#ul height& shooting u" shar"& (lue& iceenamelled "innacles. An uttersilence reigned !here the% stood. >ot e$en the sound o# !ater reached them.

;oo)ing do!n& the% could not tell !hether the $alle% (elo! !as a grass% "lain or a great stillla)e. The% had ne$er seen an% s"ace loo) li)e it. The !a% to it !as di##icult and dangerous& (utdo!n the narro! "ath the% !ent& and reached the (ottom in sa#et%. The% #ound it com"osed o#smooth& lightcoloured sandstone& undulating in "arts& (ut mostl% le$el. It !as no !onder to themno! that the% had not (een a(le to tell !hat it !as& #or this sur#ace !as e$er%!here cro!ded



!ith shado!s. The mass !as chie#l% made u" o# the shado!s o# lea$es innumera(le& o# all lo$el%and imaginati$e #orms& !a$ing to and #ro& #loating and ,ui$ering in the (reath o# a (ree5e !hosemotion !as un#elt& !hose sound !as unheard. >o #orests clothed the mountainsides& no trees!ere an%!here to (e seen& and %et the shado!s o# the lea$es& (ranches& and stems o# all $arioustrees co$ered the $alle% as #ar as their e%es could reach. The% soon s"ied the shado!s o# #lo!ers

mingled !ith those o# the lea$es& and no! and then the shado! o# a (ird !ith o"en (ea)& andthroat distended !ith song. At times !ould a""ear the #orms o# strange& grace#ul creatures&running u" and do!n the shado!(oles and along the (ranches& to disa""ear in the !indtossed#oliage. As the% !al)ed the% !aded )needee" in the lo$el% la)e. For the shado!s !ere notmerel% l%ing on the sur#ace o# the ground& (ut hea"ed u" a(o$e it li)e su(stantial #orms o#dar)ness& as i# the% had (een cast u"on a thousand di##erent "lanes o# the air. Tangle and Moss%o#ten li#ted their heads and ga5ed u"!ards to discr% !hence the shado!s came+ (ut the% couldsee nothing more than a (right mist s"read a(o$e them& higher than the to"s o# the mountains&!hich stood clear against it. >o #orests& no lea$es& no (irds !ere $isi(le.

A#ter a !hile& the% reached more o"en s"aces& !here the shado!s !ere thinner+ and came e$en

to "ortions o$er !hich shado!s onl% #litted& lea$ing them clear #or such as might #ollo!. >o! a!onder#ul #orm& hal# (irdli)e hal# human& !ould #loat across on outs"read sailing "inions. Anonan e2,uisite shado! grou" o# gam(olling children !ould (e #ollo!ed (% the lo$eliest #emale#orm& and that again (% the grand stride o# a Titanic sha"e& each disa""earing in the surrounding "ress o# shado!% #oliage. 9ometimes a "ro#ile o# uns"ea)a(le (eaut% or grandeur !ould a""ear#or a moment and $anish. 9ometimes the% seemed lo$ers that "assed lin)ed arm in arm&sometimes #ather and son& sometimes (rothers in lo$ing contest& sometimes sisters ent!ined ingrace#ullest communit% o# com"le2 #orm. 9ometimes !ild horses !ould tear across& #ree& or (estrode (% no(le shado!s o# ruling men. 'ut some o# the things !hich "leased them most the%ne$er )ne! ho! to descri(e.

A(out the middle o# the "lain the% sat do!n to rest in the heart o# a hea" o# shado!s. A#tersitting #or a !hile& each& loo)ing u"& sa! the other in tears: the% !ere each longing a#ter thecountr% !hence the shado!s #ell.

-/e 0must0 #ind the countr% #rom !hich the shado!s come&- said Moss%.

-/e must& dear Moss%&- res"onded Tangle. -/hat i# %our golden )e% should (e the )e% to 0it0-

-Ah@ that !ould (e grand&- returned Moss%.-'ut !e must rest here #or a little& and then !e shall (e a(le to cross the "lain (e#ore night.-

9o he la% do!n on the ground& and a(out him on e$er% side& and o$er his head& !as the constant "la% o# the !onder#ul shado!s. *e could loo) through them& and see the one (ehind the other&till the% mi2ed in a mass o# dar)ness. Tangle& too& la% admiring& and !ondering& and longing a#ter the countr% !hence the shado!s came. /hen the% !ere rested the% rose and "ursued their ?ourne%.

*o! long the% !ere in crossing this "lain I cannot tell+ (ut (e#ore night Moss%4s hair !asstrea)ed !ith gra%& and Tangle had got !rin)les on her #orehead.



As e$ening gre! on& the shado!s #ell dee"er and rose higher. At length the% reached a "lace!here the% rose a(o$e their heads& and made all dar) around them. Then the% too) hold o# eachother4s hand& and !al)ed on in silence and in some disma%. The% #elt the gathering dar)ness& andsomething strangel% solemn (esides& and the (eaut% o# the shado!s ceased to delight them. All at

once Tangle #ound that she had not a hold o# Moss%4s hand& though !hen she lost it she could nottell.

-Moss%& Moss%@- she cried aloud in terror.

'ut no Moss% re"lied.

A moment a#ter& the shado!s san) to her #eet& and do!n under her #eet& and the mountains rose (e#ore her. 9he turned to!ards the gloom% region she had le#t& and called once more u"onMoss%. There the gloom la% tossing and hea$ing& a dar)& storm%& #oamless sea o# shado!s& (ut noMoss% rose out o# it& or came clim(ing u" the hill on !hich she stood. 9he thre! hersel# do!n

and !e"t in des"air.

9uddenl% she remem(ered that the (eauti#ul lad% had told them& i# the% lost each other in acountr% o# !hich she could not remem(er the name& the% !ere not to (e a#raid& (ut to go straighton.

-And (esides&- she said to hersel#& -Moss% has the golden )e%& and so no harm !ill come to him&I do (elie$e.-

9he rose #rom the ground& and !ent on.

'e#ore long she arri$ed at a "reci"ice& in the #ace o# !hich a stair !as cut. /hen she hadascended hal#!a%& the stair ceased& and the "ath led straight into the mountain. 9he !as a#raid toenter& and turning again to!ards the stair& gre! gidd% at sight o# the de"th (eneath her& and !as#orced to thro! hersel# do!n in the mouth o# the ca$e.

/hen she o"ened her e%es& she sa! a (eauti#ul little #igure !ith !ings standing (eside her&!aiting.

-I )no! %ou&- said Tangle. -Bou are m% #ish.-

-Bes. 'ut I am a #ish no longer. I am an aeranth no!.-

-/hat is that- as)ed Tangle.

-/hat %ou see I am&- ans!ered the sha"e. -And I am come to lead %ou through the mountain.-

-h@ than) %ou& dear #ishaeranth& I mean&- returned Tangle& rising.



Thereu"on the aeranth too) to his !ings& and #le! on through the long& narro! "assage&reminding Tangle $er% much o# the !a% he had s!um on (e#ore her !hen he !as a #ish. And themoment his !hite !ings mo$ed& the% (egan to thro! o## a continuous sho!er o# s"ar)s o# allcolours& !hich lighted u" the "assage (e#ore them.All at once he $anished& and Tangle heard alo!& s!eet sound& ,uite di##erent #rom the rush and crac)le o# his !ings. 'e#ore her !as an o"en

arch& and through it came light& mi2ed !ith the sound o# sea!a$es.

9he hurried out& and #ell& tired and ha""%& u"on the %ello! sand o# the shore. There she la%& hal#aslee" !ith !eariness and rest& listening to the lo! "lash and retreat o# the tin% !a$es& !hichseemed e$er enticing the land to lea$e o## (eing land& and (ecome sea. And as she la%& her e%es!ere #i2ed u"on the #oot o# a great rain(o! standing #ar a!a% against the s)% on the other side o# the sea. At length she #ell #ast aslee".

/hen she a!o)e& she sa! an old man !ith long !hite hair do!n to his shoulders& leaning u"on astic) co$ered !ith green (uds& and so (ending o$er her.

-/hat do %ou !ant here& (eauti#ul !oman- he said.

-Am I (eauti#ul I am so glad@- said Tangle& rising. -M% grandmother is (eauti#ul.-

-Bes. 'ut !hat do %ou !ant- he re"eated& )indl%.

-I thin) I !ant %ou. Are not %ou the ld Man o# the 9ea-

-I am.-

-Then Grandmother sa%s& ha$e %ou an% more #ishes read% #or her-

-/e !ill go and see& m% dear&- ans!ered the old man& s"ea)ing %et more )indl% than (e#ore.-And I can do something #or %ou& can I not-

-Bessho! me the !a% u" to the countr% #rom !hich the shado!s #all&- said Tangle.

For there she ho"ed to #ind Moss% again.

-Ah@ indeed& that !ould (e !orth doing&- said the old man. -'ut I cannot& #or I do not )no! the!a% m%sel#. 'ut I !ill send %ou to the ld Man o# the arth. 3erha"s he can tell %ou. *e is mucholder than I am.-

;eaning on his sta##& he conducted her along the shore to a stee" roc)& that loo)ed li)e a "etri#iedshi" turned u"side do!n. The door o# it !as the rudder o# a great $essel& ages ago at the (ottomo# the sea. Immediatel% !ithin the door !as a stair in the roc)& do!n !hich the old man !ent&and Tangle #ollo!ed. At the (ottom the old man had his house& and there he li$ed.



As soon as she entered it& Tangle heard a strange noise& unli)e an%thing she had e$er heard (e#ore. 9he soon #ound that it !as the #ishes tal)ing. 9he tried to understand !hat the% said+ (uttheir s"eech !as so old#ashioned& and rude& and unde#ined& that she could not ma)e much o# it.

-I !ill go and see a(out those #ishes #or m% daughter&- said the ld Man o# the 9ea.

And mo$ing a slide in the !all o# his house& he #irst loo)ed out& and then ta""ed u"on a thic) "iece o# cr%stal that #illed the round o"ening. Tangle came u" (ehind him& and "ee"ing throughthe !indo! into the heart o# the great dee" green ocean& sa! the most curious creatures& some$er% ugl%& all $er% odd& and !ith es"eciall% ,ueer mouths& s!imming a(out e$er%!here& a(o$eand (elo!& (ut all coming to!ards the !indo! in ans!er to the ta" o# the ld Man o# the 9ea.nl% a #e! could get their mouths against the glass+ (ut those !ho !ere #loating miles a!a% %etturned their heads to!ards it. The old man loo)ed through the !hole #loc) care#ull% #or someminutes& and then turning to Tangle& said&

-I am sorr% I ha$e not got one read% %et. I !ant more time than she does. 'ut I !ill send some as

soon as I can.-

*e then shut the slide.

3resentl% a great noise arose in the sea. The old man o"ened the slide again& and ta""ed on theglass& !hereu"on the #ishes !ere all as still as slee".

-The% !ere onl% tal)ing a(out %ou&- he said. -And the% do s"ea) such nonsense@Tomorro!&-he continued& -I must sho! %ou the !a% to the ld Man o# the arth. *e li$es a long !a% #romhere.-

-Do let me go at once&- said Tangle.

->o. That is not "ossi(le. Bou must come this !a% #irst.-

*e led her to a hole in the !all& !hich she had not o(ser$ed (e#ore. It !as co$ered !ith thegreen lea$es and !hite (lossoms o# a cree"ing "lant.

-nl% !hite(lossoming "lants can gro! under the sea&- said the old man. -In there %ou !ill #inda (ath& in !hich %ou must lie till I call %ou.-

Tangle !ent in& and #ound a smaller room or ca$e& in the #urther corner o# !hich !as a great (asin hollo!ed out o# a roc)& and hal##ull o# the clearest sea!ater. ;ittle streams !ereconstantl% running into it #rom crac)s in the !all o# the ca$ern. It !as "olished ,uite smoothinside& and had a car"et o# %ello! sand in the (ottom o# it. ;arge green lea$es and !hite #lo!erso# $arious "lants cro!ded u" and o$er it& dra"ing and co$ering it almost entirel%.

>o sooner !as she undressed and l%ing in the (ath& than she (egan to #eel as i# the !ater !eresin)ing into her& and she !ere recei$ing all the good o# slee" !ithout undergoing its#orget#ulness. 9he #elt the good coming all the time. And she gre! ha""ier and more ho"e#ul



than she had (een since she lost Moss%. 'ut she could not hel" thin)ing ho! $er% sad it !as #or a "oor old man to li$e there all alone& and ha$e to ta)e care o# a !hole sea#ul o# stu"id and riotous#ishes.

A#ter a(out an hour& as she thought& she heard his $oice calling her& and rose out o# the (ath. All

the #atigue and aching o# her long ?ourne% had $anished. 9he !as as !hole& and strong& and !ellas i# she had sle"t #or se$en da%s.

eturning to the o"ening that led into the other "art o# the house& she started (ac) !ithama5ement& #or through it she sa! the #orm o# a grand man& !ith a ma?estic and (eauti#ul #ace&!aiting #or her.

-Come&- he said+ -I see %ou are read%.-

9he entered !ith re$erence.

-/here is the ld Man o# the 9ea- she as)ed& hum(l%.

-There is no one here (ut me&- he ans!ered& smiling. -9ome "eo"le call me the ld Man o# the9ea. thers ha$e another name #or me& and are terri(l% #rightened !hen the% meet me ta)ing a!al) (% the shore. There#ore I a$oid (eing seen (% them& #or the% are so a#raid& that the% ne$ersee !hat I reall% am. Bou see me no!.'ut I must sho! %ou the !a% to the ld Man o# thearth.-

*e led her into the ca$e !here the (ath !as& and there she sa!& in the o""osite corner& a secondo"ening in the roc).

-Go do!n that stair& and it !ill (ring %ou to him&- said the ld Man o# the 9ea.

/ith hum(le than)s Tangle too) her lea$e. 9he !ent do!n the !inding stair& till she (egan to#ear there !as no end to it. 9till do!n and do!n it !ent& rough and (ro)en& !ith s"rings o# !ater (ursting out o# the roc)s and running do!n the ste"s (eside her. It !as ,uite dar) a(out her& and%et she could see. For a#ter (eing in that (ath& "eo"le4s e%es al!a%s gi$e out a light the% can see (%. There !ere no cree"ing things in the !a%. All !as sa#e and "leasant though so dar) and dam"and dee".

At last there !as not one ste" more& and she #ound hersel# in a glimmering ca$e. n a stone inthe middle o# it sat a #igure !ith its (ac) to!ards herthe #igure o# an old man (ent dou(le !ithage. From (ehind she could see his !hite (eard s"read out on the roc)% #loor in #ront o# him. *edid not mo$e as she entered& so she "assed round that she might stand (e#ore him and s"ea) tohim.

The moment she loo)ed in his #ace& she sa! that he !as a %outh o# mar$ellous (eaut%. *e satentranced !ith the delight o# !hat he (eheld in a mirror o# something li)e sil$er& !hich la% onthe #loor at his #eet& and !hich #rom (ehind she had ta)en #or his !hite (eard. *e sat on& heedlesso# her "resence& "ale !ith the ?o% o# his $ision. 9he stood and !atched him. At length& all



trem(ling& she s"o)e. 'ut her $oice made no sound. Bet the %outh li#ted u" his head. *e sho!edno sur"rise& ho!e$er& at seeing heronl% smiled a !elcome.

-Are %ou the ld Man o# the arth- Tangle had said.

And the %outh ans!ered& and Tangle heard him& though not !ith her ears:

-I am. /hat can I do #or %ou-

-Tell me the !a% to the countr% !hence the shado!s #all.-

-Ah@ that I do not )no!. I onl% dream a(out it m%sel#. I see its shado!s sometimes in m% mirror:the !a% to it I do not )no!. 'ut I thin) the ld Man o# the Fire must )no!. *e is much olderthan I am. *e is the oldest man o# all.-

-/here does he li$e-

-I !ill sho! %ou the !a% to his "lace. I ne$er sa! him m%sel#.-

9o sa%ing& the %oung man rose& and then stood #or a !hile ga5ing at Tangle.

-I !ish I could see that countr% too&- he said. -'ut I must mind m% !or).-

*e led her to the side o# the ca$e& and told her to la% her ear against the !all.

-/hat do %ou hear- he as)ed.

-I hear&- ans!ered Tangle& -the sound o# a great !ater running inside the roc).-

-That ri$er runs do!n to the d!elling o# the oldest man o# allthe ld Man o# the Fire. I !ish Icould go to see him. 'ut I must mind m% !or). That ri$er is the onl% !a% to him.-

Then the ld Man o# the arth stoo"ed o$er the #loor o# the ca$e& raised a huge stone #rom it&and le#t it leaning. It disclosed a great hole that !ent "lum(do!n.

-That is the !a%&- he said.

-'ut there are no stairs.-

-Bou must thro! %oursel# in. There is no other !a%.-

9he turned and loo)ed him #ull in the #acestood so #or a !hole minute& as she thought: it !as a!hole %earthen thre! hersel# headlong into the hole.

/hen she came to hersel#& she #ound hersel# gliding do!n #ast and dee". *er head !as under!ater& (ut that did not signi#%& #or& !hen she thought a(out it& she could not remem(er that she



had (reathed once since her (ath in the ca$e o# the ld Man o# the 9ea. /hen she li#ted u" herhead a sudden and #ierce heat struc) her& and she san) it again instantl%& and !ent s!ee"ing on.

Graduall% the stream gre! shallo!er. At length she could hardl% )ee" her head under. Then the!ater could carr% her no #arther. 9he rose #rom the channel& and !ent ste" #or ste" do!n the

(urning descent. The !ater ceased altogether. The heat !as terri(le. 9he #elt scorched to the (one& (ut it did not touch her strength. It gre! hotter and hotter. 9he said& -I can (ear it nolonger.- Bet she !ent on.

At the long last& the stair ended at a rude arch!a% in an all (ut glo!ing roc). Through thisarch!a% Tangle #ell e2hausted into a cool moss% ca$e. The #loor and !alls !ere co$ered !ithmossgreen& so#t& and dam". A little stream s"outed #rom a rent in the roc) and #ell into a (asino# moss. 9he "lunged her #ace into it and dran). Then she li#ted her head and loo)ed around.Then she rose and loo)ed again. 9he sa! no one in the ca$e. 'ut the moment she stood u"rightshe had a mar$ellous sense that she !as in the secret o# the earth and all its !a%s. $er%thing shehad seen& or learned #rom (oo)s+ all that her grandmother had said or sung to her+ all the tal) o#

the (easts& (irds& and #ishes+ all that had ha""ened to her on her ?ourne% !ith Moss%& and sincethen in the heart o# the earth !ith the ld man and the lder manall !as "lain: she understoodit all& and sa! that e$er%thing meant the same thing& though she could not ha$e "ut it into !ordsagain.

The ne2t moment she descried& in a corner o# the ca$e& a little na)ed child sitting on the moss. *e!as "la%ing !ith (alls o# $arious colours and si5es& !hich he dis"osed in strange #igures u"onthe #loor (eside him. And no! Tangle #elt that there !as something in her )no!ledge !hich !asnot in her understanding. For she )ne! there must (e an in#inite meaning in the change andse,uence and indi$idual #orms o# the #igures into !hich the child arranged the (alls& as !ell as inthe $aried harmonies o# their colours& (ut !hat it all meant she could not tell.K *e !ent on (usil%& tirelessl%& "la%ing his solitar% game& !ithout loo)ing u"& or seeming to )no! that there!as a stranger in his dee"!ithdra!n cell. Diligentl% as a lacema)er shi#ts her (o((ins& heshi#ted and arranged his (alls. Flashes o# meaning !ould no! "ass #rom them to Tangle& andno! again all !ould (e not merel% o(scure& (ut utterl% dar). 9he stood loo)ing #or a long time&#or there !as #ascination in the sight+ and the longer she loo)ed the more an indescri(a(le $agueintelligence !ent on rousing itsel# in her mind. For se$en %ears she had stood there !atching thena)ed child !ith his coloured (alls& and it seemed to her li)e se$en hours& !hen all at once thesha"e the (alls too)& she )ne! not !h%& reminded her o# the alle% o# 9hado!s& and she s"o)e:

-/here is the ld Man o# the Fire- she said.

K I thin) I must (e inde(ted to >o$alis #or these geometrical #igures.

-*ere I am&- ans!ered the child& rising and lea$ing his (alls on the moss. -/hat can I do #or%ou-

There !as such an a!#ulness o# a(solute re"ose on the #ace o# the child that Tangle stood dum( (e#ore him. *e had no smile& (ut the lo$e in his large gra% e%es !as dee" as the centre. And !iththe re"ose there la% on his #ace a shimmer as o# moonlight& !hich seemed as i# an% moment it



might (rea) into such a ra$ishing smile as !ould cause the (eholder to !ee" himsel# to death.'ut the smile ne$er came& and the moonlight la% there un(ro)en. For the heart o# the child !astoo dee" #or an% smile to reach #rom it to his #ace.

-Are %ou the oldest man o# all- Tangle at length& although #illed !ith a!e& $entured to as).

-Bes& I am. I am $er%& $er% old. I am a(le to hel" %ou& I )no!. I can hel" e$er%(od%.- And thechild dre! near and loo)ed u" in her #ace so that she (urst into tears.

-Can %ou tell me the !a% to the countr% the shado!s #all #rom- she so((ed.

-Bes. I )no! the !a% ,uite !ell. I go there m%sel# sometimes. 'ut %ou could not go m% !a%+%ou are not old enough. I !ill sho! %ou ho! %ou can go.-

-Do not send me out into the great heat again&- "ra%ed Tangle.

-I !ill not&- ans!ered the child.

And he reached u"& and "ut his little cool hand on her heart.

->o!&- he said& -%ou can go. The #ire !ill not (urn %ou. Come.-

*e led her #rom the ca$e& and #ollo!ing him through another arch!a%& she #ound hersel# in a $astdesert o# sand and roc). The s)% o# it !as o# roc)& lo!ering o$er them li)e solid thunderclouds+and the !hole "lace !as so hot that she sa!& in (right ri$ulets& the %ello! gold and !hite sil$erand red co""er tric)ling molten #rom the roc)s. 'ut the heat ne$er came near her.

/hen the% had gone some distance& the child turned u" a great stone& and too) something li)e anegg #rom under it. *e ne2t dre! a long cur$ed line in the sand !ith his #inger& and laid the egg init. *e then s"o)e something Tangle could not understand. The egg (ro)e& a small sna)e cameout& and& l%ing in the line in the sand& gre! and gre! till he #illed it. The moment he !as thus#ullgro!n& he (egan to glide a!a%& undulating li)e a sea!a$e.

-Follo! that ser"ent&- said the child. -*e !ill lead %ou the right !a%.-

Tangle #ollo!ed the ser"ent. 'ut she could not go #ar !ithout loo)ing (ac) at the mar$ellouschild. *e stood alone in the midst o# the glo!ing desert& (eside a #ountain o# red #lame that had (urst #orth at his #eet& his na)ed !hiteness glimmering a "ale ros% red in the torrid #ire. There hestood& loo)ing a#ter her& till& #rom the lengthening distance& she could see him no more. Theser"ent !ent straight on& turning neither to the right nor le#t.

Meantime Moss% had got out o# the ;a)e o# 9hado!s& and& #ollo!ing his mourn#ul& lonel% !a%&had reached the seashore. It !as a dar)& storm% e$ening. The sun had set. The !ind !as (lo!ing#rom the sea. The !a$es had surrounded the roc) !ithin !hich la% the old man4s house. A dee"!ater rolled (et!een it and the shore& u"on !hich a ma?estic #igure !as !al)ing alone.



Moss% !ent u" to him and said&

-/ill %ou tell me !here to #ind the ld Man o# the 9ea-

-I am the ld Man o# the 9ea&- the #igure ans!ered.

-I see a strong )ingl% man o# middle age&- returned Moss%.

Then the old man loo)ed at him more intentl%& and said&

-Bour sight& %oung man& is (etter than that o# most !ho ta)e this !a%. The night is storm%: cometo m% house and tell me !hat I can do #or %ou.-

Moss% #ollo!ed him. The !a$es #le! #rom (e#ore the #ootste"s o# the ld Man o# the 9ea& andMoss% #ollo!ed u"on dr% sand.

/hen the% had reached the ca$e& the% sat do!n and ga5ed at each other.

>o! Moss% !as an old man (% this time. *e loo)ed much older than the ld Man o# the 9ea&and his #eet !ere $er% !ear%.

A#ter loo)ing at him #or a moment& the old man too) him (% the hand and led him into his innerca$e. There he hel"ed him to undress& and laid him in the (ath. And he sa! that one o# his handsMoss% did not o"en.

-/hat ha$e %ou in that hand- he as)ed.

Moss% o"ened his hand& and there la% the golden )e%.

-Ah@- said the old man& -that accounts #or %our )no!ing me. And I )no! the !a% %ou ha$e togo.-

-I !ant to #ind the countr% !hence the shado!s #all&- said Moss%.

-I dare sa% %ou do. 9o do I. 'ut meantime& one thing is certain./hat is that )e% #or& do %outhin)-

-For a )e%hole some!here. 'ut I don4t )no! !h% I )ee" it. I ne$er could #ind the )e%hole. AndI ha$e li$ed a good !hile& I (elie$e&- said Moss%& sadl%. -I4m not sure that I4m not old. I )no! m%#eet ache.-

-Do the%- said the old man& as i# he reall% meant to as) the ,uestion+ and Moss%& !ho !as stilll%ing in the (ath& !atched his #eet #or a moment (e#ore he re"lied&->o& the% do not. 3erha"s Iam not old either.-

-Get u" and loo) at %oursel# in the !ater.-



*e rose and loo)ed at himsel# in the !ater& and there !as not a gra% hair on his head or a !rin)leon his s)in.

-Bou ha$e tasted o# death no!&- said the old man. -Is it good-

-It is good&- said Moss%. -It is (etter than li#e.-

->o& said the old man: it is onl% more li#e.Bour #eet !ill ma)e no holes in the !ater no!.-

-/hat do %ou mean-

-I !ill sho! %ou that "resentl%.-

The% returned to the outer ca$e& and sat and tal)ed together #or a long time. At length the ldMan o# the 9ea rose& and said to Moss%&

-Follo! me.-

*e led him u" the stair again& and o"ened another door. The% stood on the le$el o# the raging sea&loo)ing to!ards the east. Across the !aste o# !aters& against the (osom o# a #ierce (lac) cloud&stood the #oot o# a rain(o!& glo!ing in the dar).

-This indeed is m% !a%&- said Moss%& as soon as he sa! the rain(o!& and ste""ed out u"on thesea. *is #eet made no holes in the !ater. *e #ought the !ind& and clom( the !a$es& and !ent onto!ards the rain(o!.

The storm died a!a%. A lo$el% da% and a lo$elier night #ollo!ed. A cool !ind (le! o$er the !ide "lain o# the ,uiet ocean. And still Moss% ?ourne%ed east!ard. 'ut the rain(o! had $anished !iththe storm.

Da% a#ter da% he held on& and he thought he had no guide. *e did not see ho! a shining #ishunder the !ater directed his ste"s. *e crossed the sea& and came to a great "reci"ice o# roc)& u"!hich he could disco$er (ut one "ath. >or did this lead him #arther than hal#!a% u" the roc)&!here it ended on a "lat#orm. *ere he stood and "ondered.It could not (e that the !a% sto""edhere& else !hat !as the "ath #or It !as a rough "ath& not $er% "lain& %et certainl% a "ath.*ee2amined the #ace o# the roc). It !as smooth as glass. 'ut as his e%es )e"t ro$ing ho"elessl%o$er it& something glittered& and he caught sight o# a ro! o# small sa""hires. The% (ordered alittle hole in the roc).

-The )e%hole@- he cried.

*e tried the )e%. It #itted. It turned. A great clang and clash& as o# iron (olts on huge (ra5encaldrons& echoed thunderousl% !ithin. *e dre! out the )e%. The roc) in #ront o# him (egan to#all. *e retreated #rom it as #ar as the (readth o# the "lat#orm !ould allo!. A great sla( #ell at his#eet. In #ront !as still the solid roc)& !ith this one sla( #allen #or!ard out o# it. 'ut the moment



he ste""ed u"on it& a second #ell& ?ust short o# the edge o# the #irst& ma)ing the ne2t ste" o# a stair&!hich thus )e"t dro""ing itsel# (e#ore him as he ascended into the heart o# the "reci"ice. It ledhim into a hall #it #or such an a""roachirregular and rude in #ormation& (ut #loor& sides& "illars&and $aulted roo#& all one mass o# shining stones o# e$er% colour that light can sho!. In the centrestood se$en columns& ranged #rom red to $iolet. And on the "edestal o# one o# them sat a !oman&

motionless& !ith her #ace (o!ed u"on her )nees. 9e$en %ears had she sat there !aiting. 9heli#ted her head as Moss% dre! near. It !as Tangle. *er hair had gro!n to her #eet& and !asri""led li)e the !indless sea on (road sands. *er #ace !as (eauti#ul& li)e her grandmother4s& andas still and "eace#ul as that o# the ld Man o# the Fire. *er #orm !as tall and no(le. Bet Moss%)ne! her at once.

-*o! (eauti#ul %ou are& Tangle@- he said& in delight and astonishment.

-Am I- she returned. -h& I ha$e !aited #or %ou so long@ 'ut %ou& %ou are li)e the ld Man o#the 9ea. >o. Bou are li)e the ld Man o# the arth. >o& no. Bou are li)e the oldest man o# all.Bou are li)e them all. And %et %ou are m% o!n old Moss%@ *o! did %ou come here /hat did

%ou do a#ter I lost %ou Did %ou #ind the )e%hole *a$e %ou got the )e% still-

9he had a hundred ,uestions to as) him& and he a hundred more to as) her. The% told each otherall their ad$entures& and !ere as ha""% as man and !oman could (e. For the% !ere %ounger and (etter& and stronger and !iser& than the% had e$er (een (e#ore.

It (egan to gro! dar). And the% !anted more than e$er to reach the countr% !hence the shado!s#all. 9o the% loo)ed a(out them #or a !a% out o# the ca$e. The door (% !hich Moss% entered hadclosed again& and there !as hal# a mile o# roc) (et!een them and the sea. >either could Tangle#ind the o"ening in the #loor (% !hich the ser"ent had led her thither. The% searched till it gre!so dar) that the% could see nothing& and ga$e it u".

A#ter a !hile& ho!e$er& the ca$e (egan to glimmer again. The light came #rom the moon& (ut itdid not loo) li)e moonlight& #or it gleamed through those se$en "illars in the middle& and #illedthe "lace !ith all colours. And no! Moss% sa! that there !as a "illar (eside the red one& !hichhe had not o(ser$ed (e#ore. And it !as o# the same ne! colour that he had seen in the rain(o!!hen he sa! it #irst in the #air% #orest. And on it he sa! a s"ar)le o# (lue. It !as the sa""hiresround the )e%hole.

*e too) his )e%. It turned in the loc) to the sound o# Aeolian music. A door o"ened u"on slo!hinges& and disclosed a !inding stair !ithin. The )e% $anished #rom his #ingers. Tangle !ent u".Moss% #ollo!ed. The door closed (ehind them. The% clim(ed out o# the earth+ and& still clim(ing&rose a(o$e it. The% !ere in the rain(o!. Far a(road& o$er ocean and land& the% could see throughits trans"arent !alls the earth (eneath their #eet. 9tairs (eside stairs !ound u" together& and (eauti#ul (eings o# all ages clim(ed along !ith them.

The% )ne! that the% !ere going u" to the countr% !hence the shado!s #all.

And (% this time I thin) the% must ha$e got there.



The *istor% # 3hotogen And >%cteris

0A DAB A>D >IG*T ML*C*>0.

C*A3T I.

/AT*.

There !as once a !itch !ho desired to )no! e$er%thing. 'ut the !iser a !itch is& the harder she)noc)s her head against the !all !hen she comes to it. *er name !as /atho& and she had a !ol#in her mind. 9he cared #or nothing in itsel#onl% #or )no!ing it. 9he !as not naturall% cruel& (utthe !ol# had made her cruel.

9he !as tall and grace#ul& !ith a !hite s)in& red hair& and (lac) e%es& !hich had a red #ire inthem. 9he !as straight and strong& (ut no! and then !ould #all (ent together& shudder& and sit #or a moment !ith her head turned o$er her shoulder& as i# the !ol# had got out o# her mind on to her (ac).

C*A3T II.

A=A.

This !itch got t!o ladies to $isit her. ne o# them (elonged to the court& and her hus(and had (een sent on a #ar and di##icult em(ass%. The other !as a %oung !ido! !hose hus(and had latel%died& and !ho had since lost her sight& /atho lodged them in di##erent "arts o# her castle& andthe% did not )no! o# each other4s e2istence.

The castle stood on the side o# a hill slo"ing gentl% do!n into a narro! $alle%& in !hich !as ari$er& !ith a "e((l% channel and a continual song. The garden !ent do!n to the (an) o# the ri$er&enclosed (% high !alls& !hich crossed the ri$er and there sto""ed. ach !all had a dou(le ro! o# (attlements& and (et!een the ro!s !as a narro! !al).

In the to"most stor% o# the castle the ;ad% Aurora occu"ied a s"acious a"artment o# se$eral largerooms loo)ing south!ard. The !indo!s "ro?ected oriel!ise o$er the garden (elo!& and there!as a s"lendid $ie! #rom them (oth u" and do!n and across the ri$er. The o""osite side o# the$alle% !as stee"& (ut not $er% high. Far a!a% sno!"ea)s !ere $isi(le. These rooms Auroraseldom le#t& (ut their air% s"aces& the (rilliant landsca"e and s)%& the "lenti#ul sunlight& themusical instruments& (oo)s& "ictures& curiosities& !ith the com"an% o# /atho !ho made hersel#



charming& "recluded all dulness. 9he had $enison and #eathered game to eat& mil) and "ale sunn%s"ar)ling !ine to drin).

9he had hair o# the %ello! gold& !a$ed and ri""led+ her s)in !as #air& not !hite li)e /atho4s& andher e%es !ere o# the (lue o# the hea$ens !hen (luest+ her #eatures !ere delicate (ut strong& her

mouth large and #inel% cur$ed& and haunted !ith smiles.

C*A3T III.

93.

'ehind the castle the hill rose a(ru"tl%+ the northeastern to!er& indeed& !as in contact !ith the

roc)& and communicated !ith the interior o# it. For in the roc) !as a series o# cham(ers& )no!nonl% to /atho and the one ser$ant !hom she trusted& called Falca. 9ome #ormer o!ner hadconstructed these cham(ers a#ter the tom( o# an g%"tian )ing& and "ro(a(l% !ith the samedesign& #or in the centre o# one o# them stood !hat could onl% (e a sarco"hagus& (ut that andothers !ere !alled o##. The sides and roo#s o# them !ere car$ed in lo! relie#& and curiousl% "ainted. *ere the !itch lodged the (lind lad%& !hose name !as es"er. *er e%es !ere (lac)&!ith long (lac) lashes+ her s)in had a loo) o# dar)ened sil$er& (ut !as o# "urest tint and grain+her hair !as (lac) and #ine and straight#lo!ing+ her #eatures !ere e2,uisitel% #ormed& and i# less (eauti#ul %et more lo$el% #rom sadness+ she al!a%s loo)ed as i# she !anted to lie do!n and notrise again. 9he did not )no! she !as lodged in a tom(& though no! and then she !ondered shene$er touched a !indo!. There !ere man% couches& co$ered !ith richest sil)& and so#t as hero!n chee)& #or her to lie u"on+ and the car"ets !ere so thic)& she might ha$e cast hersel# do!nan%!hereas (e#itted a tom(. The "lace !as dr% and !arm& and cunningl% "ierced #or air& so thatit !as al!a%s #resh& and lac)ed onl% sunlight. There the !itch #ed her u"on mil)& and !ine dar)as a car(uncle& and "omegranates& and "ur"le gra"es& and (irds that d!ell in marsh% "laces+ andshe "la%ed to her mourn#ul tunes& and caused !ail#ul $iolins to attend her& and told her sad tales&thus holding her e$er in an atmos"here o# s!eet sorro!.

C*A3T I.

3*TG>.

/atho at length had her desire& #or !itches o#ten get !hat the% !ant: a s"lendid (o% !as (orn tothe #air Aurora. ust as the sun rose& he o"ened his e%es. /atho carried him immediatel% to adistant "art o# the castle& and "ersuaded the mother that he ne$er cried (ut once& d%ing the



moment he !as (orn. $ercome !ith grie#& Aurora le#t the castle as soon as she !as a(le& and/atho ne$er in$ited her again.

And no! the !itch4s care !as& that the child should not )no! dar)ness. 3ersistentl% she trainedhim until at last he ne$er sle"t during the da%& and ne$er !o)e during the night. 9he ne$er let

him see an%thing (lac)& and e$en )e"t all dull colours out o# his !a%. >e$er& i# she could hel" it&!ould she let a shado! #all u"on him& !atching against shado!s as i# the% had (een li$e thingsthat !ould hurt him. All da% he (as)ed in the #ull s"lendour o# the sun& in the same large roomshis mother had occu"ied. /atho used him to the sun& until he could (ear more o# it than an%dar)(looded A#rican. In the hottest o# e$er% da%& she stri"t him and laid him in it& that he mightri"en li)e a "each+ and the (o% re?oiced in it& and !ould resist (eing dressed again. 9he (roughtall her )no!ledge to (ear on ma)ing his muscles strong and elastic and s!i#tl% res"onsi$ethathis soul& she said laughing& might sit in e$er% #i(re& (e all in e$er% "art& and a!a)e the momento# call. *is hair !as o# the red gold& (ut his e%es gre! dar)er as he gre!& until the% !ere as (lac) as es"er4s. *e !as the merriest o# creatures& al!a%s laughing& al!a%s lo$ing& #or a momentraging& then laughing a#resh. /atho called him 3hotogen.

C*A3T .

>BCTI9.

Fi$e or si2 months a#ter the (irth o# 3hotogen& the dar) lad% also ga$e (irth to a (a(%: in the!indo!less tom( o# a (lind mother& in the dead o# night& under the #ee(le ra%s o# a lam" in anala(aster glo(e& a girl came into the dar)ness !ith a !ail. And ?ust as she !as (orn #or the #irsttime& es"er !as (orn #or the second& and "assed into a !orld as un)no!n to her as this !as toher child!ho !ould ha$e to (e (orn %et again (e#ore she could see her mother.

/atho called her >%cteris& and she gre! as li)e es"er as "ossi(lein all (ut one "articular. 9hehad the same dar) s)in& dar) e%elashes and (ro!s& dar) hair& and gentle sad loo)+ (ut she had ?ustthe e%es o# Aurora& the mother o# 3hotogen& and i# the% gre! dar)er as she gre! older& it !asonl% a dar)er (lue. /atho& !ith the hel" o# Falca& too) the greatest "ossi(le care o# herin e$er%!a% consistent !ith her "lans& that is&the main "oint in !hich !as that she should ne$er see an%light (ut !hat came #rom the lam". *ence her o"tic ner$es& and indeed her !hole a""aratus #orseeing& gre! (oth larger and more sensiti$e+ her e%es& indeed& sto""ed short onl% o# (eing toolarge. =nder her dar) hair and #orehead and e%e(ro!s& the% loo)ed li)e t!o (rea)s in a cloud%nights)%& through !hich "ee"ed the hea$en !here the stars and no clouds li$e. 9he !as a sadl%daint% little creature. >o one in the !orld e2ce"t those t!o !as a!are o# the (eing o# the little (at. /atho trained her to slee" during the da%& and !a)e during the night. 9he taught her music&in !hich she !as hersel# a "ro#icient& and taught her scarcel% an%thing else.



C*A3T I.

*/ 3*TG> G/.

The hollo! in !hich the castle o# /atho la%& !as a cle#t in a "lain rather than a $alle% amonghills& #or at the to" o# its stee" sides& (oth north and south& !as a ta(leland& large and !ide. It!as co$ered !ith rich grass and #lo!ers& !ith here and there a !ood& the outl%ing colon% o# agreat #orest. These grass% "lains !ere the #inest hunting grounds in the !orld. Great herds o#small& (ut #ierce cattle& !ith hum"s and shagg% manes& ro$ed a(out them& also antelo"es andgnus& and the tin% roedeer& !hile the !oods !ere s!arming !ith !ild creatures. The ta(les o# thecastle !ere mainl% su""lied #rom them. The chie# o# /atho4s huntsmen !as a #ine #ello!& and!hen 3hotogen (egan to outgro! the training she could gi$e him& she handed him o$er to Fargu.*e !ith a !ill set a(out teaching him all he )ne!. *e got him "on% a#ter "on%& larger and largeras he gre!& e$er% one less managea(le than that !hich had "receded it& and ad$anced him #rom

"on% to horse& and #rom horse to horse& until he !as e,ual to an%thing in that )ind !hich thecountr% "roduced. In similar #ashion he trained him to the use o# (o! and arro!& su(stitutinge$er% three months a stronger ho! and longer arro!s+ and soon he (ecame& e$en on horse(ac)& a!onder#ul archer. *e !as (ut #ourteen !hen he )illed his #irst (ull& causing ?u(ilation among thehuntsmen& and& indeed& through all the castle& #or there too he !as the #a$ourite. $er% da%&almost as soon as the sun !as u"& he !ent out hunting& and !ould in general (e out nearl% the!hole o# the da%. 'ut /atho had laid u"on Fargu ?ust one commandment& namel%& that 3hotogenshould on no account& !hate$er the "lea& (e out until sundo!n& or so near it as to !a)e in himthe desire o# seeing !hat !as going to ha""en+ and this commandment Fargu !as an2iousl%care#ul not to (rea)+ #or& although he !ould not ha$e trem(led had a !hole herd o# (ulls comedo!n u"on him& charging at #ull s"eed across the le$el& and not an arro! le#t in his ,ui$er& he!as more than a#raid o# his mistress. /hen she loo)ed at him in a certain !a%& he #elt& he said& asi# his heart turned to ashes in his (reast& and !hat ran in his $eins !as no longer (lood& (ut mil)and !ater. 9o that& ere long& as 3hotogen gre! older& Fargu (egan to trem(le& #or he #ound itsteadil% gro!ing harder to restrain him. 9o #ull o# li#e !as he& as Fargu said to his mistress& muchto her content& that he !as more li)e a li$e thunder(olt than a human (eing. *e did not )no!!hat #ear !as& and that not (ecause he did not )no! danger+ #or he had had a se$ere laceration#rom the ra5orli)e tus) o# a (oar!hose s"ine& ho!e$er& he had se$ered !ith one (lo! o# hishunting)ni#e& (e#ore Fargu could reach him !ith de#ence. /hen he !ould s"ur his horse intothe midst o# a herd o# (ulls& carr%ing onl% his (o! and his short s!ord& or shoot an arro! into aherd& and go a#ter it as i# to reclaim it #or a runa!a% sha#t& arri$ing in time to #ollo! it !ith as"earthrust (e#ore the !ounded animal )ne! !hich !a% to charge& Fargu thought !ith terrorho! it !ould (e !hen he came to )no! the tem"tation o# the huddles"ot leo"ards& and the)ni#ecla!ed l%n2es& !ith !hich the #orest !as haunted. For the (o% had (een so stee"ed in thesun& #rom childhood so saturated !ith his in#luence& that he loo)ed u"on e$er% danger #rom aso$ereign height o# courage. /hen& there#ore& he !as a""roaching his si2teenth %ear& Fargu$entured to (eg o# /atho that she !ould la% her commands u"on the %outh himsel#& and releasehim #rom res"onsi(ilit% #or him. ne might as soon hold a ta!n%maned lion as 3hotogen& hesaid& /atho called the %outh& and in the "resence o# Fargu laid her command u"on him ne$er to (e out !hen the rim o# the sun should touch the hori5on& accom"an%ing the "rohi(ition !ith



hints o# conse,uences& none the less a!#ul that the% !ere o(scure. 3hotogen listenedres"ect#ull%& (ut& )no!ing neither the taste o# #ear nor the tem"tation o# the night& her !ords!ere (ut sounds to him.

C*A3T II.

*/ >BCTI9 G/.

The little education she intended >%cteris to ha$e& /atho ga$e her (% !ord o# mouth. >otmeaning she should ha$e light enough to read (%& to lea$e other reasons unmentioned& she ne$er "ut a (oo) in her hands. >%cteris& ho!e$er& sa! so much (etter than /atho imagined& that thelight she ga$e her !as ,uite su##icient& and she managed to coa2 Falca into teaching her the

letters& a#ter !hich she taught hersel# to read& and Falca no! and then (rought her a child4s (oo).'ut her chie# "leasure !as in her instrument. *er $er% #ingers lo$ed it& and !ould !ander a(outo$er its )e%s li)e #eeding shee". 9he !as not unha""%. 9he )ne! nothing o# the !orld e2ce"t thetom( in !hich she d!elt& and had some "leasure in e$er%thing she did. 'ut she desired&ne$ertheless& something more or di##erent. 9he did not )no! !hat it !as& and the nearest shecould come to e2"ressing it to hersel# !asthat she !anted more room. /atho and Falca !ouldgo #rom her (e%ond the shine o# the lam"& and come again+ there#ore surel% there must (e moreroom some!here. As o#ten as she !as le#t alone& she !ould #all to "oring o$er the coloured (asrelie#s on the !alls. These !ere intended to re"resent $arious o# the "o!ers o# >ature underallegorical similitudes& and as nothing can (e made that does not (elong to the general scheme&she could not #ail at least to imagine a #lic)er o# relationshi" (et!een some o# them& and thus ashado! o# the realit% o# things #ound its !a% to her.

There !as one thing& ho!e$er& !hich mo$ed and taught her more than all the restthe lam"&namel%& that hung #rom the ceiling& !hich she al!a%s sa! alight& though she ne$er sa! the#lame& onl% the slight condensation to!ards the centre o# the ala(aster glo(e. And (esides theo"eration o# the light itsel# a#ter its )ind& the inde#initeness o# the glo(e& and the so#tness o# thelight& gi$ing her the #eeling as i# her e%es could go in and into its !hiteness& !ere someho! alsoassociated !ith the idea o# s"ace and room. 9he !ould sit #or an hour together ga5ing u" at thelam"& and her heart !ould s!ell as she ga5ed. 9he !ould !onder !hat had hurt her& !hen she#ound her #ace !et !ith tears& and then !ould !onder ho! she could ha$e (een hurt !ithout)no!ing it. 9he ne$er loo)ed thus at the lam" e2ce"t !hen she !as alone.

C*A3T III.

T* ;AM3.



/atho ha$ing gi$en orders& too) it #or granted the% !ere o(e%ed& and that Falca !as all nightlong !ith >%cteris& !hose da% it !as. 'ut Falca could not get into the ha(it o# slee"ing throughthe da%& and !ould o#ten lea$e her alone hal# the night. Then it seemed to >%cteris that the !hitelam" !as !atching o$er her. As it !as ne$er "ermitted to go out!hile she !as a!a)e at least

>%cteris& e2ce"t (% shutting her e%es& )ne! less a(out dar)ness than she did a(out light. Also&the lam" (eing #i2ed high o$erhead& and in the centre o# e$er%thing& she did not )no! mucha(out shado!s either. The #e! there !ere #ell almost entirel% on the #loor& or )e"t li)e micea(out the #oot o# the !alls.

nce& !hen she !as thus alone& there came the noise o# a #aro## rum(ling: she had ne$er (e#oreheard a sound o# !hich she did not )no! the origin& and here there#ore !as a ne! sign o#something (e%ond these cham(ers. Then came a trem(ling& then a sha)ing+ the lam" dro""ed#rom the ceiling to the #loor !ith a great crash& and she #elt as i# (oth her e%es !ere hard shut and (oth her hands o$er them. 9he concluded that it !as the dar)ness that had made the rum(lingand the sha)ing& and rushing into the room& had thro!n do!n the lam". 9he sat trem(ling. The

noise and the sha)ing ceased& (ut the light did not return. The dar)ness had eaten it u"@

*er lam" gone& the desire at once a!o)e to get out o# her "rison. 9he scarcel% )ne! !hat 0out0meant+ out o# one room into another& !here there !as not e$en a di$iding door& onl% an o"enarch& !as all she )ne! o# the !orld. 'ut suddenl% she remem(ered that she had heard Falcas"ea) o# the lam" 0going out0: this must (e !hat she had meant And i# the lam" had gone out&!here had it gone 9urel% !here Falca !ent& and li)e her it !ould come again. 'ut she could not!ait. The desire to go out gre! irresisti(le. 9he must #ollo! her (eauti#ul lam"@ 9he must #ind it@9he must see !hat it !as a(out@

>o! there !as a curtain co$ering a recess in the !all& !here some o# her to%s and g%mnasticthings !ere )e"t+ and #rom (ehind that curtain /atho and Falca al!a%s a""eared& and (ehind itthe% $anished. *o! the% came out o# solid !all& she had not an idea& all u" to the !all !as o"ens"ace& and all (e%ond it seemed !all+ (ut clearl% the #irst and onl% thing she could do& !as to #eelher !a% (ehind the curtain. It !as so dar) that a cat could not ha$e caught the largest o# mice. >%cteris could see (etter than an% cat& (ut no! her great e%es !ere not o# the smallest use to her.As she !ent she trod u"on a "iece o# the (ro)en lam". 9he had ne$er !orn shoes or stoc)ings&and the #ragment& though& (eing o# so#t ala(aster& it did not cut& %et hurt her #oot. 9he did not)no! !hat it !as& (ut as it had not (een there (e#ore the dar)ness came& she sus"ected that it hadto do !ith the lam". 9he )neeled there#ore& and searched !ith her hands& and (ringing t!o large "ieces together& recogni5ed the sha"e o# the lam". There!ith it #lashed u"on her that the lam"!as dead& that this (ro)enness !as the death o# !hich she had read !ithout understanding& thatthe dar)ness had )illed the lam". /hat then could Falca ha$e meant !hen she s"o)e o# the lam" 0going out0 There !as the lam"dead& indeed& and so changed that she !ould ne$er ha$e ta)enit #or a lam" (ut #or the sha"e@ >o& it !as not the lam" an% more no! it !as dead& #or all thatmade it a lam" !as gone& namel%& the (right shining o# it. Then it must (e the shine& the light&that had gone out@ That must (e !hat Falca meantand it must (e some!here in the other "lacein the !all. 9he started a#resh alter it& and gro"ed her !a% to the curtain.



>o! she had ne$er in her li#e tried to get out& and did not )no! ho!+ (ut instincti$el% she (eganto mo$e her hands a(out o$er one o# the !alls (ehind the curtain& hal# e2"ecting them to go intoit& as she su""osed /atho and Falca did. 'ut. the !all re"elled her !ith ine2ora(le hardness& andshe turned to the one o""osite. In so doing& she set her #oot u"on an i$or% die& and as it metshar"l% the same s"ot the (ro)en ala(aster had alread% hurt& she #ell #or!ard !ith her

outstretched hands against the !all. 9omething ga$e !a%& and she tum(led out o# the ca$ern.

C*A3T IH.

=T.

'ut alas@ 0out0 !as $er% much li)e 0in0& #or the same enem%& the dar)ness& !as here also. The

ne2t moment& ho!e$er& came a great gladnessa #ire#l%& !hich had !andered in #rom the garden.9he sa! the tin% s"ar) in the distance. /ith slo! "ulsing e(( and thro( o# light& it came "ushingitsel# through the air& dra!ing nearer and nearer& !ith that motion !hich more resem(less!imming than #l%ing& and the light seemed the source o# its o!n motion.

-M% lam"@ m% lam"@- cried >%cteris. -It is the shiningness o# m% lam"& !hich the cruel dar)nessdro$e out. M% good lam" has (een !aiting #or me here all the time@ It )ne! I !ould come a#terit& and !aited to ta)e me !ith it.-

9he #ollo!ed the #ire#l%& !hich& li)e hersel#& !as see)ing the !a% out. I# it did not )no! the !a%&it !as %et light+ and& (ecause all light is one& an% light ma% ser$e to guide to more light. I# she!as mista)en in thin)ing it the s"irit o# her lam"& it !as o# the same s"irit as her lam"and had!ings. The goldgreen ?et(oat& dri$en (% light& !ent thro((ing (e#ore her through a long narro! "assage. 9uddenl% it rose higher& and the same moment >%cteris #ell u"on an ascending stair. 9hehad ne$er seen a stair (e#ore& and #ound goingu" a curious sensation. ust as she reached !hatseemed the to"& the #ire#l% ceased to shine& and so disa""eared. 9he !as in utter dar)ness oncemore. 'ut !hen !e are #ollo!ing the light& e$en its e2tinction is a guide. I# the #ire#l% had goneon shining& >%cteris !ould ha$e seen the stair turn& and !ould ha$e gone u" to /atho4s (edroom+ !hereas no!& #eeling straight (e#ore her& she came to a latched door& !hich a#ter agood deal o# tr%ing she managed to o"enand stood in a ma5e o# !ondering "er"le2it%& a!e& anddelight. /hat !as it /as it outside o# her& or something ta)ing "lace in her head 'e#ore her!as a $er% long and $er% narro! "assage& (ro)en u" she could not tell ho!& and s"reading outa(o$e and on all sides to an in#inite height and (readth and distanceas i# s"ace itsel# !eregro!ing out o# a trough. It !as (righter than her rooms had e$er (een(righter than i# si2ala(aster lam"s had (een (urning in them. There !as a ,uantit% o# strange strea)ing and mottlinga(out it& $er% di##erent #rom the sha"es on her !alls. 9he !as in a dream o# "leasant "er"le2it%&o# delight#ul (e!ilderment. 9he could not tell !hether she !as u"on her #eet or dri#ting a(outli)e the #ire#l%& dri$en (% the "ulses o# an in!ard (liss. 'ut she )ne! little as %et o# herinheritance. =nconsciousl% she too) one ste" #or!ard #rom the threshold& and the girl !ho had (een #rom her $er% (irth a troglod%te& stood in the ra$ishing glor% o# a southern night& lit (% a



"er#ect moonnot the moon o# our northern clime& (ut a moon li)e sil$er glo!ing in a #urnaceamoon one could see to (e a glo(enot #ar o##& a mere #lat disc on the #ace o# the (lue& (uthanging do!n hal#!a%& and loo)ing as i# one could see all round it (% a mere (ending o# thenec).

-It is m% lam"@- she said& and stood dum( !ith "arted li"s. 9he loo)ed and #elt as i# she had (eenstanding there in silent ecstas% #rom the (eginning.

->o& it is not m% lam"&- she said a#ter a !hile+ -it is the mother o# all the lam"s.-

And !ith that she #ell on her )nees& and s"read out her hands to the moon. 9he could not in theleast ha$e told !hat !as in her mind& (ut the action !as in realit% ?ust a (egging o# the moon to (e !hat she !asthat "recise incredi(le s"lendour hung in the #aro## roo#& that $er% glor%essential to the (eing o# "oor girls (orn and (red in ca$erns. It !as a resurrectionna%& a (irthitsel#& to >%cteris. /hat the $ast (lue s)%& studded !ith tin% s"ar)s li)e the heads o# diamondnails& could (e+ !hat the moon& loo)ing so a(solutel% content !ith light.!h%& she )ne! less

a(out them than %ou and I@ (ut the greatest o# astronomers might en$% the ra"ture o# such a #irstim"ression at the age o# si2teen. Immeasura(l% im"er#ect it !as& (ut #alse the im"ression couldnot (e& #or she sa! !ith the e%es made #or seeing& and sa! indeed !hat man% men are too !iseto see.

As she )nelt& something so#tl% #la""ed her& em(raced her& stro)ed her& #ondled her. 9he rose toher #eet& (ut sa! nothing& did not )no! !hat it !as. It !as li)est a !oman4s (reath. For she )no!nothing o# the air e$en& had ne$er (reathed the still ne!(orn #reshness o# the !orld. *er (reathhad come to her onl% through long "assages and s"irals in the roc). 9till less did she )no! o# theair ali$e !ith motiono# that thrice (lessed thing& the !ind o# a summer night. It !as li)e as"iritual !ine& #illing her !hole (eing !ith an into2ication o# "urest ?o%. To (reathe !as a "er#ecte2istence. It seemed to her the light itsel# she dre! into her lungs. 3ossessed (% the "o!er o# thegorgeous night& she seemed at one and the same moment annihilated and glori#ied.

9he !as in the o"en "assage or galler% that ran round the to" o# the garden !alls& (et!een thecle#t (attlements& (ut she did not once loo) do!n to see !hat la% (eneath. *er soul !as dra!n tothe $ault a(o$e her& !ith its lam" and its endless room. At last she (urst into tears& and her heart!as relie$ed& as the night itsel# is relie$ed (% its lightning and rain.

And no! she gre! thought#ul. 9he must hoard this s"lendour@ /hat a little ignorance her gaolershad made o# her@ ;i#e !as a might% (liss& and the% had scra"ed hers to the (are (one@ The% mustnot )no! that she )ne!. 9he must hide her )no!ledgehide it e$en #rom her o!n e%es& )ee"ingit close in her (osom& content to )no! that she had it& e$en !hen she could not (rood on its "resence& #easting her e%es !ith its glor%. 9he turned #rom the $ision& there#ore& !ith a sigh o#utter (liss& and !ith so#t ,uiet ste"s and gro"ing hands& stole (ac) into the dar)ness o# the roc)./hat !as dar)ness or the la5iness o# Time4s #eet to one !ho had seen !hat she had that nightseen 9he !as li#ted a(o$e all !earinessa(o$e all !rong.

/hen Falca entered& she uttered a cr% o# terror. 'ut >%cteris called to her not to (e a#raid& andtold her ho! there had come a rum(ling and a sha)ing& and the lam" had #allen. Then Falca !ent



and told her mistress& and !ithin an hour a ne! glo(e hung in the "lace o# the old one. >%cteristhought it did not loo) so (right and clear as the #ormer& (ut she made no lamentation o$er thechange+ she !as #ar too rich to heed it. For no!& "risoner as she )ne! hersel#& her heart !as #ullo# glor% and gladness+ at times she had to hold hersel# #rom ?um"ing u"& and going dancing andsinging a(out the room. /hen she sle"t& instead o# dull dreams& she had s"lendid $isions. There

!ere times& it is true& !hen she (ecame restless& and im"atient to loo) u"on her riches& (ut thenshe !ould reason !ith hersel#& sa%ing& -/hat does it matter i# I sit here #or ages !ith m% "oor "ale lam"& !hen out there a lum" is (urning at !hich ten thousand little lam"s are glo!ing !ith!onder-

9he ne$er dou(ted she had loo)ed u"on the da% and the sun& o# !hich she had read+ and al!a%s!hen she read o# the da% and the sun& she had the night and the moon in her mind+ and !hen sheread o# the night and the moon& she thought onl% o# the ca$e and the lam" that hung there.

C*A3T H.

T* GAT ;AM3.

It !as some time (e#ore she had a second o""ortunit% o# going out& #or Falca& since the #all o# thelam"& had (een a little more care#ul& and seldom le#t her #or long. 'ut one night& ha$ing a littleheadache& >%cteris la% do!n u"on her (ed& and !as l%ing !ith her e%es closed& !hen she heardFalca come to her& and #elt she !as (ending o$er her. Disinclined to tal)& she did not o"en here%es& and la% ,uite still. 9atis#ied that she !as aslee"& Falca le#t her& mo$ing so so#tl% that her$er% caution made >%cteris o"en her e%es and loo) a#ter her?ust in time to see her $anishthrough a "icture& as it seemed& that hung on the !all a long !a% #rom the usual "lace o# issue.9he ?um"ed u"& her headache #orgotten& and ran in the o""osite direction+ got out& gro"ed her!a% to the stair& clim(ed& and reached the to" o# the !all.Alas@ the great room !as not so lightas the little one she had le#t. /h%9orro! o# sorro!s@ the great lam" !as gone@ *ad its glo(e#allen and its lo$el% light gone out u"on great !ings& a res"lendent #ire#l%& oaring itsel# througha %et grander and lo$elier room 9he loo)ed do!n to see i# it la% an%!here (ro)en to "ieces onthe car"et (elo!+ (ut she could not e$en see the car"et. 'ut surel% nothing $er% dread#ul couldha$e ha""enedno rum(ling or sha)ing& #or there !ere all the little lam"s shining (righter than (e#ore& not one o# them loo)ing as i# an% unusual matter had (e#allen. /hat i# each o# those littlelam"s !as gro!ing into a (ig lam"& and a#ter (eing a (ig lam" #or a !hile& had to go out andgro! a (igger lam" stillout there& (e%ond this 0out0Ah@ here !as the li$ing thing that !ouldnot (e seen& come to her again(igger tonight@ !ith such lo$ing )isses& and such li,uidstro)ings o# her chee)s and #orehead& gentl% tossing her hair& and delicatel% to%ing !ith it@ 'ut itceased& and all !as still. *ad it gone out /hat !ould ha""en ne2t 3erha"s the little lam"s hadnot to gro! great lam"s& (ut to #all one (% one and go out #irst/ith that& came #rom (elo! as!eet scent& then another& and another. Ah& ho! delicious@ 3erha"s the% !ere all coming to heronl% on their !a% out a#ter the great lam"@Then came the music o# the ri$er& !hich she had (een too a(sor(ed in the s)% to note the #irst time. /hat !as it Alas@ alas@ another s!eet li$ing



thing on its !a% out. The% !ere all marching slo!l% out in long lo$el% #ile& one a#ter the other&each ta)ing its lea$e o# her as it "assed@ It must (e so: here !ere more and more s!eet sounds&#ollo!ing and #ading@ The !hole o# the 0ut0 !as going out again+ it !as all going a#ter thegreat lo$el% lam"@ 9he !ould (e le#t the onl% creature in the solitar% da%@ /as there no(od% tohang u" a ne! lam" #or the old one& and )ee" the creatures #rom going9he cre"t (ac) to her

roc) $er% sad. 9he tried to com#ort hersel# (% sa%ing that an%ho! there !ould (e room out there+ (ut as she said it she shuddered at the thought o# 0em"t%0 room.

/hen ne2t she succeeded in getting out& a hal#moon hung in the east: a ne! lam" had come& shethought& and all !ould (e !ell.

It !ould (e endless to descri(e the "hases o# #eeling through !hich >%cteris "assed& morenumerous and delicate than those o# a thousand changing moons. A #resh (liss (loomed in hersoul !ith e$er% $ar%ing as"ect o# in#inite nature. re long she (egan to sus"ect that the ne!moon !as the old moon& gone out and come in again li)e hersel#+ also that& unli)e hersel#& it!asted and gre! again+ that it !as indeed a li$e thing& su(?ect li)e hersel# to ca$erns& and

)ee"ers& and solitudes& esca"ing and shining !hen it could. /as it a "rison li)e hers it !as shutin and did it gro! dar) !hen the lam" le#t it /here could (e the !a% into it/ith that #irstshe (egan to loo) (elo!& as !ell as a(o$e and around her+ and then #irst noted the to"s o# thetrees (et!een her and the #loor. There !ere "alms !ith their red#ingered hands #ull o# #ruit+eucal%"tus trees cro!ded !ith little (o2es o# "o!der"u##s+ oleanders !ith their hal#caste roses+and orange trees !ith their clouds o# %oung sil$er stars& and their aged (alls o# gold. *er e%escould see colours in$isi(le to ours in the moonlight& and all these she could distinguish !ell&though at #irst she too) them #or the sha"es and colours o# the car"et o# the great room. 9helonged to get do!n among them& no! she sa! the% !ere real creatures& (ut she did not )no!ho!. 9he !ent along the !hole length o# the !all to the end that crossed the ri$er& (ut #ound no!a% o# going do!n. A(o$e the ri$er she sto""ed to ga5e !ith a!e u"on the rushing !ater. 9he)ne! nothing o# !ater (ut #rom !hat she dran) and !hat she (athed in+ and& as the moon shoneon the dar)& s!i#t stream& singing lustil% as it #lo!ed& she did not dou(t the ri$er !as ali$e& as!i#t rushing ser"ent o# li#e& goingout!hither And then she !ondered i# !hat !as (roughtinto her rooms had (een )illed that she might drin) it& and ha$e her (ath in it.

nce !hen she ste""ed out u"on the !all& it !as into the midst o# a #ierce !ind. The trees !ereall roaring. Great clouds !ere rushing along the s)ies& and tum(ling o$er the little lam"s: thegreat lam" had not come %et. All !as in tumult. The !ind sei5ed her garments and hair& andshoo) them as i# it !ould tear them #rom her. /hat could she ha$e done to ma)e the gentlecreature so angr% r !as this another creature altogethero# the same )ind& (ut hugel% (igger&and o# a $er% di##erent tem"er and (eha$iour 'ut the !hole "lace !as angr%@ r !as it that thecreatures d!elling in it& the !ind& and the trees& and the clouds& and the ri$er& had all ,uarrelled&each !ith all the rest /ould the !hole come to con#usion and disorder 'ut& as she ga5ed!ondering and dis,uieted& the moon& larger than e$er she had seen her& came li#ting hersel#a(o$e the hori5on to loo)& (road and red& as i# she& too& !ere s!ollen !ith anger that she had (een roused #rom her rest (% their noise& and com"elled to hurr% u" to see !hat her children !erea(out& thus rioting in her a(sence& lest the% should rac) the !hole #rame o# things. And as sherose& the loud !ind gre! ,uieter and scolded less #iercel%& the trees gre! stiller and moaned !itha lo!er com"laint& and the clouds hunted and hurled themsel$es less !ildl% across the s)%. And



as i# she !ere "leased that her children o(e%ed her $er% "resence& the moon gre! smaller as sheascended the hea$enl% stair+ her "u##ed chee)s san)& her com"le2ion gre! clearer& and a s!eetsmile s"read o$er her countenance& as "eace#ull% she rose and rose. 'ut there !as treason andre(ellion in her court+ #or& ere she reached the to" o# her great stairs& the clouds had assem(led&#orgetting their late !ars& and $er% still the% !ere as the% laid their heads together and cons"ired.

Then com(ining& and l%ing silentl% in !ait until she came near& the% thre! themsel$es u"on her&and s!allo!ed her u". Do!n #rom the roo# came s"ots o# !et& #aster and #aster& and the% !ettedthe chee)s o# >%cteris+ and !hat could the% (e (ut the tears o# the moon& cr%ing (ecause herchildren !ere smothering her >%cteris !e"t too& and not )no!ing !hat to thin)& stole (ac) indisma% to her room.

The ne2t time& she came out in #ear and trem(ling. There !as the moon still@ a!a% in the !est "oor& indeed& and old& and loo)ing dread#ull% !orn& as i# all the !ild (easts in the s)% had (eengna!ing at her(ut there she !as& ali$e still& and a(le to shine@

C*A3T HI.

T* 9=>9T.

<no!ing nothing o# dar)ness& or stars& or moon& 3hotogen s"ent his da%s in hunting. n a great!hite horse he s!e"t o$er the grass% "lains& glor%ing in the sun& #ighting the !ind& and )illingthe (u##aloes.

ne morning& !hen he ha""ened to (e on the ground a little earlier than usual& and (e#ore hisattendants& he caught sight o# an animal un)no!n to him& stealing #rom a hollo! into !hich thesunra%s had not %et reached. ;i)e a s!i#t shado! it s"ed o$er the grass& slin)ing south!ard tothe #orest. *e ga$e chase& noted the (od% o# a (u##alo it had hal# eaten& and "ursued it the harder.'ut !ith great lea"s and (ounds the creature shot #arther and #arther ahead o# him& and $anished.Turning there#ore de#eated& he met Fargu& !ho had (een #ollo!ing him as #ast as his horse couldcarr% him.

-/hat animal !as that& Fargu- he as)ed. -*o! he did run@-

Fargu ans!ered he might (e a leo"ard& (ut he rather thought #rom his "ace and loo) that he !as a%oung lion.

-/hat a co!ard he must he@- said 3hotogen.

-Don4t (e too sure o# that&- re?oined Fargu. -*e is one o# the creatures the sun ma)esuncom#orta(le. As soon as the sun is do!n& he !ill (e (ra$e enough.-



*e had scarcel% said it& !hen he re"ented nor did he regret it the less !hen he #ound that3hotogen made no re"l%. 'ut alas@ said !as said.

-Then&- said 3hotogen to himsel#& -that contem"ti(le (east is one o# the terrors o# sundo!n& o#!hich Madam /atho s"o)e@-

*e hunted all da%& (ut not !ith his usual s"irit. *e did not ride so hard& and did not )ill one (u##alo. Fargu to his disma% o(ser$ed also that he too) e$er% "rete2t #or mo$ing #arther south&nearer to the #orest. 'ut all at once& the sun no! sin)ing in the !est& he seemed to change hismind& #or he turned his horse4s head& and rode home so #ast that the rest could not )ee" him insight. /hen the% arri$ed& the% #ound his horse in the sta(le& and concluded that he had gone intothe castle. 'ut he had in truth set out again (% the (ac) o# it. Crossing the ri$er a good !a% u"the $alle%& he reascended to the ground the% had le#t& and ?ust (e#ore sunset reached the s)irts o#the #orest.

The le$el or( shone straight in (et!een the (are stems& and sa%ing to himsel# he could not #ail to

#ind the (east& he rushed into the !ood. 'ut e$en as he entered& he turned& and loo)ed to the!est. The rim o# the red !as touching the hori5on& all ?agged !ith (ro)en hills. ->o!&- said3hotogen& -!e shall see+- (ut he said it in the #ace o# a dar)ness he had not "ro$ed. The momentthe sun (egan to sin) among the s"i)es and sa!edges& !ith a )ind o# sudden #la" at his heart a#ear ine2"lica(le laid hold o# the %outh+ and as he had ne$er #elt an%thing o# the )ind (e#ore& the$er% #ear itsel# terri#ied him. As the sun san)& it rose li)e the shado! o# the !orld& and gre!dee"er and dar)er. *e could not e$en thin) !hat it might (e& so utterl% did it en#ee(le him. /henthe last #laming scimitaredge o# the sun !ent out li)e a lam"& his horror seemed to (lossom into$er% madness. ;i)e the closing lids o# an e%e#or there !as no t!ilight& and this night no moonthe terror and the dar)ness rushed together& and he )ne! them #or one. *e !as no longer the manhe had )no!n& or rather thought himsel#. The courage he had had !as in no sense his o!nhehad onl% had courage& not (een courageous+ it had le#t him& and he could scarcel% standcertainl% not stand straight& #or not one o# his ?oints could he ma)e sti## or )ee" #rom trem(ling.*e !as (ut a s"ar) o# the sun& in himsel# nothing.

The (east !as (ehind himstealing u"on him@ *e turned. All !as dar) in the !ood& (ut to his#anc% the dar)ness here and there (ro)e into "airs o# green e%es& and he had not the "o!er e$ento raise his (o!hand #rom his side. In the strength o# des"air he stro$e to rouse courageenoughnot to #ightthat he did not e$en desire(ut to run. Courage to #lee home !as all hecould e$er imagine& and it !ould not come. 'ut !hat he had not& !as ignominiousl% gi$en him.A cr% in the !ood& hal# a screech& hal# a gro!l& sent him running li)e a (oar!ounded cur. It !asnot e$en himsel# that ran& it !as the #ear that had come ali$e in his legs: he did not )no! thatthe% mo$ed. 'ut as he ran he gre! a(le to rungained courage at least to (e a co!ard. The starsga$e a little light. $er the grass he s"ed& and nothing #ollo!ed him. -*o! #allen& ho! changed&-#rom the %outh !ho had clim(ed the hill as the sun !ent do!n@ A mere contem"t to himsel#& thesel# that contemned !as a co!ard !ith the sel# it contemned@ There la% the sha"eless (lac) o# a (u##alo& hum"ed u"on the grass: he made a !ide circuit& and s!e"t on li)e a shado! dri$en inthe !ind. For the !ind had arisen& and added to his terror: it (le! #rom (ehind him. *e reachedthe (ro! o# the $alle%& and shot do!n the stee" descent li)e a #alling star. Instantl% the !holeu""er countr% (ehind him arose and "ursued him@ The !ind came ho!ling a#ter him& #illed !ith



screams& shrie)s& %ells& roars& laughter& and chattering& as i# all the animals o# the #orest !erecareering !ith it. In his ears !as a tram"ling rush& the thunder o# the hoo#s o# the cattle& in career #rom e$er% ,uarter o# the !ide "lains to the (ro! o# the hill a(o$e him@ *e #led straight #or thecastle& scarcel% !ith (reath enough to "ant.

As he reached the (ottom o# the $alle%& the moon "eered u" o$er its edge. *e had ne$er seen themoon (e#oree2ce"t in the da%time& !hen he had ta)en her #or a thin (right cloud. 9he !as a#resh terror to himso ghostl%@ so ghastl%@ so gruesome@so )no!ing as she loo)ed o$er the to"o# her garden!all u"on the !orld outside@ That !as the night itsel#@ the dar)ness ali$eand a#ter him@ the horror o# horrors coming do!n the s)% to curdle his (lood& and turn his (rain to acinder@ *e ga$e a so(& and made straight #or the ri$er& !here it ran (et!een the t!o !alls& at the (ottom o# the garden. *e "lunged in& struggled through& clam(ered u" the (an)& and #ellsenseless on the grass.

C*A3T HII.

T* GAD>.

Although >%cteris too) care not to sta% out long at a time& and used e$er% "recaution& she couldhardl% ha$e esca"ed disco$er% so long& had it not (een that the strange attac)s to !hich /atho!as su(?ect had (een more #re,uent o# late& and had at last settled into an illness !hich )e"t herto her (ed. 'ut !hether #rom an access o# caution or #rom sus"icion& Falca& ha$ing no! to (emuch !ith her mistress (oth da% and night& too) it at length into her head to #asten the door aso#ten as she !ent (% her usual "lace o# e2it+ so that one night& !hen >%cteris "ushed& she #ound&to her sur"rise and disma%& that the !all "ushed her again& and !ould not let her through+ nor!ith all her searching could she disco$er !herein la% the cause o# the change. Then #irst she #eltthe "ressure o# her "rison!alls& and turning& hal# in des"air& gro"ed her !a% to the "icture !hereshe had once seen Falca disa""ear. There she soon #ound the s"ot (% "ressing u"on !hich the!all %ielded. It let her through into a sort o# cellar& !here !as a glimmer o# light #rom a s)%!hose (lue !as "aled (% the moon. From the cellar she got into a long "assage& into !hich themoon !as shining& and came to a door. 9he managed to o"en it& and& to her great ?o%& #oundhersel# in 0the other "lace0& not on the to" o# the !all& ho!e$er& (ut in the garden she had longedto enter. >oiseless as a #lu##% moth she #litted a!a% into the co$ert o# the trees and shru(s& her (are #eet !elcomed (% the so#test o# car"ets& !hich& (% the $er% touch& her #eet )ne! to (e ali$e&!hence it came that it !as so s!eet and #riendl% to them. A so#t little !ind !as out among thetrees& running no! here& no! there& li)e a child that had got its !ill. 9he !ent dancing o$er thegrass& loo)ing (ehind her at her shado!& as she !ent. At #irst she had ta)en it #or a little (lac)creature that made game o# her& (ut !hen she "ercei$ed that it !as onl% !here she )e"t the moona!a%& and that e$er% tree& ho!e$er great and grand a creature& had also one o# these strangeattendants& she soon learned not to mind it& and (% and (% it (ecame the source o# as muchamusement to her& as to an% )itten its tail. It !as long (e#ore she !as ,uite at home !ith thetrees& ho!e$er. At one time the% seemed to disa""ro$e o# her+ at another not e$en to )no! she



!as there& and to (e altogether ta)en u" !ith their o!n (usiness. 9uddenl%& as she !ent #rom oneto another o# them& loo)ing u" !ith a!e at the murmuring m%ster% o# their (ranches and lea$es&she s"ied one a little !a% o##& !hich !as $er% di##erent #rom all the rest. It !as !hite& and dar)&and s"ar)ling& and s"read li)e a "alma small slender "alm& !ithout much head+ and it gre!$er% #ast& and sang as it gre!. 'ut it ne$er gre! an% (igger& #or ?ust as #ast as she could see it

gro!ing& it )e"t #alling to "ieces. /hen she got close to it& she disco$ered that it !as a !atertreemade o# ?ust such !ater as she !ashed !ithonl% it !as ali$e o# course& li)e the ri$eradi##erent sort o# !ater #rom that& dou(tless& seeing the one cre"t s!i#tl% along the #loor& and theother shot straight u"& and #ell& and s!allo!ed itsel#& and rose again. 9he "ut her #eet into themar(le (asin& !hich !as the #lo!er"ot in !hich it gre!. It !as #ull o# real !ater& li$ing andcoolso nice& #or the night !as hot@

'ut the #lo!ers@ ah& the #lo!ers@ she !as #riends !ith them #rom the $er% #irst. /hat !onder#ulcreatures the% !ere@and so )ind and (eauti#ulal!a%s sending out such colours and suchscentsred scent& and !hite scent& and %ello! scent#or the other creatures@ The one that !asin$isi(le and e$er%!here& too) such a ,uantit% o# their scents& and carried it a!a%@ %et the% did

not seem to mind. It !as their tal)& to sho! the% !ere ali$e& and not "ainted li)e those on the!alls o# her rooms& and on the car"ets.

9he !andered along do!n the garden until she reached the ri$er. =na(le then to get an% #urther#or she !as a little a#raid& and ?ustl%& o# the s!i#t !ater% ser"entshe dro""ed on the grass% (an)&di""ed her #eet in the !ater& and #elt it running and "ushing against them. For a long time she satthus& and her (liss seemed com"lete& as she ga5ed at the ri$er& and !atched the (ro)en "icture o#the great lam" o$erhead& mo$ing u" one side o# the roo#& to go do!n the other.

C*A3T HIII.

9MT*I>G E=IT >/.

A (eauti#ul moth (rushed across the great (lue e%es o# >%cteris. 9he s"rang to her #eet to #ollo!itnot in the s"irit o# the hunter& (ut o# the lo$er. *er heartli)e e$er% heart& i# onl% its #allensides !ere cleared a!a%!as an ine2hausti(le #ountain o# lo$e: she lo$ed e$er%thing she sa!.'ut as she #ollo!ed the moth& she caught sight o# something l%ing on the (an) o# the ri$er& andnot %et ha$ing learned to (e a#raid o# an%thing& ran straight to see !hat it !as. eaching it& shestood ama5ed. Another girl li)e hersel#@ 'ut !hat a strangeloo)ing girl@so curiousl% dressedtoo@and not a(le to mo$e@ /as she dead Filled suddenl% !ith "it%& she sat do!n& li#ted3hotogen4s head& laid it on her la"& and (egan stro)ing his #ace. *er !arm hands (rought him tohimsel#. *e o"ened his (lac) e%es& out o# !hich had gone all the #ire& and loo)ed u" !ith astrange sound o# #ear& hal# moan& hal# gas". 'ut !hen he sa! her #ace& he dre! a dee" (reath&and la% motionlessga5ing at her: those (lue mar$els a(o$e him& li)e a (etter s)%& seemed to side!ith courage and assuage his terror. At length& in a trem(ling& a!ed $oice& and a hal# !his"er& hesaid& -/ho are %ou-



-I am >%cteris&- she ans!ered.

-Bou are a creature o# the dar)ness& and lo$e the night&- he said& his #ear (eginning to mo$eagain.

-I ma% (e a creature o# the dar)ness&- she re"lied. -I hardl% )no! !hat %ou mean. 'ut I do notlo$e the night. I lo$e the da%!ith all m% heart+ and I slee" all the night long.-

-*o! can that (e- said 3hotogen& rising on his el(o!& (ut dro""ing his head on her la" againthe moment he sa! the moon+ -ho! can it (e&- he re"eated& -!hen I see %our e%es there!idea!a)e-

9he onl% smiled and stro)ed him& #or she did not understand him& and thought he did not )no!!hat he !as sa%ing.

-/as it a dream then- resumed 3hotogen& ru((ing his e%es. 'ut !ith that his memor% cameclear& and he shuddered& and cried& -h horri(le@ horri(le@ to (e turned all at once into a co!ard@a shame#ul& contem"ti(le& disgrace#ul co!ard@ I am ashamedashamedand 0so0 #rightened@ Itis all so #right#ul@-

-/hat is so #right#ul- as)ed >%cteris& !ith a smile li)e that o# a mother to her child !a)ed #roma (ad dream.

-All& all&- he ans!ered+ -all this dar)ness and the roaring.-

-M% dear&- said >%cteris& -there is no roaring. *o! sensiti$e %ou must (e@ /hat %ou hear is onl%the !al)ing o# the !ater& and the running a(out o# the s!eetest o# all the creatures. 9he isin$isi(le& and I call her $er%!here& #or she goes through all the other creatures and com#ortsthem. >o! she is amusing hersel#& and them too& !ith sha)ing them and )issing them& and (lo!ing in their #aces. ;isten: do %ou call that roaring Bou should hear her !hen she is ratherangr% though@ I don4t )no! !h%& (ut she is sometimes& and then she does roar a little.-

-It is so horri(l% dar)@- said 3hotogen& !ho& listening !hile she s"o)e& had satis#ied himsel# thatthere !as no roaring.

-Dar)@- she echoed. -Bou should (e in m% room !hen an earth,ua)e has )illed m% lam". I donot understand. *o! 0can0 %ou call this dar) ;et me see: %es& %ou ha$e e%es& and (ig ones& (igger than Madam /atho4s or Falca4snot so (ig as mine& I #anc%onl% I ne$er sa! mine. 'utthenoh %es@I )no! no! !hat is the matter@ Bou can4t see !ith them (ecause the% are so (lac).Dar)ness can4t see& o# course. >e$er mind: I !ill (e %our e%es& and teach %ou to see. ;oo) hereat these lo$el% !hite things in the grass& !ith red shar" "oints all #olded together into one. h& Ilo$e them so@ I could sit loo)ing at them all da%& the darlings@-



3hotogen loo)ed close at the #lo!ers& and thought he had seen something li)e them (e#ore& (utcould not ma)e them out. As >%cteris had ne$er seen an o"en dais%& so had he ne$er seen aclosed one.

Thus instincti$el% >%cteris tried to turn him a!a% #rom his #ear+ and the (eauti#ul creature4s

strange lo$el% tal) hel"ed not a little to ma)e him #orget it.

-Bou call it dar)@- she said again& as i# she could not get rid o# the a(surdit% o# the idea+ -!h%& Icould count e$er% (lade o# the green hairI su""ose it is !hat the (oo)s call grass!ithin t!o%ards o# me@ And ?ust loo) at the great lam"@ It is (righter than usual toda%& and I can4t thin)!h% %ou should (e #rightened& or call it dar)@-

As she s"o)e& she !ent on stro)ing his chee)s and hair& and tr%ing to com#ort him. 'ut oh ho!misera(le he !as@ and ho! "lainl% he loo)ed it@ *e !as on the "oint o# sa%ing that her greatlam" !as dread#ul to him& loo)ing li)e a !itch& !al)ing in the slee" o# death+ (ut he !as not soignorant as >%cteris& and )ne! e$en in the moonlight that she !as a !oman& though he had

ne$er seen one so %oung or so lo$el% (e#ore+ and !hile she com#orted his #ear& her "resencemade him the more ashamed o# it. 'esides& not )no!ing her nature& he might anno% her& andma)e her lea$e him to his miser%. *e la% still there#ore& hardl% daring to mo$e: all the little li#ehe had seemed to come #rom her& and i# he !ere to mo$e& she might mo$e+ and i# she !ere tolea$e him& he must !ee" li)e a child.

-*o! did %ou come hereas)ed >%cteris& ta)ing his #ace (et!een her hands.

-Do!n the hill&- he ans!ered.

-/here do %ou slee"- she as)ed.

*e signed in the direction o# the house. 9he ga$e a little laugh o# delight.

-/hen %ou ha$e learned not to (e #rightened& %ou !ill al!a%s (e !anting to come out !ith me&-she said.

9he thought !ith hersel# she !ould as) her "resentl%& !hen she had come to hersel# a little& ho!she had made her esca"e& #or she must& o# course& li)e hersel# ha$e got out o# a ca$e& in !hich/atho and Falca had (een )ee"ing her.

-;oo) at the lo$el% colours&- she !ent on& "ointing to a rose(ush& on !hich 3hotogen could notsee a single #lo!er. -The% are #ar more (eauti#ulare the% notthan an% o# the colours u"on%our !alls. And then the% are ali$e& and smell so s!eet@-

*e !ished she !ould not ma)e him )ee" o"ening his e%es to loo) at things he could not see+ ande$er% other moment !ould start and gras" tight hold o# her& as some #resh "ang o# terror shot intohim.



-Come& come& dear@- said >%cteris+ -%ou must not go on this !a%. Bou must (e a (ra$e girl&and-

-A girl@- shouted 3hotogen& and started to his #eet in !rath. -I# %ou !ere a man& I should )ill%ou.-

-A man- re"eated >%cteris: -!hat is that *o! could I (e that /e are (oth girlsare !e not-

->o& I am not a girl&- he ans!ered+ -although&- he added& changing his tone& and castinghimsel# on the ground at her #eet& -I ha$e gi$en %ou too good reason to call me one.-

-h& I see@- returned >%cteris. ->o& o# course@ %ou can4t (e a girl: girls are not a#raid!ithoutreason. I understand no!: it is (ecause %ou are not a girl that %ou are so #rightened.-

3hotogen t!isted and !rithed u"on the grass.

->o& it is not&- he said sul)il%+ -it is this horri(le dar)ness that cree"s into me& goes all throughme& into the $er% marro! o# m% (onesthat is !hat ma)es me (eha$e li)e a girl. I# onl% the sun!ould rise@-

-The sun@ !hat is it- cried >%cteris& no! in her turn concei$ing a $ague #ear.

Then 3hotogen (ro)e into a rha"sod%& in !hich he $ainl% sought to #orget his.

-It is the soul& the li#e& the heart& the glor% o# the uni$erse&- he said. -The !orlds dance li)e motesin his (eams. The heart o# man is strong and (ra$e in his light& and !hen it de"arts his couragegro!s #rom himgoes !ith the sun& and he (ecomes such as %ou see me no!.-

-Then that is not the sun- said >%cteris& thought#ull%& "ointing u" to the moon.

-That@- cried 3hotogen& !ith utter scorn+ -I )no! nothing a(out 0that0& e2ce"t that it is ugl% andhorri(le. At (est it can (e onl% the ghost o# a dead sun. Bes& that is it@ That is !hat ma)es it loo)so #right#ul.-

->o&- said >%cteris& a#ter a long& thought#ul "ause+ -%ou must (e !rong there. I thin) the sun isthe ghost o# a dead moon& and that is ho! he is so much more s"lendid as %ou sa%.Is there&then& another (ig room& !here the sun li$es in the roo#-

-I do not )no! !hat %ou mean&- re"lied 3hotogen. -'ut %ou mean to (e )ind& I )no!& though%ou should not call a "oor #ello! in the dar) a girl. I# %ou !ill let me lie here& !ith m% head in%our la"& I should li)e to slee". /ill %ou !atch me& and ta)e care o# me-

-Bes& that I !ill&- ans!ered >%cteris& #orgetting all her o!n danger.

9o 3hotogen #ell aslee".



C*A3T HI.

T* 9=>.

There >%cteris sat& and there the %outh la%& all night long& in the heart o# the great coneshado!o# the earth& li)e t!o 3haraohs in one "%ramid. 3hotogen sle"t& and sle"t+ and >%cteris satmotionless lest she should !a)e him& and so (etra% him to his #ear.

The moon rode high in the (lue eternit%+ it !as a $er% trium"h o# glorious night+ the ri$er ran (a((lemurmuring in dee" so#t s%lla(les+ the #ountain )e"t rushing moon!ard& and (lossomingmomentl% to a great sil$er% #lo!er& !hose "etals !ere #or e$er #alling li)e sno!& (ut !ith acontinuous musical clash& into the (ed o# its e2haustion (eneath+ the !ind !o)e& too) a run

among the trees& !ent to slee"& and !o)e again+ the daisies sle"t on their #eet at hers& (ut she didnot )no! the% sle"t+ the roses might !ell seem a!a)e& #or their scent #illed the air& (ut in truththe% sle"t also& and the odour !as that o# their dreams+ the oranges hung li)e gold lam"s in thetrees& and their sil$er% #lo!ers !ere the souls o# their %et unem(odied children+ the scent o# theacacia (looms #illed the air li)e the $er% odour o# the moon hersel#.

At last& unused to the li$ing air& and !ear% !ith sitting so still and so long& >%cteris gre! dro!s%.The air (egan to gro! cool. It !as getting near the time !hen she too !as accustomed to slee".9he closed her e%es ?ust a moment& and noddedo"ened them suddenl% !ide& #or she had "romised to !atch.

In that moment a change had come. The moon had got round& and !as #ronting her #rom the!est& and she sa! that her #ace !as altered& that she had gro!n "ale& as i# she too !ere !an !ith#ear& and #rom her lo#t% "lace es"ied a coming terror. The light seemed to (e dissol$ing out o#her+ she !as d%ingshe !as going out@ And %et e$er%thing around loo)ed strangel% clearclearer than e$er she had seen an%thing (e#ore: ho! could the lam" (e shedding more light !henshe hersel# had less Ah& that !as ?ust it@ 9ee ho! #aint she loo)ed@ It !as (ecause the light !as#orsa)ing her& and s"reading itsel# o$er the room& that she gre! so thin and "ale@ 9he !as gi$ingu" e$er%thing@ 9he !as melting a!a% #rom the roo# li)e a (it o# sugar in !ater.

>%cteris !as #ast gro!ing a#raid& and sought re#uge !ith the #ace u"on her la". *o! (eauti#ulthe creature !as@!hat to call it she could not thin)& #or it had (een angr% !hen she called it!hat /atho called her. And& !onder u"on !onder@ no!& e$en in the cold change that !as "assing u"on the great room& the colour as o# a red rose !as rising in the !an chee). /hat (eauti#ul %ello! hair it !as that s"read o$er her la"@ /hat great huge (reaths the creature too)@And !hat !ere those curious things it carried 9he had seen them on her !alls& she !as sure.

Thus she tal)ed to hersel# !hile the lam" gre! "aler and "aler& and e$er%thing )e"t gro!ing %etclearer. /hat could it mean The lam" !as d%inggoing out into the other "lace o# !hich thecreature in her la" had s"o)en& to (e a sun@ 'ut !h% !ere the things gro!ing clearer (e#ore it



!as %et a sun That !as the "oint. /as it her gro!ing into a sun that did it Bes@ %es@ it !ascoming death@ 9he )ne! it& #or it !as coming u"on her also@ 9he #elt it coming@ /hat !as shea(out to gro! into 9omething (eauti#ul& li)e the creature in her la" It might (e@ An%ho!& itmust (e death+ #or all her strength !as going out o# her& !hile all around her !as gro!ing solight she could not (ear it@ 9he must (e (lind soon@ /ould she (e (lind or dead #irst

For the sun !as rushing u" (ehind her. 3hotogen !o)e& li#ted his head #rom her la"& and s"rangto his #eet. *is #ace !as one radiant smile. *is heart !as #ull o# daringthat o# the hunter !ho!ill cree" into the tiger4s den. >%cteris ga$e a cr%& co$ered her #ace !ith her hands& and "ressedher e%elids close. Then (lindl% she stretched out her arms to 3hotogen& cr%ing& -h& I am so#rightened@ /hat is this It must (e death@ I don4t !ish to die %et. I lo$e this room and the oldlam". I do not !ant the other "lace@ This is terri(le. I !ant to hide. I !ant to get into the s!eet&so#t& dar) hands o# all the other creatures. Ah me@ ah me@-

-/hat is the matter !ith %ou& girl- said 3hotogen& !ith the arrogance o# all male creatures untilthe% ha$e (een taught (% the other )ind. *e stood loo)ing do!n u"on her o$er his (o!& o# !hich

he !as e2amining the string. -There is no #ear o# an%thing no!& child. It is da%. The sun is all (utu". ;oo)@ he !ill (e a(o$e the (ro! o# %on hill in one moment more@ Good(%e. Than) %ou #orm% night4s lodging. I4m o##. Don4t (e a goose. I# e$er I can do an%thing #or %ouand all that& %ou)no!@-

-Don4t lea$e me+ oh& don4t lea$e me@- cried >%cteris. -I am d%ing@ I am d%ing@ I cannot mo$e.The light suc)s all the strength out o# me. And oh& I am so #rightened@-

'ut alread% 3hotogen had s"lashed through the ri$er& holding high his (o! that it might not get!et. *e rushed across the le$el& and strained u" the o""osing hill. *earing no ans!er& >%cterisremo$ed her hands. 3hotogen had reached the to"& and the same moment the sunra%s alightedu"on him: the glor% o# the )ing o# da% cro!ded (la5ing u"on the goldenhaired %outh. adiant asA"ollo& he stood in might% strength& a #lashing sha"e in the midst o# #lame. *e #itted a glo!ingarro! to a gleaming (o!. The arro! "arted !ith a )een musical t!ang o# the (o!string& and3hotogen darting a#ter it& $anished !ith a shout. =" shot A"ollo himsel#& and #rom his ,ui$erscattered astonishment and e2ultation. 'ut the (rain o# "oor >%cteris !as "ierced through andthrough. 9he #ell do!n in utter dar)ness. All around her !as a #laming #urnace. In des"air and#ee(leness and agon%& she cre"t (ac)& #eeling her !a% !ith dou(t and di##icult% and en#orced "ersistence to her cell. /hen at last the #riendl% dar)ness o# her cham(er #olded her a(out !ithits cooling and consoling arms& she thre! hersel# on her (ed and #ell #ast aslee". And there shesle"t on& one ali$e in a tom(& !hile 3hotogen& a(o$e in the sunglor%& "ursued the (u##aloes onthe lo#t% "lain& thin)ing not once o# her !here she la% dar) and #orsa)en& !hose "resence had (een his re#uge& her e%es and her hands his guardians through the night. *e !as in his glor% andhis "ride+ and the dar)ness and its disgrace had $anished #or a time.

C*A3T H.



T* C/AD *.

'ut no sooner had the sun reached the noonstead& than 3hotogen (egan to remem(er the "astnight in the shado! o# that !hich !as at hand& and to remem(er it !ith shame. *e had "ro$ed

himsel#and not to himsel# onl%& (ut to a girl as !ella co!ard@one (old in the da%light& !hilethere !as nothing to #ear& (ut trem(ling li)e an% sla$e !hen the night arri$ed. There !as& theremust (e& something un#air in it@ A s"ell had (een cast u"on him@ *e had eaten& he had drun)something that did not agree !ith courage@ In an% case he had (een ta)en un"re"ared@ *o! !ashe to )no! !hat the going do!n o# the sun !ould (e li)e It !as no !onder he should ha$e (eensur"rised into terror& seeing it !as !hat it !asin its $er% nature so terri(le@ Also. one could notsee !here danger might (e coming #rom@ Bou might (e torn in "ieces& carried o##& or s!allo!edu"& !ithout e$en seeing !here to stri)e a (lo!@ $er% "ossi(le e2cuse he caught at& eager as asel#lo$er to lighten his sel#contem"t. That da% he astonished the huntsmenterri#ied them !ithhis rec)less daringsall to "ro$e to himsel# he !as no co!ard. 'ut nothing eased his shame. nething onl% had ho"e in itthe resol$e to encounter the dar) in solemn earnest& no! that he )ne!

something o# !hat it !as. It !as no(ler to meet a recogni5ed danger than to rush contem"tuousl%into !hat seemed nothingno(ler still to encounter a nameless horror. *e could con,uer #ear and!i"e out disgrace together. For a mar)sman and s!ordsman li)e him& he said& one !ith hisstrength and courage& there !as (ut danger. De#eat there !as not. *e )ne! the dar)ness no!& and!hen it came he !ould meet it as #earless and cool as no! he #elt himsel#. And again he said&-/e shall see@-

*e stood under the (oughs o# a great (eech as the sun !as going do!n& #ar a!a% o$er the ?aggedhills: (e#ore it !as hal# do!n& he !as trem(ling li)e one o# the lea$es (ehind him in the #irst sigho# the night!ind. The moment the last o# the glo!ing disc $anished& he (ounded a!a% in terrorto gain the $alle%& and his #ear gre! as he ran. Do!n the side o# the hill& an a(?ect creature& he!ent (ounding and rolling and running+ #ell rather than "lunged into the ri$er& and came tohimsel#& as (e#ore& l%ing on the grass% (an) in the garden.

'ut !hen he o"ened his e%es& there !ere no girle%es loo)ing do!n into his+ there !ere onl% thestars in the !aste o# the sunless >ightthe a!#ul allenem% he had again dared& (ut could notencounter. 3erha"s the girl !as not %et come out o# the !ater@ *e !ould tr% to slee"& #or he darednot mo$e& and "erha"s !hen he !o)e he !ould #ind his head on her la"& and the (eauti#ul dar)#ace& !ith its dee" (lue e%es& (ending o$er him. 'ut !hen he !o)e he #ound his head on thegrass& and although he s"rang u" !ith all his courage& such as it !as& restored& he did not set out#or the chase !ith such an 0elan0 as the da% (e#ore+ and& des"ite the sunglor% in his heart and$eins& his hunting !as this da% less eager+ he ate little& and #rom the #irst !as thought#ul e$en tosadness. A second time he !as de#eated and disgraced@ /as his courage nothing more than the "la% o# the sunlight on his (rain /as he a mere (all tossed (et!een the light and the dar) Then!hat a "oor contem"ti(le creature he !as@ 'ut a third chance la% (e#ore him. I# he #ailed thethird time& he dared not #oreshado! !hat he must then thin) o# himsel#@ It !as (ad enough no! (ut then@

Alas@ it !ent no (etter. The moment the sun !as do!n& he #led as i# #rom a legion o# de$ils.



9e$en times in all& he tried to #ace the coming night in the strength o# the "ast da%& and se$entimes he #ailed#ailed !ith such increase o# #ailure& !ith such a gro!ing sense o# ignomin%&o$er!helming at length all the sunn% hours and ?oining night to night& that& !hat !ith miser%&sel#accusation& and loss o# con#idence& his da%light courage too (egan to #ade& and at length&#rom e2haustion& #rom getting !et& and then l%ing out o# doors all night& and night a#ter night&

!orst o# all& #rom the consuming o# the deathl% #ear& and the shame o# shame& his slee" #orsoo)him& and on the se$enth morning& instead o# going to the hunt& he cra!led into the castle& and!ent to (ed. The grand health& o$er !hich the !itch had ta)en such "ains& had %ielded& and in anhour or t!o he !as moaning and cr%ing out in delirium.

C*A3T HI.

A> I; >=9.

/atho !as hersel# ill& as I ha$e said& and !as the !orse tem"ered+ and& (esides& it is a "eculiarit%o# !itches& that !hat !or)s in others to s%m"ath%& !or)s in them to re"ulsion. Also& /atho had a "oor& hel"less& rudimentar% s"leen o# a conscience le#t& ?ust enough to ma)e her uncom#orta(le&and there#ore more !ic)ed. 9o& !hen she heard that 3hotogen !as ill& she !as angr%. Ill& indeed@a#ter all she had done to saturate him !ith the li#e o# the s%stem& !ith the solar might itsel#@ *e!as a !retched #ailure& the (o%@ And (ecause he !as 0her0 #ailure& she !as anno%ed !ith him& (egan to disli)e him& gre! to hate him. 9he loo)ed on him as a "ainter might u"on a "icture& or a "oet& u"on a "oem& !hich he had onl% succeeded in getting into an irreco$era(le mess. In thehearts o# !itches& lo$e and hate lie close together& and o#ten tum(le o$er each other. And !hether it !as that her #ailure !ith 3hotogen #oiled also her "lans in regard to >%cteris& or that her illnessmade her %et more o# a de$il4s !i#e& certainl% /atho no! got sic) o# the girl too& and hated to)no! her a(out the castle.

9he !as not too ill& ho!e$er& to go to "oor 3hotogen4s room and torment him. 9he told him shehated him li)e a ser"ent& and hissed li)e one as she said it& loo)ing $er% shar" in the nose andchin& and #lat in the #orehead. 3hotogen thought she meant to )ill him& and hardl% $entured tota)e an%thing (rought him. 9he ordered e$er% ra% o# light to (e shut out o# his room+ (ut (%means o# this he got a little used to the dar)ness. 9he !ould ta)e one o# his arro!s& and no!tic)le him !ith the #eather end o# it& no! "ric) him !ith the "oint till the (lood ran do!n. /hatshe meant #inall% I cannot tell& (ut she (rought 3hotogen s"eedil% to the determination o# ma)inghis esca"e #rom the castle: !hat he should do then he !ould thin) a#ter!ards. /ho could tell (uthe might #ind his mother some!here (e%ond the #orest@ I# it !ere not #or the (road "atches o#dar)ness that di$ided da% #rom da%& he !ould #ear nothing@

'ut no!& as he la% hel"less in the dar)& e$er and anon !ould come da!ning through it the #ace o# the lo$el% creature !ho on that #irst a!#ul night nursed him so s!eetl%: !as he ne$er to see heragain I# she !as& as he had concluded& the n%m"h o# the ri$er& !h% had she not rea""eared9he might ha$e taught him not to #ear the night& #or "lainl% she had no #ear o# it hersel#@ 'ut



then& !hen the da% came& she did seem #rightened:!h% !as that& seeing there !as nothing to (ea#raid o# then 3erha"s one so much at home in the dar)ness& !as corres"ondingl% a#raid o# thelight@ Then his sel#ish ?o% at the rising o# the sun& (linding him to her condition& had made him (eha$e to her& in ill return #or her )indness& as cruell% as /atho (eha$ed to him@ *o! s!eet anddear and lo$el% she !as@ I# there !ere !ild (easts that came out onl% at night& and !ere a#raid o#

the light& !h% should there not (e girls too& made the same !a%!ho could not endure the light&as he could not (ear the dar)ness I# onl% he could #ind her again@ Ah& ho! di##erentl% he !ould (eha$e to her@ 'ut alas@ "erha"s the sun had )illed hermelted her(urned her u"@dried heru"that !as it& i# she !as the n%m"h o# the ri$er@

C*A3T HII

/AT*49 /;F.

From that dread#ul morning >%cteris had ne$er got to (e hersel# again. The sudden light had (een almost death to her+ and no! she la% in the dar) !ith the memor% o# a terri#ic shar"nessasomething she dared scarcel% recall& lest the $er% thought o# it should sting her (e%ondendurance. 'ut this !as as nothing to the "ain !hich the recollection o# the rudeness o# theshining creature !hom she had nursed through his #ear caused her+ #or& the moment his su##ering "assed o$er to her& and he !as #ree& the #irst use he made o# his returning strength had (een toscorn her@ 9he !ondered and !ondered+ it !as all (e%ond her com"rehension.

'e#ore long& /atho !as "lotting e$il against her. The !itch !as li)e a sic) child !ear% o# histo%: she !ould "ull her to "ieces& and see ho! she li)ed it. 9he !ould set her in the sun& and seeher die& li)e a ?ell% #rom the salt ocean cast out on a hot roc). It !ould (e a sight to soothe her!ol#"ain. ne da%& there#ore& a little (e#ore noon& !hile >%cteris !as in her dee"est slee"& shehad a dar)ened litter (rought to the door& and in that she made t!o o# her men carr% her to the "lain a(o$e. There the% too) her out& laid her on the grass& and le#t her.

/atho !atched it all #rom the to" o# her high to!er& through her telesco"e+ and scarcel% !as >%cteris le#t& !hen she sa! her sit u"& and the same moment cast hersel# do!n again !ith her#ace to the ground.

-9he4ll ha$e a sunstro)e&- said /atho& -and that4ll (e the end o# her.-

3resentl%& tormented (% a #l%& a hugehum"ed (u##alo& !ith great shagg% mane& came gallo"ingalong& straight #or !here she la%. At sight o# the thing on the grass& he started& s!er$ed %ardsaside& sto""ed dead& and then came slo!l% u"& loo)ing malicious. >%cteris la% ,uite still& andne$er e$en sa! the animal.

->o! she4ll (e trodden to death@- said /atho. -That4s the !a% those creatures do.-



/hen the (u##alo reached her& he sni##ed at her all o$er& and !ent a!a%+ then came (ac)& andsni##ed again+ then all at once !ent o## as i# a demon had him (% the tail.

>e2t came a gnu& a more dangerous animal still& and did much the same+ then a gaunt !ild (oar.'ut no creature hurt her& and /atho !as angr% !ith the !hole creation.

At length& in the shade o# her hair& the (lue e%es o# >%cteris (egan to come to themsel$es a little&and the #irst thing the% sa! !as a com#ort. I ha$e told alread% ho! she )ne! the nightdaisies&each a shar""ointed little cone !ith a red ti"+ and once she had "arted the ra%s o# one o# them&!ith trem(ling #ingers& #or she !as a#raid she !as dread#ull% rude& and "erha"s !as hurting it+ (ut she did !ant& she said to hersel#& to see !hat secret it carried so care#ull% hidden+ and she#ound its golden heart. 'ut no!& right under her e%es& inside the $eil o# her hair& in the s!eett!ilight o# !hose (lac)ness she could see it "er#ectl%& stood a dais% !ith its red ti" o"ened !ideinto a carmine ring& dis"la%ing its heart o# gold on a "latter o# sil$er. 9he did not at #irstrecogni5e it as one o# those cones come a!a)e& (ut a moment4s notice re$ealed !hat it !as. /hothen could ha$e (een so cruel to the lo$el% little creature& as to #orce it o"en li)e that& and s"read

it heart(are to the terri(le deathlam" /hoe$er it !as& it must (e the same that had thro!n herout there to (e (urned to death in its #ire@ 'ut she had her hair& and could hang her head& andma)e a small s!eet night o# her o!n a(out her@ 9he tried to (end the dais% do!n and a!a% #romthe sun& and to ma)e its "etals hang a(out it li)e her hair& (ut she could not. Alas@ it !as (urnedand dead alread%@ 9he did not )no! that it could not %ield to her gentle #orce (ecause it !asdrin)ing li#e& !ith all the eagerness o# li#e& #rom !hat she called the deathlam". h& ho! thelam" (urned her@

'ut she !ent on thin)ingshe did not )no! ho!+ and (% and (% (egan to re#lect that& as there!as no roo# to the room e2ce"t that in !hich the great #ire !ent rolling a(out& the little edti"must ha$e seen the lam" a thousand times& and must )no! it ,uite !ell@ and it had not )illed it@ >a%& thin)ing a(out #arther& she (egan to as) the ,uestion !hether this& in !hich she no! sa! it&might not (e its more "er#ect condition. For not onl% no! did the !hole seem "er#ect& as indeedit did (e#ore& (ut e$er% "art sho!ed its o!n indi$idual "er#ection as !ell& !hich "er#ection madeit ca"a(le o# com(ining !ith the rest into the higher "er#ection o# a !hole. The #lo!er !as alam" itsel#@ The golden heart !as the light& and the sil$er (order !as the ala(aster glo(e&s)il#ull% (ro)en& and s"read !ide to let out the glor%. Bes+ the radiant sha"e !as "lainl% its "er#ection@ I#& then& it !as the lam" !hich had o"ened it into that sha"e& the lam" could not (eun#riendl% to it& (ut must (e o# its o!n )ind& seeing it made it "er#ect@ And again& !hen shethought o# it& there !as clearl% no little resem(lance (et!een them. /hat i# the #lo!er then !asthe little greatgrandchild o# the lam"& and he !as lo$ing it all the time And !hat i# the lam" didnot mean to hurt her& onl% could not hel" it The red li"s loo)ed as i# the #lo!er had some time or other (een hurt: !hat i# the lam" !as ma)ing the (est it could o# hero"ening her out someho!li)e the #lo!er 9he !ould (ear it "atientl%& and see. 'ut ho! coarse the colour o# the grass !as@3erha"s& ho!e$er& her e%es not (eing made #or the (right lam"& she did not see them us the%!ere@ Then she remem(ered ho! di##erent !ere the e%es o# the creature that !as not a girl and!as a#raid o# the dar)ness@ Ah& i# the dar)ness !ould onl% come again& all arms& #riendl% and so#te$er%!here a(out her@ 9he !ould !ait and !ait& and (ear& and (e "atient.



-Ah@ do not !ish that. Do not& #or m% sa)e& hurr% him. I can ta)e care o# %ou #rom the dar)ness& (ut I ha$e no one to ta)e care o# me #rom the light.As I !as telling %ou& I la% d%ing in the sun.All at once I dre! a dee" (reath. A cool !ind came and ran o$er m% #ace. I loo)ed u". Thetorture !as gone& #or the deathlam" itsel# !as gone. I ho"e he does not die and gro! (righter%et. M% terri(le headache !as all gone& and m% sight !as come (ac). I #elt as i# I !ere ne!

made. 'ut I did not get u" at once& #or I !as tired still. The grass gre! cool a(out me& and turnedso#t in colour. 9omething !et came u"on it& and it !as no! so "leasant to m% #eet& that I rose andran a(out. And !hen I had (een running a(out a long time& all at once I #ound %ou l%ing& ?ust as Ihad (een l%ing a little !hile (e#ore. 9o I sat do!n (eside %ou to ta)e care o# %ou& till %our li#eand m% deathshould come again.-

-*o! good %ou are& %ou (eauti#ul creature@/h%& %ou #orga$e me (e#ore e$er I as)ed %ou@-cried 3hotogen.

Thus the% #ell a tal)ing& and he told her !hat he )ne! o# his histor%& and she told him !hat she)ne! o# hers& and the% agreed the% must get a!a% #rom /atho as #ar as e$er the% could.

-And !e must set out at once&- said >%cteris.

-The moment the morning comes&- returned 3hotogen.

-/e must not !ait #or the morning&- said >%cteris& -#or then I shall not (e a(le to mo$e& and!hat !ould %ou do the ne2t night 'esides& /atho sees (est in the da%time. Indeed& %ou mustcome no!& 3hotogen.Bou must.-

-I can not+ I dare not&- said 3hotogen. -I cannot mo$e. I# I (ut li#t m% head #rom %our la"& the$er% sic)ness o# terror sei5es me.-

-I shall (e !ith %ou&- said >%cteris soothingl%. -I !ill ta)e care o# %ou till %our dread#ul suncomes& and then %ou ma% lea$e me& and go a!a% as #ast as %ou can. nl% "lease "ut me in a dar) "lace #irst& i# there is one to (e #ound.-

-I !ill ne$er lea$e %ou again& >%cteris&- cried 3hotogen. -nl% !ait till the sun comes& and (rings me (ac) m% strength& and !e !ill go a!a% together& and ne$er& ne$er "art an% more.-

->o& no&- "ersisted >%cteris+ -!e must go no!. And %ou must learn to (e strong in the dar) as!ell as in the da%& else %ou !ill al!a%s (e onl% hal# (ra$e. I ha$e (egun alread%not to #ight%our sun& (ut to tr% to get at "eace !ith him& and understand !hat he reall% is& and !hat hemeans !ith me!hether to hurt me or to ma)e the (est o# me. Bou must do the same !ith m%dar)ness.-

-'ut %ou don4t )no! !hat mad animals there are a!a% there to!ards the south&- said 3hotogen.-The% ha$e huge green e%es& and the% !ould eat %ou u" li)e a (it o# celer%& %ou (eauti#ulcreature@-



-Come& come@ %ou must&- said >%cteris& -or I shall ha$e to "retend to lea$e %ou& to ma)e %oucome. I ha$e seen the green e%es %ou s"ea) o#& and I !ill ta)e care o# %ou #rom them.-

-Bou@ *o! can %ou do that I# it !ere da% no!& I could ta)e care o# %ou #rom the !orst o# them.'ut as it is& I can4t e$en see them #or this a(omina(le dar)ness. I could not see %our lo$el% e%es

(ut #or the light that is in them+ that lets me see straight into hea$en through them. The% are!indo!s into the $er% hea$en (e%ond the s)%. I (elie$e the% are the $er% "lace !here the starsare made.-

-Bou come then& or I shall shut them&- said >%cteris& -and %ou shan4t see them an% more till %ouare good. Come. I# %ou can4t see the !ild (easts& I can.-

-Bou can@ and %ou as) me to come@- cried 3hotogen.

-Bes&- ans!ered >%cteris. -And more than that& I see them long (e#ore the% can see me& so that Iam a(le to ta)e care o# %ou.-

-'ut ho!- "ersisted 3hotogen. -Bou can4t shoot !ith (o! and arro!& or sta( !ith a hunting)ni#e.-

->o& (ut I can )ee" out o# the !a% o# them all. /h%& ?ust !hen I #ound %ou& I !as ha$ing a game!ith t!o or three o# them at once. I see& and scent them too& long (e#ore the% are near melong (e#ore the% can see or scent me.-

-Bou don4t see or scent an% no!& do %ou- said 3hotogen& uneasil%& rising on his el(o!.-

->onone at "resent. I !ill loo)&- re"lied >%cteris& and s"rang to her #eet.

-h& oh@ do not lea$e menot #or a moment&- cried 3hotogen& straining his e%es to )ee" her #acein sight through the dar)ness.

-'e ,uiet& or the% !ill hear %ou&- she returned. -The !ind is #rom the south& and the% cannotscent us. I ha$e #ound out all a(out that. $er since the dear dar) came& I ha$e (een amusingm%sel# !ith them& getting e$er% no! and then ?ust into the edge o# the !ind& and letting one ha$ea sni## o# me.-

-h& horri(le@- cried 3hotogen. -I ho"e %ou !ill not insist on doing so an% more. /hat !as theconse,uence-

-Al!a%s& the $er% instant& he turned !ith #lashing e%es& and hounded to!ards meonl% he couldnot see me& %ou must remem(er. 'ut m% e%es (eing so much (etter than his& I could see him "er#ectl% !ell& and !ould run a!a% round him until I scented him& and then I )ne! he could not#ind me an%ho!. I# the !ind !ere to turn& and run the other !a% no!& there might (e a !holearm% o# them do!n u"on us& lea$ing no room to )ee" out o# their !a%. Bou had (etter come.-



9he too) him (% the hand. *e %ielded and rose& and she led him a!a%. 'ut his ste"s !ere #ee(le&and as the night !ent on& he seemed more and more read% to sin).

-h dear@ I am so tired@ and so #rightened@- he !ould sa%.

-;ean on me&- >%cteris !ould return& "utting her arm round him& or "atting his chee). -Ta)e a#e! ste"s more. $er% ste" a!a% #rom the castle is clear gain. ;ean harder on me. I am ,uitestrong and !ell no!.-

9o the% !ent on. The "iercing nighte%es o# >%cteris descried not a #e! "airs o# green onesgleaming li)e holes in the dar)ness& and man% a round she made to )ee" #ar out o# their !a%+ (utshe ne$er said to 3hotogen she sa! them. Care#ull% she )e"t him o## the une$en "laces& and onthe so#test and smoothest o# the grass& tal)ing to him gentl% all the !a% as the% !ento# thelo$el% #lo!ers and the starsho! com#orta(le the #lo!ers loo)ed& do!n in their green (eds& andho! ha""% the stars u" in their (lue (eds@

/hen the morning (egan to come& he (egan to gro! (etter& (ut !as dread#ull% tired !ith!al)ing instead o# slee"ing& es"eciall% a#ter (eing so long ill. >%cteris too& !hat !ith su""ortinghim& !hat !ith gro!ing #ear o# the light !hich !as (eginning to oo5e out o# the east& !as $er%tired. At length& (oth e,uall% e2hausted& neither !as a(le to hel" the other. As i# (% consent the%sto""ed. m(racing each the other& the% stood in the midst o# the !ide grass% land& neither o#them a(le to mo$e a ste"& each su""orted onl% (% the leaning !ea)ness o# the other& each read%to #all i# the other should mo$e. 'ut !hile the one gre! !ea)er still& the other had (egun to gro!stronger. /hen the tide o# the night (egan to e((& the tide o# the da% (egan to *o!+ and no! thesun !as rushing to the hori5on& (orne u"on its #oaming (illo!s. And e$er as he came& 3hotogenre$i$ed. At last the sun shot u" into the air& li)e a (ird #rom the hand o# the Father o# ;ights. >%cteris ga$e a cr% o# "ain& and hid her #ace in her hands.

-h me@- she sighed+ -I am 0so0 #rightened@ The terri(le light stings so@-

'ut the same instant& through her (lindness& she heard 3hotogen gi$e a lo! e2ultant laugh& andthe ne2t !it hersel# caught u": she !ho all night long had tended and "rotected him li)e a child&!as no! in his arms& (orne along li)e a (a(%& !ith her head l%ing on his shoulder. 'ut she !asthe greater& #or& su##ering more& she #eared nothing.

C*A3T HIH.

T* //;F.

At the er% moment !hen 3hotogen caught u" >%cteris& the telesco"e o# /atho !as angril%s!ee"ing the ta(leland. 9he s!ung it #rom her in rage& and running to her room& shut hersel# u".There she anointed hersel# #rom to" to toe !ith a certain ointment+ shoo) do!n her long red hair&



and tied it round her !aist+ then (egan to dance& !hirling round and round #aster and #aster&gro!ing angrier and angrier& until she !as #oaming at the mouth !ith #ur%. /hen Falca !entloo)ing #or her& she could not #ind her an%!here.

As the sun rose& the !ind slo!l% changed and !ent round& until it (le! straight #rom the north.

3hotogen and >%cteris !ere dra!ing near the edge o# the #orest& 3hotogen still carr%ing >%cteris&!hen she mo$ed a little on his shoulder uneasil%& and murmured in his ear&

-I smell a !ild (eastthat !a%& the !a% the !ind is coming.-

3hotogen turned& loo)ed (ac) to!ards the castle& and sa! a dar) s"ec) on the "lain. As heloo)ed& it gre! larger: it !as coming across the grass !ith the s"eed o# the !ind. It came nearerand nearer. It loo)ed long and lo!& (ut that might (e (ecause it !as running at a great stretch. *eset >%cteris do!n under a tree& in the (lac) shado! o# its (ole& strung his (o!& and "ic)ed outhis hea$iest& longest& shar"est arro!. ust as he set the notch on the string& he sa! that thecreature !as a tremendous !ol#& rushing straight at him. *e loosened his )ni#e in its sheath& dre!

another arro! hal#!a% #rom the ,ui$er& lest the #irst should #ail& and too) his aimat a gooddistance& to lea$e time #or a second chance. *e shot. The arro! rose& #le! straight& descended&struc) the (east& and started again into the air& dou(led li)e a letter . Euic)l% 3hotogen snatchedthe other& shot& cast his (o! #rom him& and dre! his )ni#e. 'ut the arro! !as in the (rute4s chest&u" to the #eather+ it tum(led heels o$er head !ith a great thud o# its (ac) on the earth& ga$e agroan& made a struggle or t!o& and la% stretched out motionless.

-I4$e )illed it& >%cteris&- cried 3hotogen. -It is a great red !ol#.-

-h& than) %ou@- ans!ered >%cteris #ee(l% #rom (ehind the tree. -I !as sure %ou !ould. I !asnot a (it a#raid.-

3hotogen !ent u" to the !ol#. It 0!as0 a monster@ 'ut he !as $e2ed that his #irst arro! had (eha$ed so (adl%& and !as the less !illing to lose the one that had done him such good ser$ice:!ith a long and a strong "ull& he dre! it #rom the (rute4s chest. Could he (elie$e his e%es Therela%no !ol#& (ut /atho& !ith her hair tied round her !aist@ The #oolish !itch had made hersel#in$ulnera(le& as she su""osed& (ut had #orgotten that& to torment 3hotogen there!ith& she hadhandled one o# his arro!s. *e ran (ac) to >%cteris and told her.

9he shuddered and !e"t& and !ould not loo).

C*A3T HH.

A;; I9 /;;.



There !as no! no occasion to #l% a ste" #arther. >either o# them #eared an% one (ut /atho. The%le#t her there& and !ent (ac). A great cloud came o$er the sun& and rain (egan to #all hea$il%& and >%cteris !as much re#reshed& gre! a(le to see a little& and !ith 3hotogen4s hel" !al)ed gentl%o$er the cool !et grass.

The% had not gone #ar (e#ore the% met Fargu and the other huntsmen. 3hotogen told them he had)illed a great red !ol#& and it !as Madam /atho. The huntsmen loo)ed gra$e& (ut gladnessshone through.

-Then&- said Fargu& -I !ill go and (ur% m% mistress.-

'ut !hen the% reached the "lace& the% #ound she !as alread% (uriedin the ma!s o# sundr% (irds and (easts !hich had made their (rea)#ast o# her.

Then Fargu& o$erta)ing them& !ould& $er% !isel%& ha$e 3hotogen go to the )ing& and tell him the!hole stor%. 'ut 3hotogen& %et !iser than Fargu& !ould not set out until he had married >%cteris+

-#or then&- he said& -the )ing himsel# can4t "art us+ and i# e$er t!o "eo"le couldn4t do the one!ithout the other& those t!o are >%cteris and I. 9he has got to teach me to (e a (ra$e man in thedar)& and I ha$e got to loo) a#ter her until she can (ear the heat o# the sun& and he hel"s her tosee& instead o# (linding her.-

The% !ere married that $er% da%. And the ne2t da% the% !ent together to the )ing& and told himthe !hole stor%. 'ut !hom should the% #ind at the court (ut the #ather and mother o# 3hotogen& (oth in high #a$our !ith the )ing and ,ueen. Aurora nearl% died #or ?o%& and told them all ho!/atho had lied& and made her (elie$e her child !as dead.

>o one )ne! an%thing o# the #ather or mother o# >%cteris+ (ut !hen Aurora& sa! in the lo$el%girl her o!n a5ure e%es shining through night and its clouds& it made her thin) strange things&and !onder ho! e$en the !ic)ed themsel$es ma% (e a lin) to ?oin together the good. Through/atho& the mothers& !ho had ne$er seen each other& had changed e%es in their children.

The )ing ga$e them the castle and lands o# /atho& and there the% li$ed and taught each other #orman% %ears that !ere not long. 'ut hardl% had one o# them "assed& (e#ore >%cteris had come tolo$e the da% (est& (ecause it !as the clothing and cro!n o# 3hotogen& and she sa! that the da%!as greater than the night& and the sun more lordl% than the moon+ and 3hotogen had come tolo$e the night (est& (ecause it !as the mother and home o# >%cteris.

-'ut !ho )no!s&- >%cteris !ould sa% to 3hotogen& -that& !hen !e go out& !e shall not go into ada% as much greater than %our da% as %our da% is greater than m% night-

The ;ight 3rincess

I. /*AT@ > C*I;D>



nce u"on a time& so long ago that I ha$e ,uite #orgotten the date& there li$ed a )ing and ,ueen!ho had no children.

And the )ing said to himsel#& -All the ,ueens o# m% ac,uaintance ha$e children& some three&some se$en& and some as man% as t!el$e+ and m% ,ueen has not one. I #eel illused.- 9o he made

u" his mind to (e cross !ith his !i#e a(out it. 'ut she (ore it all li)e a good "atient ,ueen as she!as. Then the )ing gre! $er% cross indeed. 'ut the ,ueen "retended to ta)e it all as a ?o)e& and a$er% good one too.

-/h% don4t %ou ha$e an% daughters& at least- said he. -I don4t sa% 0sons0+ that might (e toomuch to e2"ect.-

-I am sure& dear )ing& I am $er% sorr%&- said the ,ueen.

-9o %ou ought to (e&- retorted the )ing+ -%ou are not going to ma)e a $irtue o# 0that0& surel%.-

'ut he !as not an illtem"ered )ing& and in an% matter o# less moment !ould ha$e let the ,ueenha$e her o!n !a% !ith all his heart. This& ho!e$er& !as an a##air o# state.

The ,ueen smiled.

-Bou must ha$e "atience !ith a lad%& %ou )no!& dear )ing&- said she.

9he !as& indeed& a $er% nice ,ueen& and heartil% sorr% that she could not o(lige the )ingimmediatel%.

The )ing tried to ha$e "atience& (ut he succeeded $er% (adl%. It !as more than he deser$ed&there#ore& !hen& at last& the ,ueen ga$e him a daughteras lo$el% a little "rincess as e$er cried.

II. />4T I& =9T

The da% dre! near !hen the in#ant must (e christened. The )ing !rote all the in$itations !ith hiso!n hand. # course some(od% !as #orgotten.

>o! it does not generall% matter i# some(od% 0is0 #orgotten& onl% %ou must mind !ho.=n#ortunatel%& the )ing #orgot !ithout intending to #orget+ and so the chance #ell u"on the3rincess Ma)emnoit& !hich !as a!)!ard. For the "rincess !as the )ing4s o!n sister+ and heought not to ha$e #orgotten her. 'ut she had made hersel# so disagreea(le to the old )ing& their#ather& that he had #orgotten her in ma)ing his !ill+ and so it !as no !onder that her (rother#orgot her in !riting his in$itations. 'ut "oor relations don4t do an%thing to )ee" %ou in mind o#them. /h% don4t the% The )ing could not see into the garret she li$ed in& could he

9he !as a sour& s"ite#ul creature. The !rin)les o# contem"t crossed the !rin)les o# "ee$ishness&and made her #ace as #ull o# !rin)les as a "at o# (utter. I# e$er a )ing could (e ?usti#ied in



#orgetting an%(od%& this )ing !as ?usti#ied in #orgetting his sister& e$en at a christening. 9heloo)ed $er% odd& too. *er #orehead !as as large as all the rest o# her #ace& and "ro?ected o$er itli)e a "reci"ice. /hen she !as angr% her little e%es #lashed (lue. /hen she hated an%(od%& the%shone %ello! and green. /hat the% loo)ed li)e !hen she lo$ed an%(od%& I do not )no!+ #or Ine$er heard o# her lo$ing an%(od% (ut hersel#& and I do not thin) she could ha$e managed that i#

she had not someho! got used to hersel#. 'ut !hat made it highl% im"rudent in the )ing to #orgether !asthat she !as a!#ull% cle$er. In #act& she !as a !itch+ and !hen she (e!itched an%(od%&he $er% soon had enough o# it+ #or she (eat all the !ic)ed #airies in !ic)edness& and all the cle$er ones in cle$erness. 9he des"ised all the modes !e read o# in histor%& in !hich o##ended #airiesand !itches ha$e ta)en their re$enges+ and there#ore& a#ter !aiting and !aiting in $ain #or anin$itation& she made u" her mind at last to go !ithout one& and ma)e the !hole #amil% misera(le&li)e a "rincess as she !as.

9o she "ut on her (est go!n& !ent to the "alace& !as )indl% recei$ed (% the ha""% monarch& !ho#orgot that he had #orgotten her& and too) her "lace in the "rocession to the ro%al cha"el. /henthe% !ere all gathered a(out the #ont& she contri$ed to get ne2t to it& and thro! something into

the !ater+ a#ter !hich she maintained a $er% res"ect#ul demeanour till the !ater !as a""lied tothe child4s #ace. 'ut at that moment she turned round in her "lace three times& and muttered the#ollo!ing !ords& loud enough #or those (eside her to hear:

-;ight o# s"irit& (% m% charms& ;ight o# (od%& e$er% "art& >e$er !ear% human arms nl% crush th% "arents4 heart@-

The% all thought she had lost her !its& and !as re"eating some #oolish nurser% rh%me+ (ut ashudder !ent through the !hole o# them not!ithstanding. The (a(%& on the contrar%& (egan tolaugh and cro!+ !hile the nurse ga$e a start and a smothered cr%& #or she thought she !as struc)!ith "aral%sis: she could not #eel the (a(% in her arms. 'ut she clas"ed it tight and said nothing.

The mischie# !as done.

III. 9* CA>4T ' =9

*er atrocious aunt had de"ri$ed the child o# all her gra$it%. I# %ou as) me ho! this !as e##ected&I ans!er& -In the easiest !a% in the !orld. 9he had onl% to destro% gra$itation.- For the "rincess!as a "hiloso"her& and )ne! all the 0ins0 and 0outs0 o# the la!s o# gra$itation as !ell as the 0ins0 and 0outs0 o# her (ootlace. And (eing a !itch as !ell& she could a(rogate those la!s in amoment+ or at least so clog their !heels and rust their (earings& that the% !ould not !or) at all.'ut !e ha$e more to do !ith !hat #ollo!ed than !ith ho! it !as done.

The #irst a!)!ardness that resulted #rom this unha""% "ri$ation !as& that the moment the nurse (egan to #loat the (a(% u" and do!n& she #le! #rom her arms to!ards the ceiling. *a""il%& the



resistance o# the air (rought her ascending career to a close !ithin a #oot o# it. There sheremained& hori5ontal as !hen she le#t her nurse4s arms& )ic)ing and laughing ama5ingl%. Thenurse in terror #le! to the (ell& and (egged the #ootman& !ho ans!ered it& to (ring u" the houseste"s directl%. Trem(ling in e$er% lim(& she clim(ed u"on the ste"s& and had to stand u"on the$er% to"& and reach u"& (e#ore she could catch the #loating tail o# the (a(%4s long clothes.

/hen the strange #act came to (e )no!n& there !as a terri(le commotion in the "alace. Theoccasion o# its disco$er% (% the )ing !as naturall% a re"etition o# the nurse4s e2"erience.Astonished that he #elt no !eight !hen the child !as laid in his arms& he (egan to !a$e her u"andnot do!n& #or she slo!l% ascended to the ceiling as (e#ore& and there remained #loating in "er#ect com#ort and satis#action& as !as testi#ied (% her "eals o# tin% laughter. The )ing stoodstaring u" in s"eechless ama5ement& and trem(led so that his (eard shoo) li)e grass in the !ind.At last& turning to the ,ueen& !ho !as ?ust as horrorstruc) as himsel#& he said& gas"ing& staring&and stammering&

-9he 0can4t0 (e ours& ,ueen@-

>o! the ,ueen !as much cle$erer than the )ing& and had (egun alread% to sus"ect that -thise##ect de#ecti$e came (% cause.-

-I am sure she is ours&- ans!ered she. -'ut !e ought to ha$e ta)en (etter care o# her at thechristening. 3eo"le !ho !ere ne$er in$ited ought not to ha$e (een "resent.-

-h& ho@- said the )ing& ta""ing his #orehead !ith his #ore#inger& -I ha$e it all. I4$e #ound her out.Don4t %ou see it& ,ueen 3rincess Ma)emnoit has (e!itched her.-

-That4s ?ust !hat I sa%&- ans!ered the ,ueen.

-I (eg %our "ardon& m% lo$e+ I did not hear %ou.ohn@ (ring the ste"s I get on m% throne !ith.-

For he !as a little )ing !ith a great throne& li)e man% other )ings.

The throneste"s !ere (rought& and set u"on the diningta(le& and ohn got u"on the to" o# them.'ut he could not reach the little "rincess& !ho la% li)e a (a(%laughtercloud in the air& e2"lodingcontinuousl%.

-Ta)e the tongs& ohn&- said his Ma?est%+ and getting u" on the ta(le& he handed them to him.

ohn could reach the (a(% no!& and the little "rincess !as handed do!n (% the tongs.

I. /* I9 9*

ne #ine summer da%& a month a#ter these her #irst ad$entures& during !hich time she had (een$er% care#ull% !atched& the "rincess !as l%ing on the (ed in the ,ueen4s o!n cham(er& #ast



aslee". ne o# the !indo!s !as o"en& #or it !as noon& and the da% so sultr% that the little girl!as !ra""ed in nothing less ethereal than slum(er itsel#. The ,ueen came into the room& and noto(ser$ing that the (a(% !as on the (ed& o"ened another !indo!. A #rolicsome #air% !ind& !hichhad (een !atching #or a chance o# mischie#& rushed in at the one !indo!& and ta)ing its !a% o$er the (ed !here the child !as l%ing& caught her u"& and rolling and #loating her along li)e a "iece

o# #lue& or a dandelionseed& carried her !ith it through the o""osite !indo!& and a!a%. The,ueen !ent do!nstairs& ,uite ignorant o# the loss she had hersel# occasioned.

/hen the nurse returned& she su""osed that her Ma?est% had carried her o##& and& dreading ascolding& dela%ed ma)ing in,uir% a(out her. 'ut hearing nothing& she gre! uneas%& and !ent atlength to the ,ueen4s (oudoir& !here she #ound her Ma?est%.

-3lease& %our Ma?est%& shall I ta)e the (a(%- said she.

-/here is she- as)ed the ,ueen.

-3lease #orgi$e me. I )no! it !as !rong.-

-/hat do %ou mean- said the ,ueen& loo)ing gra$e.

-h@ don4t #righten me& %our Ma?est%@- e2claimed the nurse& clas"ing her hands.

The ,ueen sa! that something !as amiss& and #ell do!n in a #aint. The nurse rushed a(out the "alace& screaming& -M% (a(%@ m% (a(%@-

$er% one ran to the ,ueen4s room. 'ut the ,ueen could gi$e no orders. The% soon #ound out&ho!e$er& that the "rincess !as missing& and in a moment the "alace !as li)e a (eehi$e in agarden+ and in one minute more the ,ueen !as (rought to hersel# (% a great shout and a cla""ingo# hands. The% had #ound the "rincess #ast aslee" under a rose(ush& to !hich the el$ish little!ind"u## had carried her& #inishing its mischie# (% sha)ing a sho!er o# red roselea$es all o$erthe little !hite slee"er. 9tartled (% the noise the ser$ants made& she !o)e& and& #urious !ith glee&scattered the roselea$es in all directions& li)e a sho!er o# s"ra% in the sunset.

9he !as !atched more care#ull% a#ter this& no dou(t+ %et it !ould (e endless to relate all the oddincidents resulting #rom this "eculiarit% o# the %oung "rincess. 'ut there ne$er !as a (a(% in ahouse& not to sa% a "alace& that )e"t the household in such constant goodhumour& at least (elo!stairs. I# it !as not eas% #or her nurses to hold her& at least she made neither their arms nor theirhearts ache. And she !as so nice to "la% at (all !ith@ There !as "ositi$el% no danger o# lettingher #all. The% might thro! her do!n& or )noc) her do!n& or "ush her do!n& (ut couldn4t 0let0her do!n. It is true& the% might let her #l% into the #ire or the coalhole& or through the !indo!+ (ut none o# these accidents had ha""ened as %et. I# %ou heard "eals o# laughter resounding #romsome un)no!n region& %ou might (e sure enough o# the cause. Going do!n into the )itchen& or 0the room0& %ou !ould #ind ane and Thomas& and o(ert and 9usan& all and sum& "la%ing at (all!ith the little "rincess. 9he !as the (all hersel#& and did not en?o% it the less #or that. A!a% she!ent& #l%ing #rom one to another& screeching !ith laughter. And the ser$ants lo$ed the (all itsel#



(etter e$en than the game. 'ut the% had to ta)e some care ho! the% thre! her& #or i# she recei$edan u"!ard direction& she !ould ne$er come do!n again !ithout (eing #etched.

. /*AT I9 T ' D>

'ut a(o$estairs it !as di##erent. ne da%& #or instance& a#ter (rea)#ast& the )ing !ent into hiscountinghouse& and counted out his mone%.

The o"eration ga$e him no "leasure.

-To thin)&- said he to himsel#& -that e$er% one o# these gold so$ereigns !eighs a ,uarter o# anounce& and m% real& li$e& #leshand(lood "rincess !eighs nothing at all@-

And he hated his gold so$ereigns& as the% la% !ith a (road smile o# sel#satis#action all o$er their

%ello! #aces.

The ,ueen !as in the "arlour& eating (read and hone%. 'ut at the second mouth#ul she (urst outcr%ing& and could not s!allo! it. The )ing heard her so((ing. Glad o# an%(od%& (ut es"eciall% o#his ,ueen& to ,uarrel !ith& he clashed his gold so$ereigns into his mone%(o2& cla""ed his cro!non his head& and rushed into the "arlour.

-/hat is all this a(out- e2claimed he. -/hat are %ou cr%ing #or& ,ueen-

-I can4t eat it&- said the ,ueen& loo)ing rue#ull% at the hone%"ot.

->o !onder@- retorted the )ing. -Bou4$e ?ust eaten %our (rea)#astt!o tur)e% eggs& and threeancho$ies.-

-h& that4s not it@- so((ed her Ma?est%. -It4s m% child& m% child@-

-/ell& !hat4s the matter !ith %our child 9he4s neither u" the chimne% nor do!n the dra!!ell.ust hear her laughing.-

Bet the )ing could not hel" a sigh& !hich he tried to turn into a cough& sa%ing

-It is a good thing to (e lighthearted& I am sure& !hether she (e ours or not.-

-It is a (ad thing to (e lightheaded&- ans!ered the ,ueen& loo)ing !ith "ro"hetic soul #ar intothe #uture.

-4Tis a good thing to (e lighthanded&- said the )ing.

-4Tis a (ad thing to (e light#ingered&- ans!ered the ,ueen.



-4Tis a good thing to (e light#ooted&- said the )ing.

-4Tis a (ad thing- (egan the ,ueen+ (ut the )ing interru"ted her.

-In #act&- said he& !ith the tone o# one !ho concludes an argument in !hich he has had onl%

imaginar% o""onents& and in !hich& there#ore& he has come o## trium"hant-in #act& it is a goodthing altogether to (e light(odied.-

-'ut it is a (ad thing altogether to (e lightminded&- retorted the ,ueen& !ho !as (eginning tolose her tem"er.

This last ans!er ,uite discom#ited his Ma?est%& !ho turned on his heel& and (etoo) himsel# to hiscountinghouse again. 'ut he !as not hal#!a% to!ards it& !hen the $oice o# his ,ueen o$ertoo)him.

-And it4s a (ad thing to (e lighthaired&- screamed she& determined to ha$e more last !ords& no!

that her s"irit !as roused.

The ,ueen4s hair !as (lac) as night+ and the )ing4s had (een& and his daughter4s !as& golden asmorning. 'ut it !as not this re#lection on his hair that arrested him+ it !as the dou(le use o# the!ord 0light0. For the )ing hated all !itticisms& and "unning es"eciall%. And (esides& he couldnot tell !hether the ,ueen meant light0haired0 or light0heired0+ #or !h% might she not as"irateher $o!els !hen she !as e2as"erated hersel#

*e turned u"on his other heel& and re?oined her. 9he loo)ed angr% still& (ecause she )ne! thatshe !as guilt%& or& !hat !as much the same& )ne! that he thought so.

-M% dear ,ueen&- said he& -du"licit% o# an% sort is e2ceedingl% o(?ectiona(le (et!een married "eo"le o# an% ran)& not to sa% )ings and ,ueens+ and the most o(?ectiona(le #orm du"licit% canassume is that o# "unning.-

-There@- said the ,ueen& -I ne$er made a ?est& (ut I (ro)e it in the ma)ing. I am the mostun#ortunate !oman in the !orld@-

9he loo)ed so rue#ul& that the )ing too) her in his arms+ and the% sat do!n to consult.

-Can %ou (ear this- said the )ing.

->o& I can4t&- said the ,ueen.

-/ell& !hat4s to (e done- said the )ing.

-I4m sure I don4t )no!&- said the ,ueen. -'ut might %ou not tr% an a"olog%-

-To m% old sister& I su""ose %ou mean- said the )ing.



A#ter a long a$oidance o# the "ain#ul su(?ect& the )ing and ,ueen resol$ed to hold a council o#three u"on it+ and so the% sent #or the "rincess. In she came& sliding and #litting and gliding #romone "iece o# #urniture to another& and "ut hersel# at last in an armchair& in a sitting "osture./hether she could (e said to 0sit0& seeing she recei$ed no su""ort #rom the seat o# the chair& I donot "retend to determine.

-M% dear child&- said the )ing& -%ou must (e a!are (% this time that %ou are not e2actl% li)eother "eo"le.-

-h& %ou dear #unn% "a"a@ I ha$e got a nose& and t!o e%es& and all the rest. 9o ha$e %ou. 9o hasmamma.-

->o! (e serious& m% dear& #or once&- said the ,ueen.

->o& than) %ou& mamma+ I had rather not.-

-/ould %ou not li)e to (e a(le to !al) li)e other "eo"le- said the )ing. ->o indeed& I shouldthin) not. Bou onl% cra!l. Bou are such slo! coaches@-

-*o! do %ou #eel& m% child- he resumed& a#ter a "ause o# discom#iture.

-Euite !ell& than) %ou.-

-I mean& !hat do %ou #eel li)e-

-;i)e nothing at all& that I )no! o#.-

-Bou must #eel li)e something.-

-I #eel li)e a "rincess !ith such a #unn% "a"a& and such a dear "et o# a ,ueenmamma@-

->o! reall%@- (egan the ,ueen+ (ut the "rincess interru"ted her.

-h %es&- she added& -I remem(er. I ha$e a curious #eeling sometimes& as i# I !ere the onl% "erson that had an% sense in the !hole !orld.-

9he had (een tr%ing to (eha$e hersel# !ith dignit%+ (ut no! she (urst into a $iolent #it o#laughter& thre! hersel# (ac)!ards o$er the chair& and !ent rolling a(out the #loor in an ecstas% o# en?o%ment. The )ing "ic)ed her u" easier than one does a do!n ,uilt& and re"laced her in her#ormer relation to the chair. The e2act "re"osition e2"ressing this relation I do not ha""en to)no!.

-Is there nothing %ou !ish #or- resumed the )ing& !ho had learned (% this time that it !as ,uiteuseless to (e angr% !ith her.

-h& %ou dear "a"a@%es&- ans!ered she.



-/hat is it& m% darling-

-I ha$e (een longing #or itoh& such a time@ $er since last night.-

-Tell me !hat it is.-

-/ill %ou "romise to let me ha$e it-

The )ing !as on the "oint o# sa%ing 0Bes0& (ut the !iser ,ueen chec)ed him !ith a singlemotion o# her head.

-Tell me !hat it is #irst&- said he.

->o no. 3romise #irst.-

-I dare not. /hat is it-

-Mind& I hold %ou to %our "romise.It isto (e tied to the end o# a stringa $er% long stringindeed& and (e #lo!n li)e a )ite. h& such #un@ I !ould rain rose!ater& and hail sugar"lums& andsno! !hi""edcream& andandand-

A #it o# laughing chec)ed her+ and she !ould ha$e (een o## again o$er the #loor& had not the )ingstarted u" and caught her ?ust in time. 9eeing nothing (ut tal) could (e got out o# her& he rang the (ell& and sent her a!a% !ith t!o o# her ladiesin!aiting.

->o!& ,ueen&- he said& turning to her Ma?est%& -!hat 0is0 to (e done-

-There is (ut one thing le#t&- ans!ered she. -;et us consult the college o# Meta"h%sicians.-

-'ra$o@- cried the )ing+ -!e !ill.-

>o! at the head o# this college !ere t!o $er% !ise Chinese "hiloso"hers(% name& *umDrumand <o"%<ec). For them the )ing sent+ and straight!a% the% came. In a long s"eech hecommunicated to them !hat the% )ne! $er% !ell alread%as !ho did notnamel%& the "eculiarcondition o# his daughter in relation to the glo(e on !hich she d!elt+ and re,uested them toconsult together as to !hat might (e the cause and "ro(a(le cure o# her 0in#irmit%0. The )inglaid stress u"on the !ord& (ut #ailed to disco$er his o!n "un. The ,ueen laughed+ (ut *umDrumand <o"%<ec) heard !ith humilit% and retired in silence.

The consultation consisted chie#l% in "ro"ounding and su""orting& #or the thousandth time& eachhis #a$ourite theories. For the condition o# the "rincess a##orded delight#ul sco"e #or thediscussion o# e$er% ,uestion arising #rom the di$ision o# thoughtin #act& o# all the Meta"h%sicso# the Chinese m"ire. 'ut it is onl% ?ustice to sa% that the% did not altogether neglect thediscussion o# the "ractical ,uestion& 0!hat !as to (e done0.



*umDrum !as a Materialist& and <o"%<ec) !as a s"iritualist. The #ormer !as slo! andsententious+ the latter !as ,uic) and #light%: the latter had generall% the #irst !ord+ the #ormer thelast.

-I reassert m% #ormer assertion&- (egan <o"%<ec)& !ith a "lunge. -There is not a #ault in the

"rincess& (od% or soul+ onl% the% are !rong "ut together. ;isten to me no!& *umDrum& and I!ill tell %ou in (rie# !hat I thin). Don4t s"ea). Don4t ans!er me. I 0!on4t0 hear %ou till I ha$edone. At that decisi$e moment& !hen souls see) their a""ointed ha(itations& t!o eager soulsmet& struc)& re(ounded& lost their !a%& and arri$ed each at the !rong "lace. The soul o# the "rincess !as one o# those& and she !ent #ar astra%. 9he does not (elong (% rights to this !orld atall& (ut to some other "lanet& "ro(a(l% Mercur%. *er "rocli$it% to her true s"here destro%s all thenatural in#luence !hich this or( !ould other!ise "ossess o$er her cor"oreal #rame. 9he cares #ornothing here. There is no relation (et!een her and this !orld.

-9he must there#ore (e taught& (% the sternest com"ulsion& to ta)e an interest in the earth as theearth. 9he must stud% e$er% de"artment o# its histor%its animal histor%+ its $egeta(le histor%+ its

mineral histor%+ its social histor%+ its moral histor%+ its "olitical histor%+ its scienti#ic histor%+ itsliterar% histor%+ its musical histor%+ its artistical histor%+ a(o$e all& its meta"h%sical histor%. 9hemust (egin !ith the Chinese d%nast% and end !ith a"an. 'ut #irst o# all she must stud% geolog%&and es"eciall% the histor% o# the e2tinct races o# animalstheir natures& their ha(its& their lo$es&their hates& their re$enges. 9he must-

-*old& hooold@- roared *umDrum. -It is certainl% m% turn no!. M% rooted and insu($erti(lecon$iction is& that the causes o# the anomalies e$ident in the "rincess4s condition are strictl% andsolel% "h%sical. 'ut that is onl% tantamount to ac)no!ledging that the% e2ist. *ear m% o"inion.From some cause or other& o# no im"ortance to our in,uir%& the motion o# her heart has (eenre$ersed. That remar)a(le com(ination o# the suction and the #orce"um" !or)s the !rong!a%I mean in the case o# the "rincess: it dra!s in !here it should #orce out& and #orces out!here it should dra! in. The o##ices o# the auricles and the $entricles are su($erted. The (lood issent #orth (% the $eins& and returns (% the arteries. Conse,uentl% it is running the !rong !a%through all her cor"oreal organismlungs and all. Is it then at all m%sterious& seeing that such isthe case& that on the other "articular o# gra$itation as !ell& she should di##er #rom normalhumanit% M% "ro"osal #or the cure is this:

-3hle(otomi5e until she is reduced to the last "oint o# sa#et%. ;et it (e a##ected& i# necessar%& in a!arm (ath. /hen she is reduced to a state o# "er#ect as"h%2%& a""l% a ligature to the le#t an)le&dra!ing it as tight as the (one !ill (ear. A""l%& at the same moment& another o# e,ual tensionaround the right !rist. '% means o# "lates constructed #or the "ur"ose& "lace the other #oot andhand under the recei$ers o# t!o air"um"s. 2haust the recei$ers. 2hi(it a "int o# French (rand%& and a!ait the result.-

-/hich !ould "resentl% arri$e in the #orm o# grim death&- said <o"%<ec).

-I# it should& she !ould %et die in doing our dut%&- retorted *umDrum.



'ut their Ma?esties had too much tenderness #or their $olatile o##s"ring to su(?ect her to either o#the schemes o# the e,uall% unscru"ulous "hiloso"hers. Indeed& the most com"lete )no!ledge o#the la!s o# nature !ould ha$e (een unser$icea(le in her case+ #or it !as im"ossi(le to classi#%her. 9he !as a #i#th im"ondera(le (od%& sharing all the other "ro"erties o# the "ondera(le.

III. TB A D3 F /AT.

3erha"s the (est thing #or the "rincess !ould ha$e (een to #all in lo$e. 'ut ho! a "rincess !hohad no gra$it% could #all into an%thing is a di##icult%"erha"s 0the0 di##icult%. As #or her o!n#eelings on the su(?ect& she did not e$en )no! that there !as such a (eehi$e o# hone% and stingsto (e #allen into. 'ut no! I come to mention another curious #act a(out her.

The "alace !as (uilt on the shore o# the lo$eliest la)e in the !orld+ and the "rincess lo$ed thisla)e more than #ather or mother. The root o# this "re#erence no dou(t& although the "rincess did

not recogni5e it as such& !as& that the moment she got into it& she reco$ered the natural right o#!hich she had (een so !ic)edl% de"ri$ednamel%& gra$it%. /hether this !as o!ing to the #actthat !ater had (een em"lo%ed as the means o# con$e%ing the in?ur%& I do not )no!. 'ut it iscertain that she could s!im and di$e li)e the duc) that her old nurse said she !as. The manner in!hich this alle$iation o# her mis#ortune !as disco$ered !as as #ollo!s:

ne summer e$ening& during the carni$al o# the countr%& she had (een ta)en u"on the la)e (% the)ing and ,ueen& in the ro%al (arge. The% !ere accom"anied (% man% o# the courtiers in a #leet o#little (oats. In the middle o# the la)e she !anted to get into the lord chancellor4s (arge& #or hisdaughter& !ho !as a great #a$ourite !ith her& !as in it !ith her #ather. >o! though the old )ingrarel% condescended to ma)e light o# his mis#ortune& %et& ha""ening on this occasion to (e in a "articularl% good humour& as the (arges a""roached each other& he caught u" the "rincess tothro! her into the chancellor4s (arge. *e lost his (alance& ho!e$er& and& dro""ing into the (ottomo# the (arge& lost his hold o# his daughter+ not& ho!e$er& (e#ore im"arting to her the do!n!ardtendenc% o# his o!n "erson& though in a some!hat di##erent direction+ #or& as the )ing #ell intothe (oat& she #ell into the !ater. /ith a (urst o# delight#ul laughter she disa""eared in the la)e. Acr% o# horror ascended #rom the (oats. The% had ne$er seen the "rincess go do!n (e#ore. *al#the men !ere under !ater in a moment+ (ut the% had all& one a#ter another& come u" to thesur#ace again #or (reath& !hentin)le& tin)le& (a((le& and gush@ came the "rincess4s laugh o$erthe !ater #rom #ar a!a%. There she !as& s!imming li)e a s!an. >or !ould she come out #or )ingor ,ueen& chancellor or daughter. 9he !as "er#ectl% o(stinate.

'ut at the same time she seemed more sedate than usual. 3erha"s that !as (ecause a great "leasure s"oils laughing. At all e$ents& a#ter this& the "assion o# her li#e !as to get into the !ater&and she !as al!a%s the (etter (eha$ed and the more (eauti#ul the more she had o# it. 9ummerand !inter it !as ,uite the same+ onl% she could not sta% so long in the !ater !hen the% had to (rea) the ice to let her in. An% da%& #rom morning till e$ening in summer& she might (e descrieda strea) o# !hite in the (lue !aterl%ing as still as the shado! o# a cloud& or shooting along li)ea dol"hin+ disa""earing& and coming u" again #ar o##& ?ust !here one did not e2"ect her. 9he!ould ha$e (een in the la)e o# a night& too& i# she could ha$e had her !a%+ #or the (alcon% o# her



!indo! o$erhung a dee" "ool in it+ and through a shallo! reed% "assage she could ha$e s!umout into the !ide !et !ater& and no one !ould ha$e (een an% the !iser. Indeed& !hen sheha""ened to !a)e in the moonlight she could hardl% resist the tem"tation. 'ut there !as the saddi##icult% o# getting into it. 9he had as great a dread o# the air as some children ha$e o# the !ater.For the slightest gust o# !ind !ould (lo! her a!a%+ and a gust might arise in the stillest

moment. And i# she ga$e hersel# a "ush to!ards the !ater and ?ust #ailed o# reaching it& hersituation !ould (e dread#ull% a!)!ard& irres"ecti$e o# the !ind+ #or at (est there she !ould ha$eto remain& sus"ended in her nightgo!n& till she !as seen and angled #or (% someone #rom the!indo!.

-h@ i# I had m% gra$it%&- thought she& contem"lating the !ater& -I !ould #lash o## this (alcon%li)e a long !hite sea(ird& headlong into the darling !etness. *eighho@-

This !as the onl% consideration that made her !ish to (e li)e other "eo"le.

Another reason #or her (eing #ond o# the !ater !as that in it alone she en?o%ed an% #reedom. For

she could not !al) out !ithout a 0cortege0& consisting in "art o# a troo" o# light horse& #or #ear o# the li(erties !hich the !ind might ta)e !ith her. And the )ing gre! more a""rehensi$e !ithincreasing %ears& till at last he !ould not allo! her to !al) a(road at all !ithout some t!ent%sil)en cords #astened to as man% "arts o# her dress& and held (% t!ent% no(lemen. # coursehorse(ac) !as out o# the ,uestion. 'ut she (ade good(%e to all this ceremon% !hen she got intothe !ater.

And so remar)a(le !ere its e##ects u"on her& es"eciall% in restoring her #or the time to theordinar% human gra$it%& that *umDrum and <o"%<ec) agreed in recommending the )ing to (ur% her ali$e #or three %ears+ in the ho"e that& as the !ater did her so much good& the earth!ould do her %et more. 'ut the )ing had some $ulgar "re?udices against the e2"eriment& and!ould not gi$e his consent. Foiled in this& the% %et agreed in another recommendation+ !hich&seeing that the one im"orted his o"inions #rom China and the other #rom Thi(et& !as $er%remar)a(le indeed. The% argued that& i# !ater o# e2ternal origin and a""lication could (e soe##icacious& !ater #rom a dee"er source might !or) a "er#ect cure+ in short& that i# the "oora##licted "rincess could (% an% means (e made to cr%& she might reco$er her lost gra$it%.

'ut ho! !as this to (e (rought a(out Therein la% all the di##icult%to meet !hich the "hiloso"hers !ere not !ise enough. To ma)e the "rincess cr% !as as im"ossi(le as to ma)e her!eigh. The% sent #or a "ro#essional (eggar+ commanded him to "re"are his most touching oracleo# !oe+ hel"ed him& out o# the court charade(o2& to !hate$er he !anted #or dressing u"& and "romised great re!ards in the e$ent o# his success. 'ut it !as all in $ain. 9he listened to themendicant artist4s stor%& and ga5ed at his mar$ellous ma)eu"& till she could contain hersel# nolonger& and !ent into the most undigni#ied contortions #or relie#& shrie)ing& "ositi$el% screeching!ith laughter.

/hen she had a little reco$ered hersel#& she ordered her attendants to dri$e him a!a%& and notgi$e him a single co""er+ !hereu"on his loo) o# morti#ied discom#iture !rought her "unishmentand his re$enge& #or it sent her into $iolent h%sterics& #rom !hich she !as !ith di##icult%reco$ered.



'ut so an2ious !as the )ing that the suggestion should ha$e a #air trial& that he "ut himsel# in arage one da%& and& rushing u" to her room& ga$e her an a!#ul !hi""ing. Bet not a tear !ould#lo!. 9he loo)ed gra$e& and her laughing sounded uncommonl% li)e screamingthat !as all. Thegood old t%rant& though he "ut on his (est gold s"ectacles to loo)& could not disco$er the smallest

cloud in the serene (lue o# her e%es.

IH. 3=T M I> AGAI>.

It must ha$e (een a(out this time that the son o# a )ing& !ho li$ed a thousand miles #rom;ago(el& set out to loo) #or the daughter o# a ,ueen. *e tra$elled #ar and !ide& (ut as sure as he#ound a "rincess& he #ound some #ault in her. # course he could not marr% a mere !oman&ho!e$er (eauti#ul+ and there !as no "rincess to (e #ound !orth% o# him. /hether the "rince !asso near "er#ection that he had a right to demand "er#ection itsel#& I cannot "retend to sa%. All I

)no! is& that he !as a #ine& handsome& (ra$e& generous& !ell(red& and !ell(eha$ed %outh& asall "rinces are.

In his !anderings he had come across some re"orts a(out our "rincess+ (ut as e$er%(od% said she!as (e!itched& he ne$er dreamed that she could (e!itch him. For !hat indeed could a "rince do!ith a "rincess that had lost her gra$it% /ho could tell !hat she might not lose ne2t 9he mightlose her $isi(ilit%& or her tangi(ilit%+ or& in short& the "o!er o# ma)ing im"ressions u"on theradical sensorium+ so that he should ne$er (e a(le to tell !hether she !as dead or ali$e. #course he made no #urther in,uiries a(out her.

ne da% he lost sight o# his retinue in a great #orest. These #orests are $er% use#ul in deli$ering "rinces #rom their courtiers& li)e a sie$e that )ee"s (ac) the (ran. Then the "rinces get a!a% to#ollo! their #ortunes. In this the% ha$e the ad$antage o# the "rincesses& !ho are #orced to marr% (e#ore the% ha$e had a (it o# #un. I !ish our "rincesses got lost in a #orest sometimes.

ne lo$el% e$ening& a#ter !andering a(out #or man% da%s& he #ound that he !as a""roaching theouts)irts o# this #orest+ #or the trees had got so thin that he could see the sunset through them+ andhe soon came u"on a )ind o# heath. >e2t he came u"on signs o# human neigh(ourhood+ (ut (%this time it !as getting late& and there !as no(od% in the #ields to direct him.

A#ter tra$elling #or another hour& his horse& ,uite !orn out !ith long la(our and lac) o# #ood&#ell& and !as una(le to rise again. 9o he continued his ?ourne% on #oot. At length he enteredanother !oodnot a !ild #orest& (ut a ci$ili5ed !ood& through !hich a #oot"ath led him to theside o# a la)e. Along this "ath the "rince "ursued his !a% through the gathering dar)ness.9uddenl% he "aused& and listened. 9trange sounds came across the !ater. It !as& in #act& the "rincess laughing. >o! there !as something odd in her laugh& as I ha$e alread% hinted& #or thehatching o# a real heart% laugh re,uires the incu(ation o# gra$it%+ and "erha"s this !as ho! the "rince mistoo) the laughter #or screaming. ;oo)ing o$er the la)e& he sa! something !hite in the!ater+ and& in an instant& he had torn o## his tunic& )ic)ed o## his sandals& and "lunged in. *esoon reached the !hite o(?ect& and #ound that it !as a !oman. There !as not light enough to



sho! that she !as a "rincess& (ut ,uite enough to sho! that she !as a lad%& #or it does not !antmuch light to see that.

>o! I cannot tell ho! it came a(out&!hether she "retended to (e dro!ning& or !hether he#rightened her& or caught her so as to em(arrass her&(ut certainl% he (rought her to shore in a

#ashion ignominious to a s!immer& and more nearl% dro!ned than she had e$er e2"ected to (e+#or the !ater had got into her throat as o#ten as she had tried to s"ea).

At the "lace to !hich he (ore her& the (an) !as onl% a #oot or t!o a(o$e the !ater& so he ga$eher a strong li#t out o# the !ater& to la% her on the (an). 'ut& her gra$itation ceasing the momentshe le#t the !ater& a!a% she !ent u" into the air& scolding and screaming.

-Bou naught%& 0naught%0& >A=G*TB& >A=G*TB man@- she cried.

>o one had e$er succeeded in "utting her into a "assion (e#ore./hen the "rince sa! herascend& he thought he must ha$e (een (e!itched& and ha$e mista)en a great s!an #or a lad%. 'ut

the "rincess caught hold o# the to"most cone u"on a lo#t% #ir. This came o##+ (ut she caught atanother& and& in #act& sto""ed hersel# (% gathering cones& dro""ing them as the stoc)s ga$e !a%.The "rince& meantime& stood in the !ater& staring& and #orgetting to get out. 'ut the "rincessdisa""earing& he scram(led on shore& and !ent in the direction o# the tree. There he #ound herclim(ing do!n one o# the (ranches to!ards the stem. 'ut in the dar)ness o# the !ood& the "rincecontinued in some (e!ilderment as to !hat the "henomenon could (e+ until& reaching theground& and seeing him standing there& she caught hold o# him& and said&

-I4ll tell "a"a.-

-h no& %ou !on4t@- returned the "rince.

-Bes& I !ill&- she "ersisted. -/hat (usiness had %ou to "ull me do!n out o# the !ater& and thro!me to the (ottom o# the air I ne$er did %ou an% harm.-

-3ardon me. I did not mean to hurt %ou.-

-I don4t (elie$e %ou ha$e an% (rains+ and that is a !orse loss that %our !retched gra$it%. I "it%%ou.-

The "rince no! sa! that he had come u"on the (e!itched "rincess& and had alread% o##endedher. 'ut (e#ore he could thin) !hat to sa% ne2t& she (urst out angril%& gi$ing a stam" !ith her#oot that !ould ha$e sent her alo#t again (ut #or the hold she had o# his arm&

-3ut me u" directl%.-

-3ut %ou u" !here& %ou (eaut%- as)ed the "rince.

*e had #allen in lo$e !ith her almost& alread%+ #or her anger made her more charming than an%one else had e$er (eheld her+ and& as #ar as he could see& !hich certainl% !as not #ar& she had not



a single #ault a(out her& e2ce"t& o# course& that she had not an% gra$it%. >o "rince& ho!e$er&!ould ?udge o# a "rincess (% !eight. The lo$eliness o# her #oot he !ould hardl% estimate (% thede"th o# the im"ression it could ma)e in the mud.

-3ut %ou u" !here& %ou (eaut%- as)ed the "rince.

-In the !ater& %ou stu"id@- ans!ered the "rincess.

-Come& then&- said the "rince.

The condition o# her dress& increasing her usual di##icult% in !al)ing& com"elled her to cling tohim+ and he could hardl% "ersuade himsel# that he !as not in a delight#ul dream& not!ithstandingthe torrent o# musical a(use !ith !hich she o$er!helmed him. The "rince (eing there#ore in nohurr%& the% came u"on the la)e at ,uite another "art& !here the (an) !as t!ent%#i$e #eet high atleast+ and !hen the% had reached the edge& he turned to!ards the "rincess& and said&

-*o! am I to "ut %ou in-

-That is %our (usiness&- she ans!ered& ,uite sna""ishl%. -Bou too) me out"ut me in again.-

-er% !ell&- said the "rince+ and& catching her u" in his arms& he s"rang !ith her #rom the roc).The "rincess had ?ust time to gi$e one delighted shrie) o# laughter (e#ore the !ater closed o$erthem. /hen the% came to the sur#ace& she #ound that& #or a moment or t!o& she could not e$enlaugh& #or she had gone do!n !ith such a rush& that it !as !ith di##icult% she reco$ered her (reath. The instant the% reached the sur#ace

-*o! do %ou li)e #alling in- said the "rince.

A#ter some e##ort the "rincess "anted out&

-Is that !hat %ou call 0#alling in0-

-Bes&- ans!ered the "rince& -I should thin) it a $er% tolera(le s"ecimen.-

-It seemed to me li)e going u"&- re?oined she.

-M% #eeling !as certainl% one o# ele$ation too&- the "rince conceded.

The "rincess did not a""ear to understand him& #or she retorted his ,uestion:

-*o! do 0%ou0 li)e #alling in- said the "rincess.

-'e%ond e$er%thing&- ans!ered he+ -#or I ha$e #allen in !ith the onl% "er#ect creature I e$ersa!.-

->o more o# that: I am tired o# it&- said the "rincess.



3erha"s she shared her #ather4s a$ersion to "unning.

-Don4t %ou li)e #alling in& then- said the "rince.

-It is the most delight#ul #un I e$er had in m% li#e&- ans!ered she. -I ne$er #ell (e#ore. I !ish Icould learn. To thin) I am the onl% "erson in m% #ather4s )ingdom that can4t #all@-

*ere the "oor "rincess loo)ed almost sad.

-I shall (e most ha""% to #all in !ith %ou an% time %ou li)e&- said the "rince& de$otedl%.

-Than) %ou. I don4t )no!. 3erha"s it !ould not (e "ro"er. 'ut I don4t care. At all e$ents& as !eha$e #allen in& let us ha$e a s!im together.-

-/ith all m% heart&- res"onded the "rince.

And a!a% the% !ent& s!imming& and di$ing& and #loating& until at last the% heard cries along theshore& and sa! lights glancing in all directions. It !as no! ,uite late& and there !as no moon.

-I must go home&- said the "rincess. -I am $er% sorr%& #or this is delight#ul.-

-9o am I&- returned the "rince. -'ut I am glad I ha$en4t a home to go toat least& I don4t e2actl%)no! !here it is.-

-I !ish I hadn4t one either&- re?oined the "rincess+ -it is so stu"id@ I ha$e a great mind&- shecontinued& -to "la% them all a tric). /h% couldn4t the% lea$e me alone The% !on4t trust me inthe la)e #or a single night@Bou see !here that green light is (urning That is the !indo! o# m%room. >o! i# %ou !ould ?ust s!im there !ith me $er% ,uietl%& and !hen !e are all (ut under the (alcon%& gi$e me such a "ush0u"0 %ou call itas %ou did a little !hile ago& I should (e a(le tocatch hold o# the (alcon%& and get in at the !indo!+ and then the% ma% loo) #or me till tomorro! morning@-

-/ith more o(edience than "leasure&- said the "rince& gallantl%+ and a!a% the% s!am& $er%gentl%.

-/ill %ou (e in the la)e tomorro! night- the "rince $entured to as).

-To (e sure I !ill. I don4t thin) so. 3erha"s&- !as the "rincess4s some!hat strange ans!er.

'ut the "rince !as intelligent enough not to "ress her #urther+ and merel% !his"ered& as he ga$eher the "arting li#t& -Don4t tell.- The onl% ans!er the "rincess returned !as a roguish loo). 9he!as alread% a %ard a(o$e his head. The loo) seemed to sa%& ->e$er #ear. It is too good #un tos"oil that !a%.-



9o "er#ectl% li)e other "eo"le had she (een in the !ater& that e$en %et the "rince could scarcel% (elie$e his e%es !hen he sa! her ascend slo!l%& gras" the (alcon%& and disa""ear through the!indo!. *e turned& almost e2"ecting to see her still (% his side. 'ut he !as alone in the !ater.9o he s!am a!a% ,uietl%& and !atched the lights ro$ing a(out the shore #or hours a#ter the "rincess !as sa#e in her cham(er. As soon as the% disa""eared& he landed in search o# his tunic

and s!ord& and& a#ter some trou(le& #ound them again. Then he made the (est o# his !a% roundthe la)e to the other side. There the !ood !as !ilder& and the shore stee"errising moreimmediatel% to!ards the mountains !hich surrounded the la)e on all sides& and )e"t sending itmessages o# sil$er% streams #rom morning to night& and all night long. *e soon #ound a s"ot!hence he could see the green light in the "rincess4s room& and !here& e$en in the (roadda%light& he !ould (e in no danger o# (eing disco$ered #rom the o""osite shore. It !as a sort o#ca$e in the roc)& !here he "ro$ided himsel# a (ed o# !ithered lea$es& and la% do!n too tired #orhunger to )ee" him a!a)e. All night long he dreamed that he !as s!imming !ith the "rincess.

H. ;< AT T* M>.

arl% the ne2t morning the "rince set out to loo) #or something to eat& !hich he soon #ound at a#orester4s hut& !here #or man% #ollo!ing da%s he !as su""lied !ith all that a (ra$e "rince couldconsider necessar%. And ha$ing "lent% to )ee" him ali$e #or the "resent& he !ould not thin) o#!ants not %et in e2istence. /hene$er Care intruded& this "rince al!a%s (o!ed him out in themost "rincel% manner.

/hen he returned #rom his (rea)#ast to his !atchca$e& he sa! the "rincess alread% #loatinga(out in the la)e& attended (% the )ing or ,ueen!hom he )ne! (% their cro!nsand a greatcom"an% in lo$el% little (oats& !ith cano"ies o# all the colours o# the rain(o!& and #lags andstreamers o# a great man% more. It !as a $er% (right da%& and soon the "rince& (urned u" !ith theheat& (egan to long #or the cold !ater and the cool "rincess. 'ut he had to endure till t!ilight+ #or the (oats had "ro$isions on (oard& and it !as not till the sun !ent do!n that the ga% "art% (eganto $anish. 'oat a#ter (oat dre! a!a% to the shore& #ollo!ing that o# the )ing and ,ueen& till onl%one& a""arentl% the "rincess4s o!n (oat& remained. 'ut she did not !ant to go home e$en %et& andthe "rince thought he sa! her order the (oat to the shore !ithout her. At all e$ents& it ro!eda!a%+ and no!& o# all the radiant com"an%& onl% one !hite s"ec) remained. Then the "rince (egan to sing.

And this is !hat he sang:

-;ad% #air& 9!an!hite& ;i#t thine e%es 'anish night '% the might # thine e%es.

9no!% arms&



ars o# sno!& ar her hither& 3lashing lo!. 9o#t and slo!& ar her hither.

9tream (ehind her 4er the la)e& adiant !hiteness@ In her !a)e Follo!ing& #ollo!ing #or her sa)e& adiant !hiteness@

Cling a(out her& /aters (lue+ 3art not #rom her&

'ut rene! Cold and true <isses round her.

;a" me round& /aters sad That ha$e le#t her+ Ma)e me glad& For %e had <issed her ere %e le#t her.-

'e#ore he had #inished his song& the "rincess !as ?ust under the "lace !here he sat& and loo)ingu" to #ind him. *er ears had led her trul%.

-/ould %ou li)e a #all& "rincess- said the "rince& loo)ing do!n.

-Ah@ there %ou are@ Bes& i# %ou "lease& "rince&- said the "rincess& loo)ing u".

-*o! do %ou )no! I am a "rince& "rincess- said the "rince.

-'ecause %ou are a $er% nice %oung man& "rince&- said the "rincess.

-Come u" then& "rincess.-

-Fetch me& "rince.-

The "rince too) o## his scar#& then his s!ord(elt& then his tunic& and tied them all together& andlet them do!n. 'ut the line !as #ar too short. *e un!ound his tur(an& and added it to the rest&!hen it !as all (ut long enough+ and his "urse com"leted it. The "rincess ?ust managed to la%



hold o# the )not o# mone%& and !as (eside him in a moment. This roc) !as much higher than theother& and the s"lash and the di$e !ere tremendous. The "rincess !as in ecstasies o# delight& andtheir s!im !as delicious.

>ight a#ter night the% met& and s!am a(out in the dar) clear la)e+ !here such !as the "rince4s

gladness& that !hether the "rincess4s !a% o# loo)ing at things in#ected him& or he !as actuall%getting lightheaded he o#ten #ancied that he !as s!imming in the s)% instead o# the la)e. 'ut!hen he tal)ed a(out (eing in hea$en& the "rincess laughed at him dread#ull%.

/hen the moon came& she (rought them #resh "leasure. $er%thing loo)ed strange and ne! inher light& !ith an old& !ithered& %et un#ading ne!ness. /hen the moon !as nearl% #ull& one o#their great delights !as& to di$e dee" in the !ater& and then& turning round& loo) u" through it atthe great (lot o# light close a(o$e them& shimmering and trem(ling and !a$ering& s"reading andcontracting& seeming to melt a!a%& and again gro! solid. Then the% !ould shoot u" through the (lot+ and lo@ there !as the moon& #ar o##& clear and stead% and cold& and $er% lo$el%& at the (ottomo# a dee"er and (luer la)e than theirs& as the "rincess said.

The "rince soon #ound out that !hile in the !ater the "rincess !as $er% li)e other "eo"le. And (esides this& she !as not so #or!ard in her ,uestions or "ert in her re"lies at sea as on shore. >either did she laugh so much+ and !hen she did laugh& it !as more gentl%. 9he seemedaltogether more modest and maidenl% in the !ater than out o# it. 'ut !hen the "rince& !ho hadreall% #allen in lo$e !hen he #ell in the la)e& (egan to tal) to her a(out lo$e& she al!a%s turnedher head to!ards him and laughed. A#ter a !hile she (egan to loo) "u55led& as i# she !ere tr%ingto understand !hat he meant& (ut could notre$ealing a notion that he meant something. 'ut assoon as e$er she le#t the la)e& she !as so altered& that the "rince said to himsel#& -I# I marr% her& Isee no hel" #or it: !e must turn merman and mermaid& and go out to sea at once.-

HI. *I99@

The "rincess4s "leasure in the la)e had gro!n to a "assion& and she could scarcel% (ear to (e outo# it #or an hour. Imagine then her consternation& !hen& di$ing !ith the "rince one night& asudden sus"icion sei5ed her that the la)e !as not so dee" as it used to (e. The "rince could notimagine !hat had ha""ened. 9he shot to the sur#ace& and& !ithout a !ord& s!am at #ull s"eedto!ards the higher side o# the la)e. *e #ollo!ed& (egging to )no! i# she !as ill& or !hat !as thematter. 9he ne$er turned her head& or too) the smallest notice o# his ,uestion. Arri$ed at theshore& she coasted the roc)s !ith minute ins"ection. 'ut she !as not a(le to come to aconclusion& #or the moon !as $er% small& and so she could not see !ell. 9he turned there#ore ands!am home& !ithout sa%ing a !ord to e2"lain her conduct to the "rince& o# !hose "resence sheseemed no longer conscious. *e !ithdre! to his ca$e& in great "er"le2it% and distress.

>e2t da% she made man% o(ser$ations& !hich& alas@ strengthened her #ears. 9he sa! that the (an)s !ere too dr%+ and that the grass on the shore& and the trailing "lants on the roc)s& !ere!ithering a!a%. 9he caused mar)s to (e made along the (orders& and e2amined them& da% a#ter



da%& in all directions o# the !ind+ till at last the horri(le idea (ecame a certain #actthat thesur#ace o# the la)e !as slo!l% sin)ing.

The "oor "rincess nearl% !ent out o# the little mind she had. It !as a!#ul to her to see the la)e&!hich she lo$ed more than an% li$ing thing& lie d%ing (e#ore her e%es. It san) a!a%& slo!l%

$anishing. The to"s o# roc)s that had ne$er (een seen till no!& (egan to a""ear #ar do!n in theclear !ater. 'e#ore long the% !ere dr% in the sun. It !as #ear#ul to thin) o# the mud that !ouldsoon lie there (a)ing and #estering& #ull o# lo$el% creatures d%ing& and ugl% creatures coming toli#e& li)e the unma)ing o# a !orld. And ho! hot the sun !ould (e !ithout an% la)e@ 9he couldnot (ear to s!im in it an% more& and (egan to "ine a!a%. *er li#e seemed (ound u" !ith it+ ande$er as the la)e san)& she "ined. 3eo"le said she !ould not li$e an hour a#ter the la)e !as gone.

'ut she ne$er cried.

3roclamation !as made to all the )ingdom& that !hosoe$er should disco$er the cause o# thela)e4s decrease& !ould (e re!arded a#ter a "rincel% #ashion. *umDrum and <o"%<ec) a""lied

themsel$es to their "h%sics and meta"h%sics+ (ut in $ain. >ot e$en the% could suggest a cause.

>o! the #act !as that the old "rincess !as at the root o# the mischie#. /hen she heard that herniece #ound more "leasure in the !ater than an%one else out o# it& she !ent into a rage& andcursed hersel# #or her !ant o# #oresight.

-'ut&- said she& -I !ill soon set all right. The )ing and the "eo"le shall die o# thirst+ their (rainsshall (oil and #ri55le in their s)ulls (e#ore I !ill lose m% re$enge.-

And she laughed a #erocious laugh& that made the hairs on the (ac) o# her (lac) cat stand erect!ith terror.

Then she !ent to an old chest in the room& and o"ening it& too) out !hat loo)ed li)e a "iece o#dried sea!eed. This she thre! into a tu( o# !ater. Then she thre! some "o!der into the !ater&and stirred it !ith her (are arm& muttering o$er it !ords o# hideous sound& and %et more hideousim"ort. Then she set the tu( aside& and too) #rom the chest a huge (unch o# a hundred rust% )e%s&that clattered in her sha)ing hands. Then she sat do!n and "roceeded to oil them all. 'e#ore shehad #inished& out #rom the tu(& the !ater o# !hich had )e"t on a slo! motion e$er since she hadceased stirring it& came the head and hal# the (od% o# a huge gra% sna)e. 'ut the !itch did notloo) round. It gre! out o# the tu(& !a$ing itsel# (ac)!ards and #or!ards !ith a slo! hori5ontalmotion& till it reached the "rincess& !hen it laid its head u"on her shoulder& and ga$e a lo! hiss inher ear. 9he started(ut !ith ?o%+ and seeing the head resting on her shoulder& dre! it to!ardsher and )issed it. Then she dre! it all out o# the tu(& and !ound it round her (od%. It !as one o#those dread#ul creatures !hich #e! ha$e e$er (eheldthe /hite 9na)es o# Dar)ness.

Then she too) the )e%s and !ent do!n to her cellar+ and as she unloc)ed the door she said tohersel#&

-This 0is0 !orth li$ing #or@-



;oc)ing the door (ehind her& she descended a #e! ste"s into the cellar& and crossing it& unloc)edanother door into a dar)& narro! "assage. 9he loc)ed this also (ehind her& and descended a #e!more ste"s. I# an%one had #ollo!ed the !itch"rincess& he !ould ha$e heard her unloc) e2actl%one hundred doors& and descend a #e! ste"s a#ter unloc)ing each. /hen she had unloc)ed thelast& she entered a $ast ca$e& the roo# o# !hich !as su""orted (% huge natural "illars o# roc).

>o! this roo# !as the under side o# the (ottom o# the la)e.

9he then unt!ined the sna)e #rom her (od%& and held it (% the tail high a(o$e her. The hideouscreature stretched u" its head to!ards the roo# o# the ca$ern& !hich it !as ?ust a(le to reach. Itthen (egan to mo$e its head (ac)!ards and #or!ards& !ith a slo! oscillating motion& as i#loo)ing #or something. At the same moment the !itch (egan to !al) round and round the ca$ern&coming nearer to the centre e$er% circuit+ !hile the head o# the sna)e descri(ed the same "atho$er the roo# that she did o$er the #loor& #or she )e"t holding it u". And still it )e"t slo!l%oscillating. ound and round the ca$ern the% !ent& e$er lessening the circuit& till at last the sna)emade a sudden dart& and clung to the roo# !ith its mouth.

-That4s right& m% (eaut%@- cried the "rincess+ -drain it dr%.-

9he let it go& le#t it hanging& and sat do!n on a great stone& !ith her (lac) cat& !hich had#ollo!ed her all round the ca$e& (% her side. Then she (egan to )nit and mutter a!#ul !ords. Thesna)e hung li)e a huge leech& suc)ing at the stone+ the cat stood !ith his (ac) arched& and his tailli)e a "iece o# ca(le& loo)ing u" at the sna)e+ and the old !oman sat and )nitted and muttered.9e$en da%s and se$en nights the% remained thus+ !hen suddenl% the ser"ent dro""ed #rom theroo# as i# e2hausted& and shri$elled u" till it !as again li)e a "iece o# dried sea!eed. The !itchstarted to her #eet& "ic)ed it u"& "ut it in her "oc)et& and loo)ed u" at the roo#. ne dro" o# !ater!as trem(ling on the s"ot !here the sna)e had (een suc)ing. As soon as she sa! that& she turnedand #led& #ollo!ed (% her cat. 9hutting the door in a terri(le hurr%& she loc)ed it& and ha$ingmuttered some #right#ul !ords& s"ed to the ne2t& !hich also she loc)ed and muttered o$er+ and so!ith all the hundred doors& till she arri$ed in her o!n cellar. There she sat do!n on the #loorread% to #aint& (ut listening !ith malicious delight to the rushing o# the !ater& !hich she couldhear distinctl% through all the hundred doors.

'ut this !as not enough. >o! that she had tasted re$enge& she lost her "atience. /ithout #urthermeasures& the la)e !ould (e too long in disa""earing. 9o the ne2t night& !ith the last shred o# thed%ing old moon rising& she too) some o# the !ater in !hich she had re$i$ed the sna)e& "ut it in a (ottle& and set out& accom"anied (% her cat. 'e#ore morning she had made the entire circuit o# thela)e& muttering #ear#ul !ords as she crossed e$er% stream& and casting into it some o# the !aterout o# her (ottle. /hen she had #inished the circuit she muttered %et again& and #lung a hand#ul o# !ater to!ards the moon. Thereu"on e$er% s"ring in the countr% ceased to thro( and (u((le&d%ing a!a% li)e the "ulse o# a d%ing man. The ne2t da% there !as no sound o# #alling !ater to (eheard along the (orders o# the la)e. The $er% courses !ere dr%+ and the mountains sho!ed nosil$er% strea)s do!n their dar) sides. And not alone had the #ountains o# mother arth ceased to#lo!+ #or all the (a(ies throughout the countr% !ere cr%ing dread#ull%onl% !ithout tears.



HII. /* I9 T* 3I>C

>e$er since the night !hen the "rincess le#t him so a(ru"tl% had the "rince had a singleinter$ie! !ith her. *e had seen her once or t!ice in the la)e+ (ut as #ar as he could disco$er& shehad not (een in it an% more at night. *e had sat and sung& and loo)ed in $ain #or his >ereid+

!hile she& li)e a true >ereid& !as !asting a!a% !ith her la)e& sin)ing as it san)& !ithering as itdried. /hen at length he disco$ered the change that !as ta)ing "lace in the le$el o# the !ater& he!as in great alarm and "er"le2it%. *e could not tell !hether the la)e !as d%ing (ecause the lad%had #orsa)en it+ or !hether the lad% !ould not come (ecause the la)e had (egun to sin). 'ut heresol$ed to )no! so much at least.

*e disguised himsel#& and& going to the "alace& re,uested to see the lord cham(erlain. *isa""earance at once gained his re,uest+ and the lord cham(erlain& (eing a man o# some insight& "ercei$ed that there !as more in the "rince4s solicitation than met the ear. *e #elt li)e!ise that noone could tell !hence a solution o# the "resent di##iculties might arise. 9o he granted the "rince4s "ra%er to (e made shoe(lac) to the "rincess. It !as rather cunning in the "rince to re,uest such

an eas% "ost& #or the "rincess could not "ossi(l% soil as man% shoes as other "rincesses. *e soonlearned all that could (e learned a(out the "rincess. *e !ent nearl% distracted+ (ut a#ter roaminga(out the la)e #or da%s& and di$ing in e$er% de"th that remained& all that he could do !as to "utan e2tra "olish on the daint% "air o# (oots that !as ne$er called #or.

For the "rincess )e"t her room& !ith the curtains dra!n to shut out the d%ing la)e. 'ut she couldnot shut it out o# her mind #or a moment. It haunted her imagination so that she #elt as i# the la)e!ere her soul& dr%ing u" !ithin her& #irst to mud& then to madness and death. 9he thus (roodedo$er the change& !ith all its dread#ul accom"animents& till she !as nearl% distracted. As #or the "rince& she had #orgotten him. *o!e$er much she had en?o%ed his com"an% in the !ater& she didnot care #or him !ithout it. 'ut she seemed to ha$e #orgotten her #ather and mother too. The la)e!ent on sin)ing. 9mall slim% s"ots (egan to a""ear& !hich glittered steadil% amidst thechange#ul shine o# the !ater. These gre! to (road "atches o# mud& !hich !idened and s"read&!ith roc)s here and there& and #loundering #ishes and cra!ling eels s!arming. The "eo"le !ente$er%!here catching these& and loo)ing #or an%thing that might ha$e dro""ed #rom the ro%al (oats.

At length the la)e !as all (ut gone& onl% a #e! o# the dee"est "ools remaining une2hausted.

It ha""ened one da% that a "art% o# %oungsters #ound themsel$es on the (rin) o# one o# these "ools in the $er% centre o# the la)e. It !as a roc)% (asin o# considera(le de"th. ;oo)ing in& the%sa! at the (ottom something that shone %ello! in the sun. A little (o% ?um"ed in and di$ed #or it.It !as a "late o# gold co$ered !ith !riting. The% carried it to the )ing.

n one side o# it stood these !ords:

-Death alone #rom death can sa$e. ;o$e is death& and so is (ra$e. ;o$e can #ill the dee"est gra$e. ;o$e lo$es on (eneath the !a$e.-



>o! this !as enigmatical enough to the )ing and courtiers. 'ut the re$erse o# the "late e2"lainedit a little. Its !riting amounted to this:

-I# the la)e should disa""ear& the% must #ind the hole through !hich the !ater ran. 'ut it !ould (e useless to tr% to sto" it (% an% ordinar% means. There !as (ut one e##ectual mode.The (od%o# a li$ing man could alone stanch the #lo!. The man must gi$e himsel# o# his o!n !ill+ and thela)e must ta)e his li#e as it #illed. ther!ise the o##ering !ould (e o# no a$ail. I# the nation couldnot "ro$ide one hero& it !as time it should "erish.-

HIII. * I AM.

This !as a $er% disheartening re$elation to the )ingnot that he !as un!illing to sacri#ice a

su(?ect& (ut that he !as ho"eless o# #inding a man !illing to sacri#ice himsel#. >o time !as to (elost& ho!e$er& #or the "rincess !as l%ing motionless on her (ed& and ta)ing no nourishment (utla)e!ater& !hich !as no! none o# the (est. There#ore the )ing caused the contents o# the!onder#ul "late o# gold to (e "u(lished throughout the countr%.

>o one& ho!e$er& came #or!ard.

The "rince& ha$ing gone se$eral da%s4 ?ourne% into the #orest& to consult a hermit !hom he hadmet there on his !a% to ;ago(el& )ne! nothing o# the oracle till his return.

/hen he had ac,uainted himsel# !ith all the "articulars& he sat do!n and thought&

-9he !ill die i# I don4t do it& and li#e !ould (e nothing to me !ithout her+ so I shall lose nothing (% doing it. And li#e !ill (e as "leasant to her as e$er& #or she !ill soon #orget me. And there !ill (e so much more (eaut% and ha""iness in the !orld@To (e sure& I shall not see it.- *ere the "oor "rince ga$e a sigh. -*o! lo$el% the la)e !ill (e in the moonlight& !ith that gloriouscreature s"orting in it li)e a !ild goddess@It is rather hard to (e dro!ned (% inches& though. ;etme seethat !ill (e se$ent% inches o# me to dro!n.- *ere he tried to laugh& (ut could not. -Thelonger the (etter& ho!e$er&- he resumed& -#or can I not (argain that the "rincess shall (e (esideme all the time 9o I shall see her once more& )iss her& "erha"s&!ho )no!s and die loo)ing inher e%es. It !ill (e no death. At least& I shall not #eel it. And to see the la)e #illing #or the (eaut%again@All right@ I am read%.-

*e )issed the "rincess4s (oot& laid it do!n& and hurried to the )ing4s a"artment. 'ut #eeling& as he!ent& that an%thing sentimental !ould (e disagreea(le& he resol$ed to carr% o## the !hole a##air!ith nonchalance. 9o he )noc)ed at the door o# the )ing4s countinghouse& !here it !as all (ut aca"ital crime to distur( him.



/hen the )ing heard the )noc) he started u"& and o"ened the door in a rage. 9eeing onl% theshoe(lac)& he dre! his s!ord. This& I am sorr% to sa%& !as his usual mode o# asserting hisregalit%& !hen he thought his dignit% !as in danger. 'ut the "rince !as not in the least alarmed.

-3lease %our ma?est%& I4m %our (utler&- said he.

-M% (utler@ %ou l%ing rascal /hat do %ou mean-

-I mean& I !ill cor) %our (ig (ottle.-

-Is the #ello! mad- (a!led the )ing& raising the "oint o# his s!ord.

-I !ill "ut a sto""er"lug!hat %ou call it& in %our lea)% la)e& grand monarch&- said the "rince.

The )ing !as in such a rage that (e#ore he could s"ea) he had time to cool& and to re#lect that it!ould (e great !aste to )ill the onl% man !ho !as !illing to (e use#ul in the "resent emergenc%&

seeing that in the end the insolent #ello! !ould (e as dead as i# he had died (% his ma?est%4s o!nhand. -h@- said he at last& "utting u" his s!ord !ith di##icult%& it !as so long+ -I am o(liged to%ou& %ou %oung #ool@ Ta)e a glass o# !ine-

->o& than) %ou&- re"lied the "rince.

-er% !ell&- said the )ing. -/ould %ou li)e to run and see %our "arents (e#ore %ou ma)e %oure2"eriment-

->o& than) %ou&- said the "rince.

-Then !e !ill go and loo) #or the hole at once&- said his ma?est%& and "roceeded to call someattendants.

-9to"& "lease %our ma?est%+ I ha$e a condition to ma)e&- inter"osed the "rince.

-/hat@- e2claimed the )ing& -a condition@ and !ith me@ *o! dare %ou-

-As %ou "lease&- returned the "rince cooll%. -I !ish %our ma?est% a good morning.-

-Bou !retch@ I !ill ha$e %ou "ut in a sac)& and stuc) in the hole.-

-er% !ell& %our ma?est%&- re"lied the "rince& (ecoming a little more res"ect#ul& lest the !rath o#the )ing should de"ri$e him o# the "leasure o# d%ing #or the "rincess. -'ut !hat good !ill that do%our ma?est% 3lease to remem(er that the oracle sa%s the $ictim must o##er himsel#.-

-/ell& %ou 0ha$e0 o##ered %oursel#&- retorted the )ing.

-Bes& u"on one condition.-



-Condition again@- roared the )ing& once more dra!ing his s!ord. -'egone@ 9ome(od% else !ill (e glad enough to ta)e the honour o## %our shoulders.-

-Bour ma?est% )no!s it !ill not (e eas% to get another to ta)e m% "lace.-

-/ell& !hat is %our condition- gro!led the )ing& #eeling that the "rince !as right.

-nl% this&- re"lied the "rince: -that& as I must on no account die (e#ore I am #airl% dro!ned& andthe !aiting !ill (e rather !earisome& the "rincess& %our daughter& shall go !ith me& #eed me !ithher o!n hands& and loo) at me no! and then& to com#ort me+ #or %ou must con#ess it 0is0 ratherhard. As soon as the !ater is u" to m% e%es& she ma% go and (e ha""%& and #orget her "oorshoe(lac).-

*ere the "rince4s $oice #altered& and he $er% nearl% gre! sentimental& in s"ite o# his resolution.

-/h% didn4t %ou tell me (e#ore !hat %our condition !as 9uch a #uss a(out nothing@- e2claimed

the )ing.

-Do %ou grant it- "ersisted the "rince.

-# course I do&- re"lied the )ing.

-er% !ell. I am read%.-

-Go and ha$e some dinner& then& !hile I set m% "eo"le to #ind the "lace.-

The )ing ordered out his guards& and ga$e directions to the o##icers to #ind the hole in the la)e atonce. 9o the (ed o# the la)e !as mar)ed out in di$isions and thoroughl% e2amined& and in anhour or so the hole !as disco$ered. It !as in the middle o# a stone& near the centre o# the la)e& inthe $er% "ool !here the golden "late had (een #ound. It !as a threecornered hole o# no greatsi5e. There !as !ater all round the stone& (ut $er% little !as #lo!ing through the hole.

HI. T*I9 I9 B <I>D F B=.

The "rince !ent to dress #or the occasion& #or he !as resol$ed to die li)e a "rince.

/hen the "rincess heard that a man had o##ered to die #or her& she !as so trans"orted that she ?um"ed o## the (ed& #ee(le as she !as& and danced a(out the room #or ?o%. 9he did not care !hothe man !as+ that !as nothing to her. The hole !anted sto""ing+ and i# onl% a man !ould do&!h%& ta)e one. In an hour or t!o more e$er%thing !as read%. *er maid dressed her in haste& andthe% carried her to the side o# the la)e. /hen she sa! it she shrie)ed& and co$ered her #ace !ithher hands. The% (ore her across to the stone& !here the% had alread% "laced a little (oat #or her.The !ater !as not dee" enough to #loat it& (ut the% ho"ed it !ould (e& (e#ore long. The% laid her



on cushions& "laced in the (oat !ines and #ruits and other nice things& and stretched a cano"%o$er all.

In a #e! minutes the "rince a""eared. The "rincess recogni5ed him at once& (ut did not thin) it!orth !hile to ac)no!ledge him.

-*ere I am&- said the "rince. -3ut me in.-

-The% told me it !as a shoe(lac)&- said the "rincess.

-9o I am&- said the "rince. -I (lac)ed %our little (oots three times a da%& (ecause the% !ere all Icould get o# %ou. 3ut me in.-

The courtiers did not resent his (luntness& e2ce"t (% sa%ing to each other that he !as ta)ing it outin im"udence.

'ut ho! !as he to (e "ut in The golden "late contained no instructions on this "oint. The "rinceloo)ed at the hole& and sa! (ut one !a%. *e "ut (oth his legs into it& sitting on the stone& and&stoo"ing #or!ard& co$ered the corner that remained o"en !ith his t!o hands. In thisuncom#orta(le "osition he resol$ed to a(ide his #ate& and turning to the "eo"le& said&

->o! %ou can go.-

The )ing had alread% gone home to dinner.

->o! %ou can go&- re"eated the "rincess a#ter him& li)e a "arrot.

The "eo"le o(e%ed her and !ent.

3resentl% a little !a$e #lo!ed o$er the stone& and !etted one o# the "rince4s )nees. 'ut he did notmind it much. *e (egan to sing& and the song he sung !as this:

-As a !orld that has no !ell& Dar)l% (right in #orest dell+ As a !orld !ithout the gleam # the do!n!ardgoing stream+ As a !orld !ithout the glance # the ocean4s #air e2"anse+ As a !orld !here ne$er rain Glittered on the sunn% "lain+ 9uch& m% heart& th% !orld !ould (e& I# no lo$e did #lo! in thee.

-As a !orld !ithout the sound # the ri$ulets underground+ r the (u((ling o# the s"ring



ut o# dar)ness !andering+ r the might% rush and #lo!ing # the ri$er4s do!n!ard going+ r the musicsho!ers that dro" n the outs"read (eech4s to"+

r the ocean4s might% $oice& /hen his li#ted !a$es re?oice+ 9uch& m% soul& th% !orld !ould (e& I# no lo$e did sing in thee.

-;ad%& )ee" th% !orld4s delight+ <ee" the !aters in th% sight. ;o$e hath made me strong to go& For th% sa)e& to realms (elo!& /here the !ater4s shine and hum Through the dar)ness ne$er come:

;et& I "ra%& one thought o# me 9"ring& a little !ell& in thee+ ;est th% lo$eless soul (e #ound ;i)e a dr% and thirst% ground.-

-9ing again& "rince. It ma)es it less tedious&- said the "rincess.

'ut the "rince !as too much o$ercome to sing an% more& and a long "ause #ollo!ed.

-This is $er% )ind o# %ou& "rince&- said the "rincess at last& ,uite cooll%& as she la% in the (oat!ith her e%es shut.

-I am sorr% I can4t return the com"liment&- thought the "rince+ -(ut %ou are !orth d%ing #or& a#ter all.-

Again a !a$elet& and another& and another #lo!ed o$er the stone& and !etted (oth the "rince4s)nees+ (ut he did not s"ea) or mo$e. T!othree#our hours "assed in this !a%& the "rincessa""arentl% aslee"& and the "rince $er% "atient. 'ut he !as much disa""ointed in his "osition& #orhe had none o# the consolation he had ho"ed #or.

At last he could (ear it no longer.

-3rincess@- said he.

'ut at the moment u" started the "rincess& cr%ing&

-I4m a#loat@ I4m a#loat@-

And the little (oat (um"ed against the stone.



-/h% can4t !e go and ha$e a s!im- said the "rincess. -There seems to (e !ater enough ?usta(out here.-

-I shall ne$er s!im more&- said the "rince.

-h& I #orgot&- said the "rincess& and !as silent.

9o the !ater gre! and gre!& and rose u" and u" on the "rince. And the "rincess sat and loo)ed athim. 9he #ed him no! and then. The night !ore on. The !aters rose and rose. The moon roseli)e!ise higher and higher& and shone #ull on the #ace o# the d%ing "rince. The !ater !as u" tohis nec).

-/ill %ou )iss me& "rincess- said he& #ee(l%. The nonchalance !as all gone no!.

-Bes& I !ill&- ans!ered the "rincess& and )issed him !ith a long& s!eet& cold )iss.

->o!&- said he& !ith a sigh o# content& -I die ha""%.-

*e did not s"ea) again. The "rincess ga$e him some !ine #or the last time: he !as "ast eating.Then she sat do!n again& and loo)ed at him. The !ater rose and rose. It touched his chin. Ittouched his lo!er li". It touched (et!een his li"s. *e shut them hard to )ee" it out. The "rincess (egan to #eel strange. It touched his u""er li". *e (reathed through his nostrils. The "rincessloo)ed !ild. It co$ered his nostrils. *er e%es loo)ed scared& and shone strange in the moonlight.*is head #ell (ac)+ the !ater closed o$er it& and the (u((les o# his last (reath (u((led u" throughthe !ater. The "rincess ga$e a shrie)& and s"rang into the la)e.

9he laid hold #irst o# one leg& and then o# the other& and "ulled and tugged& (ut she could notmo$e either. 9he sto""ed to ta)e (reath& and that made her thin) that he could not get an% (reath.9he !as #rantic. 9he got hold o# him& and held his head a(o$e the !ater& !hich !as "ossi(le no!his hands !ere no longer on the hole. 'ut it !as o# no use& #or he !as "ast (reathing.

;o$e and !ater (rought (ac) all her strength. 9he got under the !ater& and "ulled and "ulled!ith her !hole might& till at last she got one leg out. The other easil% #ollo!ed. *o! she got himinto the (oat she ne$er could tell+ (ut !hen she did& she #ainted a!a%. Coming to hersel#& shesei5ed the oars& )e"t hersel# stead% as (est she could& and ro!ed and ro!ed& though she hadne$er ro!ed (e#ore. ound roc)s& and o$er shallo!s& and through mud she ro!ed& till she got tothe landingstairs o# the "alace. '% this time her "eo"le !ere on the shore& #or the% had heard her shrie). 9he made them carr% the "rince to her o!n room& and la% him in her (ed& and light a #ire&and send #or the doctors.

-'ut the la)e& %our highness@- said the cham(erlain& !ho& roused (% the noise& came in& in hisnightca".

-Go and dro!n %oursel# in it@- she said.



This !as the last rudeness o# !hich the "rincess !as e$er guilt%+ and one must allo! that she hadgood cause to #eel "ro$o)ed !ith the lord cham(erlain.

*ad it (een the )ing himsel#& he !ould ha$e #ared no (etter. 'ut (oth he and the ,ueen !ere #astaslee". And the cham(erlain !ent (ac) to his (ed. 9omeho!& the doctors ne$er came. 9o the

"rincess and her old nurse !ere le#t !ith the "rince. 'ut the old nurse !as a !ise !oman& and)ne! !hat to do.

The% tried e$er%thing #or a long time !ithout success. The "rincess !as nearl% distracted (et!een ho"e and #ear& (ut she tried on and on& one thing a#ter another& and e$er%thing o$er ando$er again.

At last& !hen the% had all (ut gi$en it u"& ?ust as the sun rose& the "rince o"ened his e%es.

H. ;< AT T* AI>@

The "rincess (urst into a "assion o# tears& and 0#ell0 on the #loor. There she la% #or an hour andher tears ne$er ceased. All the "entu" cr%ing o# her li#e !as s"ent no!. And a rain came on& suchas had ne$er (een seen in that countr%. The sun shone all the time& and the great dro"s& !hich #ellstraight to the earth& shone li)e!ise. The "alace !as in the heart o# a rain(o!. It !as a rain o#ru(ies& and sa""hires& and emeralds& and to"a5es. The torrents "oured #rom the mountains li)emolten gold+ and i# it had not (een #or its su(terraneous outlet& the la)e !ould ha$e o$er#lo!edand inundated the countr%. It !as #ull #rom shore to shore.

'ut the "rincess did not heed the la)e. 9he la% on the #loor and !e"t. And this rain !ithin doors!as #ar more !onder#ul than the rain out o# doors. For !hen it a(ated a little& and she "roceededto rise& she #ound& to her astonishment& that she could not. At length& a#ter man% e##orts& shesucceeded in getting u"on her #eet. 'ut she tum(led do!n again directl%. *earing her #all& herold nurse uttered a %ell o# delight& and ran to her& screaming&

-M% darling child@ she4s #ound her gra$it%@-

-h& that4s it@ is it- said the "rincess& ru((ing her shoulder and her )nee alternatel%. -I considerit $er% un"leasant. I #eel as i# I should (e crushed to "ieces.-

-*urrah@- cried the "rince #rom the (ed. -I# %ou4$e come round& "rincess& so ha$e I. *o!4s thela)e-

-'rim#ul&- ans!ered the nurse.

-Then !e4re all ha""%.-

-That !e are indeed@- ans!ered the "rincess& so((ing.



And there !as re?oicing all o$er the countr% that rain% da%. $en the (a(ies #orgot their "asttrou(les& and danced and cro!ed ama5ingl%. And the )ing told stories& and the ,ueen listened tothem. And he di$ided the mone% in his (o2& and she the hone% in her "ot& to all the children. Andthere !as such ?u(ilation as !as ne$er heard o# (e#ore.

# course the "rince and "rincess !ere (etrothed at once. 'ut the "rincess had to learn to !al)& (e#ore the% could (e married !ith an% "ro"riet%. And this !as not so eas% at her time o# li#e& #orshe could !al) no more than a (a(%. 9he !as al!a%s #alling do!n and hurting hersel#.

-Is this the gra$it% %ou used to ma)e so much o#- said she one da% to the "rince& as he raised her #rom the #loor. -For m% "art& I !as a great deal more com#orta(le !ithout it.-

->o& no& that4s not it. This is it&- re"lied the "rince& as he too) her u"& and carried her a(out li)e a (a(%& )issing her all the time. -This is gra$it%.-

-That4s (etter&- said she. -I don4t mind that so much.-

And she smiled the s!eetest& lo$eliest smile in the "rince4s #ace. And she ga$e him one little )issin return #or all his+ and he thought them o$er"aid& #or he !as (eside himsel# !ith delight. I #earshe com"lained o# her gra$it% more than once a#ter this& not!ithstanding.

It !as a long time (e#ore she got reconciled to !al)ing. 'ut the "ain o# learning it !as ,uitecounter(alanced (% t!o things& either o# !hich !ould ha$e (een su##icient consolation. The #irst!as& that the "rince himsel# !as her teacher+ and the second& that she could tum(le into the la)eas o#ten as she "leased. 9till& she "re#erred to ha$e the "rince ?um" in !ith her+ and the s"lashthe% made (e#ore !as nothing to the s"lash the% made no!.

The la)e ne$er san) again. In "rocess o# time& it !ore the roo# o# the ca$ern ,uite through& and!as t!ice as dee" as (e#ore.

The onl% re$enge the "rincess too) u"on her aunt !as to tread "rett% hard on her gout% toe thene2t time she sa! her. 'ut she !as sorr% #or it the $er% ne2t da%& !hen she heard that the !aterhad undermined her house& and that it had #allen in the night& (ur%ing her in its ruins+ !hence noone e$er $entured to dig u" her (od%. There she lies to this da%.

9o the "rince and "rincess li$ed and !ere ha""%+ and had cro!ns o# gold& and clothes o# cloth&and shoes o# leather& and children o# (o%s and girls& not one o# !hom !as e$er )no!n& on themost critical occasion& to lose the smallest atom o# his or her due "ro"ortion o# gra$it%.

3ort In A 9torm

-3a"a&- said m% sister ##ie& one e$ening as !e all sat a(out the dra!ingroom #ire. ne a#teranother& as nothing #ollo!ed& !e turned our e$es u"on her. There she sat& still silent&em(roidering the corner o# a cam(ric hand)erchie#& a""arentl% una!are that she had s"o)en.



It !as a $er% cold night in the (eginning o# !inter. M% #ather had come home earl%& and !e haddined earl% that !e might ha$e a long e$ening together& #or it !as m% #ather4s and mother4s!eddingda%& and !e al!a%s )e"t it as the homeliest o# holida%s. M% #ather !as seated in aneas%chair (% the chimne% corner& !ith a ?ug o# 'urgund% near him& and m% mother sat (% hisside& no! and then ta)ing a si" out o# his glass.

##ie !as no! nearl% nineteen+ the rest o# us !ere %ounger. /hat she !as thin)ing a(out !e didnot )no! then& though !e could all guess no!. 9uddenl% she loo)ed u"& and seeing all e%es #i2edu"on her& (ecame either a!are or sus"icious& and (lushed ros% red.

-Bou s"o)e to me& ##ie. /hat !as it& m% dear-

- %es& "a"a. I !anted to as) %ou !hether %ou !ouldn4t tell us& tonight& the stor% a(out ho!%ou-

-/ell& m% lo$e-

-A(out ho! %ou-

-I am listening& m% dear.-

-I mean& a(out mamma and %ou.-

-Bes& %es. A(out ho! I got %our mamma #or a mother to %ou. Bes. I "aid a do5en o# "ort #or her.-

/e all and each e2claimed 03a"a0@ and m% mother laughed.

-Tell us all a(out it&- !as the general cr%.

-/ell& I !ill&- ans!ered m% #ather. -I must (egin at the (eginning& though.-

And& #illing his glass !ith 'urgund%& he (egan.

-As #ar (ac) as I can remem(er& I li$ed !ith m% #ather in an old manorhouse in the countr%. Itdid not (elong to m% #ather& (ut to an elder (rother o# his& !ho at that time !as ca"tain o# ase$ent%#our. *e lo$ed the sea more than his li#e+ and& as %et a""arentl%& had lo$ed his shi" (etter than an% !oman. At least he !as not married.

-M% mother had (een dead #or some %ears& and m% #ather !as no! in $er% delicate health. *ehad ne$er (een strong& and since m% mother4s death& I (elie$e& though I !as too %oung to noticeit& he had "ined a!a%. I am not going to tell %ou an%thing a(out him ?ust no!& (ecause it does not (elong to m% stor%. /hen I !as a(out #i$e %ears old& as nearl% as I can ?udge& the doctors ad$isedhim to lea$e ngland. The house !as "ut into the hands o# an agent to letat least& so I su""ose+and he too) me !ith him to Madeira& !here he died. I !as (rought home (% his ser$ant& and (%m% uncle4s directions& sent to a (oardingschool+ #rom there to ton& and #rom there to 2#ord.



-'e#ore I had #inished m% studies& m% uncle had (een an admiral #or some time. The %ear (e#oreI le#t 2#ord& he married ;ad% Georgiana Thorn(ur%& a !ido! lad%& !ith one daughter.Thereu"on he (ade #are!ell to the sea& though I dare sa% he did not li)e the "arting& and retired!ith his (ride to the house !here he !as (ornthe same house I told %ou I !as (orn in& !hichhad (een in the #amil% #or man% generations& and !hich %our cousin no! li$es in.

-It !as late in the autumn !hen the% arri$ed at Cul$er!ood. The% !ere no sooner settled thanm% uncle !rote to me& in$iting me to s"end Christmastide !ith them at the old "lace. And here%ou ma% see that m% stor% has arri$ed at its (eginning.

-It !as !ith strange #eelings that I entered the house. It loo)ed so old#ashioned& and statel%& andgrand& to e%es !hich had (een accustomed to all the modern common"laces@ Bet the shado!%recollections !hich hung a(out it ga$e an air o# homeliness to the "lace& !hich& along !ith thegrandeur& occasioned a sense o# rare delight. For !hat can (e (etter than to #eel that %ou are instatel% com"an%& and at the same time "er#ectl% at home in it I am grate#ul to this da% #or thelesson I had #rom the sense o# !hich I ha$e s"o)enthat o# mingled a!e and tenderness in the

as"ect o# the old hall as I entered it #or the #irst time a#ter #i#teen %ears& ha$ing le#t it a merechild.

-I !as cordiall% recei$ed (% m% old uncle and m% ne! aunt. 'ut the moment <ate Thorn(ur%entered I lost m% heart& and ha$e ne$er #ound it again to this da%. I get on !onder#ull% !ell!ithout it& though& #or I ha$e got the loan o# a #ar (etter one till I #ind m% o!n& !hich& there#ore&I ho"e I ne$er shall.-

M% #ather glanced at m% mother as he said this& and she returned his loo) in a !a% !hich I canno! inter"ret as a ,uiet satis#ied con#idence. 'ut the tears came in ##ie4s e%es. 9he had trou(le (e#ore long& "oor girl@ 'ut it is not her stor% I ha$e to tell.M% #ather !ent on:

-Bour mother !as "rettier then than she is no!& (ut not so (eauti#ul+ (eauti#ul enough& though& toma)e me thin) there ne$er had (een or could again (e an%thing so (eauti#ul. 9he met me )indl%&and I met her a!)!ardl%.-

-Bou made me #eel that I had no (usiness there&- said m% mother& s"ea)ing #or the #irst time inthe course o# the stor%.

-9ee there& girls&- said m% #ather. -Bou are al!a%s so con#ident in #irst im"ressions& andinstincti$e ?udgment@ I !as a!)!ard (ecause& as I said& I #ell in lo$e !ith %our mother themoment I sa! her+ and she thought I regarded her as an intruder into the old #amil% "recincts.

-I !ill not #ollo! the stor% o# the da%s. I !as $er% ha""%& e2ce"t !hen I #elt too )eenl% ho!un!orth% I !as o# <ate Thorn(ur%+ not that she meant to ma)e me #eel it& #or she !as ne$erother than )ind+ (ut she !as such that I could not hel" #eeling it. I gathered courage& ho!e$er&and (e#ore three da%s !ere o$er& I (egan to tell her all m% slo!l% re$i$ing memories o# the "lace&!ith m% childish ad$entures associated !ith this and that room or outhouse or s"ot in thegrounds+ #or the longer I !as in the "lace the more m% old associations !ith it re$i$ed& till I !as,uite astonished to #ind ho! much o# m% histor% in connection !ith Cul$er!ood had (een



thoroughl% im"rinted on m% memor%. 9he ne$er sho!ed& at least& that she !as !ear% o# m%stories+ !hich& ho!e$er interesting to me& must ha$e (een tiresome to an% one !ho did nots%m"athi5e !ith !hat I #elt to!ards m% old nest. From room to room !e ram(led& tal)ing orsilent+ and nothing could ha$e gi$en me a (etter chance& I (elie$e& !ith a heart li)e %ourmother4s. I thin) it !as not long (e#ore she (egan to li)e me& at least& and li)ing had e$er%

o""ortunit% o# gro!ing into something stronger& i# onl% she too did not come to the conclusionthat I !as un!orth% o# her.

-M% uncle recei$ed me li)e the ?oll% old tar that he !as!elcomed me to the old shi"ho"ed !eshould ma)e man% a $o%age togetherand that I !ould ta)e the run o# the cra#tall (ut in onething.

-4Bou see& m% (o%&4 he said& 4I married a(o$e m% station& and I don4t !ant m% !i#e4s #riends to sa%that I laid alongside o# her to get hold o# her daughter4s #ortune. >o& no& m% (o%+ %our old unclehas too much salt !ater in him to do a dog4s tric) li)e that. 9o %ou ta)e care o# %oursel#that4sall. 9he might turn the head o# a !iser man than e$er came out o# our #amil%.4

-I did not tell m% uncle that his ad$ice !as alread% too late+ #or that& though it !as not an hoursince I had #irst seen her& m% head !as so #ar turned alread%& that the onl% !a% to get it rightagain& !as to go on turning it in the same direction+ though& no dou(t& there !as a danger o#o$erhauling the scre!. The old gentleman ne$er re#erred to the matter again& nor too) an% noticeo# our increasing intimac%+ so that I sometimes dou(t e$en no! i# he could ha$e (een in earnestin the $er% sim"le !arning he ga$e me. Fortunatel%& ;ad% Georgiana li)ed meat least I thoughtshe did& and that ga$e me courage.

-That4s all nonsense& m% dear&- said m% mother. -Mamma !as nearl% as #ond o# %ou as I !as+ (ut%ou ne$er !anted courage.-

-I )ne! (etter than to sho! m% co!ardice& I dare sa%&- returned m% #ather. -'ut&- he continued&-things gre! !orse and !orse& till I !as certain I should )ill m%sel#& or go straight out o# m%mind& i# %our mother !ould not ha$e me. 9o it !ent on #or a #e! da%s& and Christmas !as athand.

-The admiral had in$ited se$eral old #riends to come and s"end the Christmas !ee) !ith him. >o! %ou must remem(er that& although %ou loo) on me as an old#ashioned #ogie-

-h& "a"a@- !e all interru"ted+ (ut he !ent on.

-Bet m% old uncle !as an older#ashioned #ogie& and his #riends !ere much the same as himsel#. >o!& I am #ond o# a glass o# "ort& though I dare not ta)e it& and must content m%sel# !ith'urgund%. =ncle 'o( !ould ha$e called 'urgund% "ig!ash. *e could not do !ithout his "ort&though he !as a moderate enough man& as customs !ere. Fanc%& then& his disma% !hen& on,uestioning his (utler& an old co2en o# his o!n& and a#ter going do!n to ins"ect in "erson& he#ound that there !as scarcel% more than a do5en o# "ort in the !inecellar. *e turned !hite !ithdisma%& and& till he had (rought the (lood (ac) to his countenance (% s!earing& he !assomething a!#ul to (ehold in the dim light o# the tallo! candle old aco( held in his tattooed #ist.



I !ill not re"eat the !ords he used+ #ortunatel%& the% are out o# #ashion amongst gentlemen&although ladies& I understand& are (eginning to re$i$e the custom& no! old& and al!a%s ugl%.aco( reminded his honour that he !ould not ha$e more "ut do!n till he had got a "ro"er cellar (uilt& #or the one there !as& he had said& !as not #it to "ut an%thing (ut dead men in. Thereu"on&a#ter a(using aco( #or not reminding him o# the necessities o# the coming season& he turned to

me& and (egan& certainl% not to s!ear at his o!n #ather& (ut to e2"ostulate side!a%s !ith thea(sent shade #or not ha$ing "ro$ided a decent cellar (e#ore his de"arture #rom this !orld o#dinners and !ine& hinting that it !as some!hat sel#ish& and $er% inconsiderate o# the !el#are o#those !ho !ere to come a#ter him. *a$ing a little e2hausted his indignation& he came u"& and!rote the most "erem"tor% order to his !inemerchant& in ;i$er"ool& to let him ha$e thirt% do5eno# "ort (e#ore Christmas Da%& e$en i# he had to send it (% "ostchaise. I too) the letter to the "ostm%sel#& #or the old man !ould trust no(od% (ut me& and indeed !ould ha$e "re#erred ta)ing ithimsel#+ (ut in !inter he !as al!a%s lame #rom the e##ects o# a (ruise he had recei$ed #rom a#alling s"ar in the (attle o# A(ou)ir.

-That night I remem(er !ell. I la% in (ed !ondering !hether I might $enture to sa% a !ord& or

e$en to gi$e a hint to %our mother that there !as a !ord that "ined to (e said i# it might. All atonce I heard a !hine o# the !ind in the old chimne%. *o! !ell I )ne! that !hine@ For m% )indaunt had ta)en the trou(le to #ind out #rom me !hat room I had occu"ied as a (o%& and& (% thethird night I s"ent there& she had got it read% #or me. I ?um"ed out o# (ed& and #ound that thesno! !as #alling #ast and thic). I ?um"ed into (ed again& and (egan !ondering !hat m% uncle!ould do i# the "ort did not arri$e. And then I thought that& i# the sno! !ent on #alling as it did&and i# the !ind rose an% higher& it might turn out that the roads through the hill% "art o# Bor)shirein !hich Cul$er!ood la%& might $er% !ell (e (loc)ed u".

-The north !ind doth (lo!& And !e shall ha$e <no!&And !hat !ill m% uncle do then& "oor thing *e4ll run #or his "ort& 'ut he !ill run short&And ha$e too much !ater to drin)& "oor thing@

-/ith the in#luences o# the cham(er o# m% childhood cro!ding u"on me& I )e"t re"enting thetra$estied rh%me to m%sel#& till I #ell aslee".

->o!& (o%s and girls& i# I !ere !riting a no$el& I should li)e to ma)e %ou& someho! or other& "uttogether the #actsthat I !as in the room I ha$e mentioned+ that I had (een in the cellar !ith m%uncle #or the #irst time that e$ening+ that I had seen m% uncle4s distress& and heard his re#lectionsu"on his #ather. I ma% add that I !as not m%sel#& e$en then& so indi##erent to the merits o# a goodglass o# "ort as to (e una(le to enter into m% uncle4s disma%& and that o# his guests at last& i# the%should #ind that the sno!storm had actuall% closed u" the s!eet a""roaches o# the e2"ected "ort. I# I !as "ersonall% indi##erent to the matter& I #ear it is to (e attri(uted to %our mother& andnot to m%sel#.-



->onsense@- inter"osed m% mother once more. -I ne$er )ne! such a man #or ma)ing little o#himsel# and much o# other "eo"le. Bou ne$er dran) a glass too much "ort in %our li#e.-

-That4s !h% I4m so #ond o# it& m% dear&- returned m% #ather. -I declare %ou ma)e me ,uitediscontented !ith m% "ig!ash here.

-That night I had a dream.

-The ne2t da% the $isitors (egan to arri$e. 'e#ore the e$ening a#ter& the% had all come. There!ere #i$e o# themthree tars and t!o landcra(s& as the% called each other !hen the% got ?oll%&!hich& (%the!a%& the% !ould not ha$e done long !ithout me.

-M% uncle4s an2iet% $isi(l% increased. ach guest& as he came do!n to (rea)#ast& recei$ed eachmorning a more constrained greeting.I (eg %our "ardon& ladies+ I #orgot to mention that m% aunthad lad%$isitors& o# course. 'ut the #act is& it is onl% the "ortdrin)ing $isitors in !hom m% stor%is interested& al!a%s e2ce"ted %our mother.

-These ladies m% admiral uncle greeted !ith something e$en a""roaching to ser$ilit%. Iunderstood him !ell enough. *e instincti$el% sought to ma)e a "art% to "rotect him !hen thea!#ul secret o# his cellar should (e #ound out. 'ut #or t!o "reliminar% da%s or so& his resources!ould ser$e+ #or he had "lent% o# e2cellent claret and Madeirastu## I don4t )no! much a(outand (oth aco( and himsel# condescended to manoeu$re a little.

-The !ine did not arri$e. 'ut the morning o# Christmas $e did. I !as sitting in m% room& tr%ingto !rite a song #or <atethat4s %our mother& m% dears-

-I )no!& "a"a&- said ##ie& as i# she !ere $er% )no!ing to )no! that.

-!hen m% uncle came into the room& loo)ing li)e 9intram !ith Death and the ther ne a#terhimthat4s the nonsense %ou read to me the other da%& isn4t it+ ##ie-

->ot nonsense& dear "a"a&- remonstrated ##ie+ and I lo$ed her #or sa%ing it& #or surel% 0that0 isnot nonsense.

-I didn4t mean it&- said m% #ather+ and turning to m% mother& added: -It must (e %our #ault& m%dear& that m% children are so serious that the% al!a%s ta)e a ?o)e #or earnest. *o!e$er& it !as no ?o)e !ith m% uncle. I# he didn4t loo) li)e 9intram he loo)ed li)e t4other one.

-4The roads are #ro5enI mean sno!ed u"&4 he said. 4There4s ?ust one (ottle o# "ort le#t& and !hatCa"tain Cal)er !ill sa%I dare sa% I )no!& (ut I4d rather not. Damn this !eather@God #orgi$eme@that4s not right(ut it is tr%ingain4t it& m% (o%4

-4/hat !ill %ou gi$e me #or a do5en o# "ort& uncle4 !as all m% ans!er.

-4Gi$e %ou I4ll gi$e %ou Cul$er!ood& %ou rogue.4



-4Done&4 I cried.

-4That is&4 stammered m% uncle& 4that is&4 and he reddened li)e the #unnel o# one o# his hatedsteamers& 4that is& %ou )no!& al!a%s "ro$ided& %ou )no!. It !ouldn4t (e #air to ;ad% Georgiana&no!& !ould it I "ut it to %oursel#i# she too) the trou(le& %ou )no!. Bou understand me& m%

(o%4

-4That4s o# course& uncle&4 I said.

-4Ah@ I see %ou4re a gentleman li)e %our #ather& not to tri" a man !hen he stum(les&4 said m%uncle. For such !as the dear old man4s sense o# honour& that he !as actuall% uncom#orta(le a(outthe hast% "romise he had made !ithout #irst s"eci#%ing the e2ce"tion. The e2ce"tion& %ou )no!&has Cul$er!ood at the "resent hour& and right !elcome he is.

-4# course& uncle&4 I said4(et!een gentlemen& %ou )no!. 9till& I !ant m% ?o)e out& too. /hat!ill %ou gi$e me #or a do5en o# "ort to tide %ou o$er Christmas Da%4

-4Gi$e %ou& m% (o% I4ll gi$e %ou4

-'ut here he chec)ed himsel#& as one that had (een (urned alread%.

-4'ah@4 he said& turning his (ac)& and going to!ards the door+ 4!hat4s the use o# ?o)ing a(outserious a##airs li)e this4

-And so he le#t the room. And I let him go. For I had heard that the road #rom ;i$er"ool !asim"assa(le& the !ind and sno! ha$ing continued e$er% da% since that night o# !hich I told %ou.Meantime& I had ne$er (een a(le to summon the courage to sa% one !ord to %our motherI (egher "ardon& I mean Miss Thorn(ur%.

-Christmas Da% arri$ed. M% uncle !as a!#ul to (ehold. *is #riends !ere e$identl% an2iousa(out him. The% thought he !as ill. There !as such a hesitation a(out him& li)e a shar) !ith a (ait& and such a #lurr%& li)e a !hale in his last agonies. *e had a horri(le secret !hich he darednot tell& and !hich %et 0!ould0 come out o# its gra$e at the a""ointed hour.

-Do!n in the )itchen the roast (ee# and tur)e% !ere meeting their deserts. =" in the storeroom#or ;ad% Georgiana !as not a(o$e house)ee"ing& an% more than her daughterthe ladies o# thehouse !ere doing their "art+ and I !as oscillating (et!een m% uncle and his niece& ma)ingm%sel# ama5ingl% use#ul no! to one and no! to the other. The tur)e% and the (ee# !ere on theta(le& na%& the% had (een !ell eaten& (e#ore I #elt that m% moment !as come. utside& the !ind!as ho!ling& and dri$ing the sno! !ith so#t "ats against the !indo!"anes. agere%ed I!atched General Fortescue& !ho des"ised sherr% or Madeira e$en during dinner& and !ould nomore touch cham"agne than he !ould 0eau sucre0& (ut dran) "ort a#ter #ish or !ith cheeseindiscriminatel%!ith eager e%es I !atched ho! the last (ottle d!indled out its #ading li#e in theclear decanter. Glass a#ter glass !as su""lied to General Fortescue (% the #earless coc)s!ain&!ho& i# he might ha$e had his choice& !ould rather ha$e (oarded a Frenchman than !aited #or!hat !as to #ollo!. M% uncle scarcel% ate at all& and the onl% thing that sto""ed his #ace #rom



gro!ing longer !ith the remo$al o# e$er% dish !as that nothing (ut death could ha$e made itlonger than it !as alread%. It !as m% interest to let matters go as #ar as the% might u" to a certain "oint& (e%ond !hich it !as not m% interest to let them go& i# I could hel" it. At the same time I!as curious to )no! ho! m% uncle !ould announcecon#ess the terri(le #act that in his house&on Christmas Da%& ha$ing in$ited his oldest #riends to share !ith him the #esti$ities o# the

season& there !as not one (ottle more o# "ort to had.

-I !aited till the last momenttill I #ancied the admiral !as o"ening his mouth+ li)e a #ish indes"air& to ma)e his con#ession. *e had not e$en dared to ma)e a con#idante o# his !i#e in suchan a!#ul dilemma. Then I "retended to ha$e dro""ed m% ta(lena")in (ehind m% chair& andrising to see) it& stole round (ehind m% uncle& and !his"ered in his ear:

-4/hat !ill %ou gi$e me #or a do5en o# "ort no!& uncle4

-4'ah@4 he said& 4I4m at the gratings+ don4t torture me.4

-4I4m in earnest& uncle.4

-*e loo)ed round at me !ith a sudden #lash o# (e!ildered ho"e in his e%e. In the last agon% he!as ca"a(le o# (elie$ing in a miracle. 'ut he made me no re"l%. *e onl% stared.

-4/ill %ou gi$e me <ate I !ant <ate&4 I !his"ered.

-4I !ill& m% (o%. That is& i# she4ll ha$e %ou. That is& I mean to sa%& i# %ou "roduce the true ta!n%.4

-4# course& uncle+ honour (rightas "ort in a storm&4 I ans!ered& trem(ling in m% shoes ande$er%thing else I had on& #or I !as not more than three "arts con#ident in the result.

-The gentlemen (eside <ate ha""ening at the moment to (e occu"ied& each !ith the lad% on hisother side& I !ent (ehind her& and !his"ered to her as I had !his"ered to m% uncle& though note2actl% in the same terms. 3erha"s I had got a little courage #rom the cham"agne I had drun)+ "erha"s the "resence o# the com"an% ga$e me a )ind o# mesmeric strength+ "erha"s thee2citement o# the !hole $enture )e"t me u"+ "erha"s <ate hersel# ga$e me courage& li)e agoddess o# old& in some !a% I did not understand. At all e$ents I said to her:

-4<ate&4!e had got so #ar e$en then4m% uncle hasn4t another (ottle o# "ort in his cellar.Consider !hat a state General Fortescue !ill (e in soon. *e4ll (e ti"s% #or !ant o# it. /ill %oucome and hel" me to #ind a (ottle or t!o4

-9he rose at once& !ith a !hiterose (lushso delicate I don4t (elie$e an% one sa! it (ut m%sel#.'ut the shado! o# a stra% ringlet could not #all on her chee) !ithout m% seeing it.

-/hen !e got into the hall& the !ind !as roaring loud& and the #e! lights !ere #lic)ering and!a$ing gustil% !ith alternate light and shade across the old "ortraits !hich I had )no!n so !ellas a child#or I used to thin) !hat each !ould sa% #irst& i# he or she came do!n out o# the #rameand s"o)e to me.



-I sto""ed& and ta)ing <ate4s hand& I said

-4I daren4t let %ou come #arther& <ate& (e#ore I tell %ou another thing: m% uncle has "romised& i# I#ind him a do5en o# "ort%ou must ha$e seen !hat a state the "oor man is into let me sa%

something to %ouI su""ose he meant %our mamma& (ut I "re#er sa%ing it to %ou& i# %ou !ill letme. /ill %ou come and hel" me to #ind the "ort4

-9he said nothing& (ut too) u" a candle that !as on a ta(le in the hall& and stood !aiting. I$entured to loo) at her. *er #ace !as no! celestial ros% red& and I could not dou(t that she hadunderstood me. 9he loo)ed so (eauti#ul that I stood staring at her !ithout mo$ing. /hat theser$ants could ha$e (een a(out that not one o# them crossed the hall& I can4t thin).

-At last <ate laughed and said4/ell4 I started& and I dare sa% too) m% turn at (lushing. At leastI did not )no! !hat to sa%. I had #orgotten all a(out the guests inside. 4/here4s the "ort4 said<ate. I caught hold o# her hand again and )issed it.-

-Bou needn4t (e ,uite so minute in %our account& m% dear&- said m% mother& smiling.

-I !ill (e more care#ul in #uture& m% lo$e&- returned m% #ather.

-4/hat do %ou !ant me to do4 said <ate.

-4nl% to hold the candle #or me&4 I ans!ered& restored to m% se$en senses at last+ and& ta)ing it#rom her& I led the !a%& and she #ollo!ed& till !e had "assed through the )itchen and reached thecellarstairs. These !ere stee" and a!)!ard& and she let me hel" her do!n.-

->o!& d!ard@- said m% mother.

-Bes& %es& m% lo$e& I understand&- returned m% #ather.

-=" to this time %our mother had as)ed no ,uestions+ (ut !hen !e stood in a $ast& lo! cellar&!hich !e had made se$eral turns to reach& and I ga$e her the candle& and too) u" a great cro!(ar !hich la% on the #loor& she said at last

-4d!ard& are %ou going to (ur% me ali$e or !hat 0are0 %ou going to do4

-4I4m going to dig %ou out&4 I said& #or I !as nearl% (eside m%sel# !ith ?o%& as I struc) the cro!(ar li)e a (atteringram into the !all. Bou can #anc%& ohn& that I didn4t !or) the !orse that <ate !asholding the candle #or me.

-er% soon& though !ith great e##ort& I had dislodged a (ric)& and the ne2t (lo! I ga$e into thehole sent (ac) a dull echo. I !as right@

-I !or)ed no! li)e a madman& and& in a $er% #e! minutes more& I had dislodged the !hole o# the (ric)thic) !all !hich #illed u" an arch!a% o# stone and curtained an ancient door in the loc) o#



!hich the )e% no! sho!ed itsel#. It had (een !ell greased& and I turned it !ithout muchdi##icult%.

-I too) the candle #rom <ate& and led her into a s"acious region o# sa!dust& co(!e(& and !ine#ungus.

-4There& <ate@4 I cried& in delight.

-4'ut&4 said <ate& 4!ill the !ine (e good4

-4General Fortescue !ill ans!er %ou that&4 I returned& e2ultantl%. 4>o! come& and hold the lightagain !hile I #ind the "ort(in.4

-I soon #ound not one& (ut se$eral !ell#illed "ort(ins. /hich to choose I could not tell. I mustchance that. <ate carried a (ottle and the candle& and I carried t!o (ottles $er% care#ull%. /e "utthem do!n in the )itchen !ith orders the% should not (e touched. /e had soon carried the do5en

to the hallta(le (% the diningroom door.

-/hen at length& !ith aco( chuc)ling and ru((ing his hands (ehind us& !e entered the diningroom& <ate and I& #or <ate !ould not "art !ith her share in the ?o%#ul (usiness& loaded !ith ale$el (ottle in each hand& !hich !e care#ull% erected on the side(oard& I "resume& #rom the stareo# the com"an%& that !e "resented a rather remar)a(le a""earance<ate in her !hite muslin& andI in m% (est clothes& co$ered !ith (ric)dust& and co(!e(s& and lime. 'ut !e could not (e hal# soamusing to them as the% !ere to us. There the% sat !ith the dessert (e#ore them (ut no !inedecanters #orthcoming. *o! long the% had sat thus& I ha$e no idea. I# %ou thin) %our mammahas& %ou ma% as) her. Ca"tain Cal)er and General Fortescue loo)ed "ositi$el% !hite a(out thegills. M% uncle& clinging to the last ho"e& des"airingl%& had sat still and said nothing& and theguests could not understand the a!#ul dela%. $en ;ad% Georgiana had (egun to #ear a mutin% inthe )itchen& or something e,uall% a!#ul. 'ut to see the #lash that "assed across m% uncle4s #ace&!hen he sa! us a""ear !ith 0"orted arms0@ *e immediatel% (egan to "retend that nothing had (een the matter.

-4/hat the deuce has )e"t %ou& >ed& m% (o%4 he said. 4Fair *e(e&4 he !ent on& 4I (eg %our "ardon. aco(& %ou can go on decanting. It !as $er% careless o# %ou to #orget it. Meantime& *e(e& (ring that (ottle to General u"iter& there. *e4s got a cor)scre! in the tail o# his ro(e& or I4mmista)en.4

-ut came General Fortescue4s cor)scre!. I !as trem(ling once more !ith an2iet%. The cor)ga$e the genuine "lo"+ the (ottle !as lo!ered+ glug& glug& glug& came #rom its (ene#icent throat&and out #lo!ed something ta!n% as a lion4s mane. The general li#ted it la5il% to his li"s& salutinghis nose on the !a%.

-4Fi#teen@ (% G%eo$e@4 he cried. /ell& Admiral& this 0!as0 !orth !aiting #or@ Ta)e care ho! %oudecant that& aco(on "eril o# %our li#e.4



-M% uncle !as trium"hant. *e !in)ed hard at me not to tell. <ate and I retired& she to changeher dress& I to get mine !ell (rushed& and m% hands !ashed. '% the time I returned to the diningroom& no one had an% ,uestions to as). For <ate& the ladies had gone to the dra!ingroom (e#oreshe !as read%& and I (elie$e she had some di##icult% in )ee"ing m% uncle4s counsel. 'ut shedid.>eed I sa% that !as the ha""iest Christmas I e$er s"ent-

-'ut ho! did %ou #ind the cellar& "a"a- as)ed ##ie.

-/here are %our (rains& ##ie Don4t %ou remem(er I told %ou that I had a dream-

-Bes. 'ut %ou don4t mean to sa% the e2istence o# that !inecellar !as re$ealed to %ou in adream-

-'ut I do& indeed. I had seen the !inecellar (uilt u" ?ust (e#ore !e le#t #or Madeira. It !as m%#ather4s "lan #or securing the !ine !hen the house !as let. And $er% !ell it turned out #or the!ine& and me too. I had #orgotten all a(out it. $er%thing had cons"ired to (ring it to m%

memor%& (ut had ?ust #ailed o# success. I had #allen aslee" under all the in#luences I told %ou o#in#luences #rom the region o# m% childhood. The% o"erated still !hen I !as aslee"& and& all otherdistracting in#luences (eing remo$ed& at length roused in m% slee"ing (rain the memor% o# !hatI had seen. In the morning I remem(ered not m% dream onl%& (ut the e$ent o# !hich m% dream!as a re"roduction. 9till& I !as under considera(le dou(t a(out the "lace& and in this I #ollo!edthe dream onl%& as near as I could ?udge.

-The admiral )e"t his !ord& and inter"osed no di##iculties (et!een <ate and me. >ot that& to tellthe truth& I !as e$er $er% an2ious a(out that roc) ahead+ (ut it !as $er% "ossi(le that his#astidious honour or "ride might ha$e occasioned a considera(le inter#erence !ith our ha""iness#or a time. As it turned out& he could not lea$e me Cul$er!ood& and I regretted the #act as little ashe did himsel#. *is gratitude to me !as& ho!e$er& e2cessi$e& assuming occasionall% ludicrousout(ursts o# than)#ulness. I do not (elie$e he could ha$e (een more grate#ul i# I had sa$ed hisshi" and its !hole cre!. For his hos"italit% !as at sta)e. <ind old man@-

*ere ended m% #ather4s stor%& !ith a light sigh& a ga5e into the (right coals& a )iss o# m% mother4shand !hich he held in his& and another glass o# 'urgund%.

9te"hen Archer

9te"hen Archer !as a stationer& (oo)seller& and ne!smonger in one o# the su(ur(s o# ;ondon.The ne!s"a"ers hung in a sort o# rac) at his door& as i# #or the con$enience o# the "u(lic to hel"themsel$es in "assing. n his counter la% "enn% !ee)lies and (oo)s coming out in "arts&amongst !hich the 0Famil% *erald0 !as in #orce& and the 0;ondon ournal0 not to (e #ound. Ihad occasion once to tr% the e2tent o# his stoc)& #or I re,uired a good man% co"ies o# one o#9ha)s"ere4s "la%sat a "enn%& i# I could #ind such. *e shoo) his head& and told me he could notencourage the sale o# such "roductions. This "leased me+ #or& although it !as o# littleconse,uence !hat he thought concerning 9ha)s"ere& it !as o# the utmost im"ort that he should "re#er "rinci"le to "ence. 9o I loitered in the sho"& loo)ing #or something to (u%+ (ut there !as



nothing in the !a% o# literature: his !hole stoc)& as #ar as I could see& consisted o# little religious$olumes o# ga% (inding and in#erior "rint+ he had nothing e$en #rom the *ali#a2 "ress. *e !as agoodloo)ing #ello!& a(out thirt%& !ith dar) e%es& o$erhanging (ro!s that indicated thought&mouth o# character& and no smile. I !as interested in him.

I as)ed i# he !ould mind getting the "la%s I !anted. *e said he !ould rather not. I (ade himgood morning.

More than a %ear a#ter& I sa! him again. I had "assed his sho" man% times& (ut this morning& I#orget !h%& I !ent in. I could hardl% recall the #ormer a""earance o# the man& so !as its!allo!ed u" in a ne! e2"ression. *is #ace !as ali$e& and his (eha$iour courteous. A similarchange had "assed u"on his stoc). There !as 03unch0 and 0Fun0 amongst the "a"ers& andten"enn% 9ha)s"eres on the counter& "rinted on stra!"a"er& !ith ugl% !oodcuts. The #ormerclass o# "u(lications had not $anished& (ut !as mingled !ith chea" editions o# some !orth% o# (eing called (oo)s.

-I see %ou ha$e changed %our mind since I sa! %ou last&- I said.

-Bou ha$e the ad$antage o# me& sir&- he returned. -I did not )no! %ou !ere a customer.-

->ot much o# that&- I re"lied+ -onl% in intention. I !anted %ou to get me some "enn% 9ha)s"eres&and %ou !ould not ta)e the order.-

-h@ I thin) I remem(er&- he ans!ered& !ith ?ust a trace o# con#usion+ adding& !ith a smile& -I4mmarried no!+- and I #ancied I could read a sort o# trium"h o$er his #ormer sel#.

I laughed& o# coursethe (est e2"ression o# s%m"ath% at handand& a#ter a little tal)& le#t thesho"& resol$ed to loo) in again soon. 'e#ore a month !as o$er& I had made the ac,uaintance o#his !i#e too& and (et!een them learned so much o# their histor% as to (e a(le to gi$e the#ollo!ing "articulars concerning it.

9te"hen Archer !as one o# the deacons& rather a %oung one "erha"s& o# a dissentingcongregation. The cha"el !as one o# the oldest in the neigh(ourhood& ,uite trium"hant inugliness& (ut "ossessed o# a histor% !hich ga$e it high ran) !ith those !ho #re,uented it. Thesacred odour o# the names o# "astors !ho had occu"ied its "ul"it& lingered a(out its !allsnamesun)no!n (e%ond its "recincts& (ut starr% in the e%es o# those !hose !orld la% !ithin itsta(ernacle. 3eo"le generall% do not )no! !hat a "o!er some o# these small 0con$enticles0 arein the education o# the !orld. I# onl% as an outlet #or the energies o# men o# lo!l% education and "osition& !ho in conne2ion !ith most o# the churches o# the sta(lishment !ould #ind noem"lo%ment& the% are o# inestima(le $alue.

To 9te"hen Archer& #or instance& !hen I sa! him #irst& his cha"el !as the sole door out o# thecommon !orld into the in#inite. /hen he entered& as certainl% did the a!e and the hush o# thesacred "lace o$ershado! his s"irit as i# it had (een a gorgeous cathedralhouse (orne alo#t u"onthe ?oined "alms o# its Gothic arches. The Master is truer than men thin)& and the "o!er o# *is "resence& as 'ro!ning has so !ell set #orth in his -Christmas $e&- is !here t!o or three are



gathered in *is name. And inasmuch as 9te"hen !as not a man o# imagination& he had thegreater need o# the unde#ined in#luences o# the "lace.

*e had (een chie# in esta(lishing a small mission amongst the "oor in the neigh(ourhood& !iththe !or)ing o# !hich he occu"ied the greater "art o# his s"are time. I !ill not $enture to assert

that his mind !as "ure #rom the am(ition o# gathering #rom these to s!ell the #loc) at the littlecha"el+ na%& I !ill not e$en assert that there ne$er arose a suggestion o# the enem% that the "enceo# these rescued (rands might alle$iate the (urden u"on the heads and shoulders o# the "oorl% "ros"erous car%atids o# his church+ (ut I do sa% that 9te"hen !as an honest man in the main& e$er read% to gro! honester: and !ho can demand more

ne e$ening& as he !as "utting u" the shutters o# his !indo!& his attention !as arrested (% ashu##ling (ehind him. Glancing round& he set do!n the shutter& and the ne2t instant (o2ed a (o%4sears& !ho ran a!a% ho!ling and mildl% e2ca$ating his e%e(alls& !hile a %oung& "ale#aced!oman& !ith the largest (lac) e%es he had e$er seen& e2"ostulated !ith him on the "roceeding.

-h& sir@- she said& -he !asn4t trou(ling %ou.- There !as a touch o# indignation in the tone.

-I4m sorr% I can4t return the com"liment&- said 9te"hen& rather illogicall%. -I# I4d ha4 )no!n %ouli)ed to ha$e %our shins )ic)ed& I might ha4 let the %oung rascal alone. 'ut %ou see I didn4t )no!it.-

-*e4s m% (rother&- said the %oung !oman& conclusi$el%.

-The more shame to him&- returned 9te"hen. -I# he4d (een %our hus(and& no!& there might ha4 (een more harm than good in inter#erin4& 4cause he4d onl% gi$e it %ou the !orse a#ter+ (ut (rothers@ /ell& I4m sure it4s a "it% I inter#ered.-

-I don4t see the di##erence&- she retorted& still !ith o##ence.

-I (eg %our "ardon& then&- said 9te"hen. -I "romise %ou I !on4t inter#ere ne2t time.-

9o sa%ing& he turned& too) u" his shutter& and "roceeded to close his sho". The %oung !oman!al)ed on.

9te"hen ga$e an in!ard gro!l or t!o at the de"ra$it% o# human nature& and set out to ma)e hisusual $isits+ (ut (e#ore he reached the "lace& he had (egun to dou(t !hether the old Adam hadnot o$ercome him in the matter o# (o2ing the (o%4s ears+ and the #ollo!ing inter$ie!s a""earedin conse,uence less satis#actor% than usual. Disa""ointed !ith himsel#& he could not (e soho"e#ul a(out others.

As he !as descending a stair so narro! that it !as onl% ?ust "ossi(le #or t!o "eo"le to "ass& hemet the same %oung !oman ascending. Glad o# the o""ortunit%& he ste""ed aside !ith his (estmanners and said:

-I am sorr% I o##ended %ou this e$ening. I did not )no! that the (o% !as %our (rother.-



-h& sir@- she returned#or to one in her "osition& 9te"hen Archer !as a gentleman: had he not asho" o# his o!n-%ou didn4t hurt him much+ onl% I4m so an2ious to sa$e him.-

-To (e sure&- returned 9te"hen& -that is the one thing need#ul.-

-Bes& sir&- she re?oined. -I tr% hard& (ut (o%s !ill (e (o%s.-

-There is (ut one !a%& %ou )no!&- said 9te"hen& #ollo!ing the !ords !ith a certain #ormula!hich I !ill not re"eat.

The girl stared. -I don4t )no! a(out that&- she said. -/hat I !ant is to )ee" him out o# "rison.9ometimes I thin) I shan4t (e a(le long. h& sir@ i# %ou (e the gentleman that goes a(out here&couldn4t %ou hel" me I can4t get an%thing #or him to do& and I can4t (e at home to loo) a#terhim.-

-/hat is he a(out all da%& then-

-The streets&- she ans!ered. -I don4t )no! as he4s e$er done an%thing he oughtn4t to& (ut he camehome once in a #right& and that (reathless !ith running& that I thought he4d ha4 #ainted. I# I onl%could get him into a "lace@-

-Do %ou li$e here- he as)ed.

-Bes& sir+ I do.-

At the moment a hal#(estial sound (elo!& accom"anied (% uncertain #ootste"s& announced thearri$al o# a drun)en (ric)la%er.

-There4s oe 'radle%&- she said& in some alarm. -Come into m% room& sir& till he4s gone u"+ there4sno harm in him !hen he4s so(er& (ut he ain4t (een so(er #or a !ee) no!.-

9te"hen o(e%ed+ and she& ta)ing a )e% #rom her "oc)et& and unloc)ing a door on the landing& ledhim into a room to !hich his (ac)"arlour !as a "aradise. 9he o##ered him the onl% chair in theroom& and too) her "lace on the edge o# the (ed& !hich sho!ed a clean (ut much!orn "atch!or) ,uilt. Charle% sle"t on the (ed& and she on a sha)edo!n in the corner. The room !asnot untid%& though the !alls and #loor !ere not clean+ indeed there !ere not in it articles enoughto ma)e it untid% !ithal.

-/here do %ou go on 9unda%s- as)ed 9te"hen.

->o!heres. I ain4t got no(od%&- she added& !ith a smile& -to ta)e me no!heres.-

-/hat do %ou do then-



-I4$e "lent% to do mending o# Charle%4s trousers. Bou see the%4re onl% shodd%& and as #ast as I "atch 4em in one "lace the%4re out in another.-

-'ut %ou oughtn4t to !or) 9unda%s.-

-I ha$e heard tell o# "eo"le as sa% %ou oughtn4t to !or) o# a 9unda%+ (ut !here4s the di##er !hen%ou4$e got a (rother to loo) a#ter *e ain4t got no mother.-

-'ut %ou4re (rea)ing the #ourth commandment+ and %ou )no! !here "eo"le go that do that. Bou (elie$e in hell& I su""ose.-

-I al!a%s thought that !as a (ad !ord.-

-To (e sure@ 'ut it4s !here %ou4ll go i# %ou (rea) the 9a((ath.-

-h& sir@- she said& (ursting into tears& -I don4t care !hat (ecome o# me i# I could onl% sa$e that

(o%.-

-/hat do %ou mean (% 0sa$ing0 him-

-<ee" him out o# "rison& to (e sure. I shouldn4t mind the !or)us m%sel#& i# I could get him into a "lace.-

0A "lace0 !as her hea$en& a "rison her hell. 9te"hen loo)ed at her more attenti$el%. >o one !homerel% glanced at her could hel" seeing her e%es #irst& and no one !ho regarded them could hel"thin)ing her niceloo)ing at least& all in a sha((% cotton dress and (lac) sha!l as she !as. It !asonl% the -"enur% and "ine- that )e"t her #rom (eing (eauti#ul. *er #eatures !ere (oth regular anddelicate& !ith an an2ious m%ster% a(out the thin tremulous li"s& and a (eseeching loo)& li)e thato# an animal& in her #ine e%es& ha5% !ith the trou(le that haunted her mouth. 9te"hen had thegood sense not to "ress the 9a((ath ,uestion& and (% degrees dre! her stor% #rom her.

*er #ather had (een a !atchma)er& (ut& gi$ing !a% to drin)& had (een& as #ar (ac) as she couldremem(er& entirel% de"endent on her mother& !ho (% charing and ?o((ing managed to )ee" the#amil% ali$e. 9ara !as then the onl% child& (ut& !ithin a #e! months a#ter her #ather4s death& hermother died in gi$ing (irth to the (o%. /ith her last (reath she had commended him to his sister.9ara had (rought him u"ho! she hardl% )ne!. *e had (een e$er%thing to her. The child thather mother had gi$en her !as all her thought. Those !ho start !ith the idea -that "eo"le !ithnought are naught%&- !hose e%es are o##ended (% rags& !hose ears cannot distinguish (et!een$ulgarit% and !ic)edness& and !ho thin) the #irst dut% is care #or sel#& must (e e2cused #rom (elie$ing that 9ara Coulter "assed through all that had (een 0decreed0 #or her !ithout losing hersim"licit% and "urit%. 'ut God is in the (ac) slums as certainl% as"erha"s to some e%es moree$identl% thanin 'elgra$ia. That !hich !as the (urden o# her li#enamel%& the care o# her (rother!as her sal$ation. A#ter hearing her stor%& !hich he had to dra! #rom her& (ecause shehad no im"ulse to tal) a(out hersel#& 9te"hen !ent home to turn the matter o$er in his mind.



The ne2t 9unda%& a#ter he had had his dinner& he !ent out into the same region& and #oundhimsel# at 9ara4s door. 9he !as (us% o$er a garment o# Charle%4s& !ho !as sitting on the (ed!ith hal# a loa# in his hand. /hen he recogni5ed 9te"hen he ?um"ed do!n& and !ould ha$erushed #rom the room+ (ut changing his mind& "ossi(l% (ecause o# the condition o# his lo!erlim(s& he turned& and s"ringing into the (ed& scram(led under the counter"ane& and dre! it o$er

his head.

-I am sorr% to see %ou !or)ing on 9unda%&- 9te"hen said& !ith an em"hasis that re#erred to their "re$ious con$ersation.

-Bou !ould not ha$e the (o% go na)ed- she returned& !ith again a touch o# indignation. 9hehad (een thin)ing ho! easil% a man o# 9te"hen4s social "osition could get him a "lace i# he!ould. Then recollecting her manners& she added& -I should get him (etter clothes i# he had a "lace. /ouldn4t %ou li)e to get a "lace no!& Charle%-

-Bes&- said Charle%& #rom under the counter"ane& and (egan to "ee" at the $isitor.

*e !as not an illloo)ing (o%onl% roguish to a degree. *is e%es& as (lac) as his sister4s& (utonl% hal# as (ig& danced and t!in)led !ith mischie#. Archer !ould ha$e ta)en him o## to hisragged class& (ut e$en o# rags he had not at the moment the com"lement necessar% #oradmittance. *e le#t them& there#ore& !ith a #e! common"laces o# religious "hrase& #alling utterl%meaningless. 'ut he !as not one to con#ine his ministrations to !ords: he !as an honest man.'e#ore the ne2t 9unda% it !as clear to him that he could do nothing #or the soul o# 9ara until hehad ta)en the !eight o# her (rother o## it.

/hen he called the ne2t 9unda% the same $ision "recisel% met his $ie!. 9he might ha$e (eensitting there e$er since& !ith those !onder#ull%"atched trousers in her hands& and the (o% (esideher& gna!ing at his lum" o# (read. 'ut man% a long seam had "assed through her #ingers sincethen& #or she !or)ed at a clothessho" all the !ee) !ith the se!ingmachine& !hence arose the "ossi(ilit% o# "atching Charle%4s clothes& #or the o$erseer granted her a cutting or t!o no! andthen.

A#ter a little chat& 9te"hen "ut the ,uestion:

-I# I #ind a "lace #or Charle%& !ill %ou go to 3ro$idence Cha"el ne2t 9unda%-

-I !ill go 0an%!here0 %ou "lease& Mr. Archer&- she ans!ered& loo)ing u" ,uic)l% !ith a #lushed#ace. 9he !ould ha$e accom"anied him to an% casino in ;ondon ?ust as readil%: her sole thought!as to )ee" Charle% out o# "rison. *er #ather had (een in "rison once+ to )ee" her mother4s childout o# "rison !as the grand o(?ect o# her li#e.

-/ell&- he resumed& !ith some hesitation& #or he had arri$ed at the resolution throughdi##iculties& !hose #ogs %et lingered a(out him& -i# he !ill (e an honest& care#ul (o%& I !ill ta)ehim m%sel#.-



-Charle%@ Charle%@- cried 9ara& utterl% neglect#ul o# the source o# the (ene#action+ and rising& she!ent to the (ed and hugged him.

-Don4t& 9ara@- said Charle%& "etulantl%.

-I don4t !ant girls to s,uash me. ;ea$e go& I sa%. Bou mend m% trousers& and 0I0 4ll ta)e care o# 0m%0sel#.-

-The little !retch@- thought 9te"hen.

9ara returned to her seat& and her needle !ent almost as #ast as her se!ingmachine. A glo! hadarisen no!& and rested on her "ale chee): 9te"hen #ound himsel# staring at a )ind o#trans#iguration& (ac) #rom the ghostl% to the human. *is admiration e2tended itsel# to her de#tand slender #ingers and there (rooded until his conscience in#ormed him that he !as actuall%admiring the (rea)ing o# the 9a((ath+ !hereu"on he rose. 'ut all the time he !as a(out amongstthe rest o# his "eo"le& his thoughts )e"t !andering (ac) to the desolate room& the than)less (o%&

and the ministering !oman. 'e#ore lea$ing& ho!e$er& he had arranged !ith 9ara that she should (ring her (rother to the sho" the ne2t da%.

The a!e !ith !hich she entered it !as not shared (% Charle%& !ho !as ne$er ri"e #or an%thing (ut #rolic. *ad not 9te"hen (een in#luenced (% a desire to do good& and "ossi(l% (% another#eeling too em(r%onic #or detection& he !ould ne$er ha$e dreamed o# ma)ing an errand (o% o# a!illo4the!is". As such& ho!e$er& he !as installed& and #rom that moment an an2iet% un)no!n (e#ore too) "ossession o# 9te"hen4s (osom. *e !as ne$er at ease& #or he ne$er )ne! !hat the (o% might (e a(out. *e !ould ha$e "arted !ith him the #irst #ortnight& (ut the idea o# the "risonhad "assed #rom 9ara4s heart into his& and he sa! that to turn the (o% a!a% #rom his #irst "lace!ould (e to accelerate his gra$itation thither!ard. *e had all the tric)s o# a ne!s"a"er (o%indigenous in him. e"eated !ere the com"laints (rought to the sho". ne time the "a"er !asthro!n do!n the area& and (rought into the (rea)#astroom de#iled !ith !et. At another it !as#ound on the doorste"& !ithout the (ell ha$ing (een rung& !hich could hardl% ha$e (een #rom#orget#ulness& #or Charle%4s delight !as to set the (ell ringing #uriousl%& and then !ait till thecoo) a""eared& ta)ing good care ho!e$er to lea$e s"ace (et!een them #or a start. 9ometimes the "a"er !as not deli$ered at all& and 9te"hen could not hel" sus"ecting that he had sold it in thestreet. Bet (oth #or his sa)e and 9ara4s he endured& and did not e$en (o2 his ears. The (o% hardl%seemed to (e !ic)ed: the s"irit that "ossessed him !as rather a 0"oltergeist0& as the Germans!ould call it& than a demon.

Meantime& the 9unda% a#ter Charle%4s a""ointment& Archer& seated in his "e!& searched all thecha"el #or the #ul#ilment o# 9ara4s "art o# the agreement& namel%& her "resence. 'ut he could seeher no!here. The #act !as& her "romise !as so eas% that she had scarcel% thought o# it a#ter& notsus"ecting that 9te"hen laid an% stress u"on its #ul#ilment& and& indeed& not )no!ing !here thecha"el !as. 9he had managed to (u% a hit o# something o# the shodd% s"ecies& and !hile 9te"hen!as loo)ing #or her in the cha"el& she !as ma)ing a ?ac)et #or Charle%. Greatl% disa""ointed& andchie#l%& I do (elie$e& that she had not )e"t her !ord& 9te"hen !ent in the a#ternoon to call u"onher.



*e #ound her !or)ing a!a% as (e#ore& and sa$ing time (% ta)ing her dinner !hile she !or)ed&#or a "iece o# (read la% on the ta(le (% her el(o!& and (eside it a little (ro!n sugar to ma)e the (read go do!n. The sight !ent to 9te"hen4s heart& #or he had ?ust made his dinner o## (a)edmutton and "otatoes& !ashed do!n !ith his hal#"int o# stout.

-9ara@- he said solemnl%& -%ou "romised to come to our cha"el& and %ou ha$e not )e"t %our!ord.- *e ne$er thought that -our cha"el- !as not the landmar) o# the region.

-h& Mr. Archer&- she ans!ered& -I didn4t )no! as %ou cared a(out it. 'ut&- she !ent on& risingand "ushing her (read on one side to ma)e room #or her !or)& -I4ll "ut on m% (onnet directl%.-Then she chec)ed hersel#& and added& -h@ I (eg %our "ardon& sirI4m so sha((%@ Bou couldn4t (e seen !ith the li)es o# me.-

It touched 9te"hen4s chi$alr%and something dee"er than chi$alr%. *e had had no intention o#!al)ing !ith her.

-There4s no cha"el in the a#ternoon&- he said+ -(ut I4ll come and #etch %ou in the e$ening.-

Thus it came a(out that 9ara !as seated in 9te"hen4s "e!& ne2t to 9te"hen himsel#& and 9te"hen#elt a strange "leasure un)no!n (e#ore& li)e that o# the she"herd !ho ha$ing (rought the stra% (ac) to the #old cares little that its !ool is torn (% the (ushes& and it loo)s a ragged anddisre"uta(le shee". It !as onl% 9ara4s !ool that might seem disre"uta(le& #or she !as a $er%good#aced shee". *e #ound the h%mns #or her& and the% shared the same (oo). *e did not )no!then that 9ara could not read a !ord o# them.

The gathered "eo"le& the stillness& the gaslights& the solemn ascent o# the minister into the "ul"it&the heart% singing o# the congregation& dou(tless had their e##ect u"on 9ara& #or she had ne$er (een to a cha"el and hardl% to an% "lace o# assem(l% (e#ore. From all amusements& the (urden o# Charle% and her o!n retiring nature had )e"t her (ac).

'ut she could ma)e nothing o# the sermon. 9he con#essed a#ter!ards that she did not )no! shehad an%thing to do !ith it. ;i)e -the >orthern Farmer&- she too) it all #or the clerg%man4s (usiness& !hich she amongst the rest had to see done. 9he did not e$en !onder !h% 9te"henshould ha$e !anted to (ring her there. 9he sat !hen other "eo"le sat& "retended to )neel !henother "eo"le "retended to )neel& and stood u" !hen other "eo"le stood u"still (rooding u"onCharle%4s ?ac)et.

'ut Archer4s #eelings !ere not those he had e2"ected. *e had (rought her& intending her to (edone good to+ (ut (e#ore the sermon !as o$er he !ished he had not (rought her. *e resisted the#eeling #or a long time& (ut at length %ielded to it entirel%+ the o(?ect o# his solicitude all the!hile conscious onl% o# the lighted stillness and the ne! (arrier (et!een Charle% and >e!gate.The #act !ith regard to 9te"hen !as that a certain hard 0"an0& occasioned (% continual "loughings to the same de"th and no dee"er& in the soil o# his mind& (egan this night to (e (ro)enu" #rom !ithin& and that through the "resence o# a %oung !oman !ho did not #or hersel# "uttogether t!o !ords o# the !hole discourse.



The "astor !as "reaching u"on the sa%ing o# 9t. 3aul& that he could !ish himsel# accursed #romChrist #or his (rethren. Great "art o# his sermon !as an attem"t to "ro$e that he could not ha$emeant !hat his !ords im"lied. For the "reacher4s mind !as so #illed !ith the su""osed "aramount dut% o# sa$ing his o!n soul& that the enthusiasm o# the A"ostle !as sim"l% incredi(le.;istening !ith that !oman (% his side& 9te"hen #or the #irst time gre! dou(t#ul o# the !isdom o#

his "astor. >or could he endure that such should (e the #irst doctrine 9ara heard #rom his li"s.Thus !as he alread% and grandl% re"aid #or his )indness+ #or the "resence o# a !oman !ho!ithout an% conscious religion !as to hersel# a la! o# lo$e& (rought him so #ar into s%m"ath%!ith the might% soul o# 9t. 3aul& that #rom that moment the (lessing o# dou(t !as at !or) in his&undermining "rison !alls.

*e !al)ed home !ith 9ara almost in silence& #or he #ound it im"ossi(le to im"ress u"on herthose "arts o# the sermon !ith !hich he had no #ault to #ind& lest she should retort u"on that one "oint. The arro!s !hich 9ara esca"ed& ho!e$er& could #rom her ignorance ha$e struc) her onl%!ith their #eather end.

Things "roceeded in much the same #ashion #or a !hile. Charle% !ent home at night to hissister4s lodging& generall% more than t!o hours a#ter lea$ing the sho"& (ut ga$e her no ne!ground o# com"laint. $er% 9unda% e$ening 9ara !ent to the cha"el& ta)ing Charle% !ith her!hen she could "ersuade him to go+ and& in o(edience !ith the su""osed !ish o# 9te"hen& sat inhis "e!. *e did not go home !ith her an% more #or a !hile& and indeed $isited her (ut seldom&an2ious to a$oid scandal& more es"eciall% as he !as a deacon.

'ut no! that Charle% !as so #ar sa#e& 9ara4s chee) (egan to generate a little o# that celestial ros%red !hich is the (lossom o# the !oman"lant& although a#ter all it hardl% e,ualled the heart o# the (lush rose. 9he gre! a little rounder in #orm too& #or she li$ed rather (etter no!&(u%ing hersel#a rasher o# (acon t!ice a !ee). *ence she (egan to (e in more danger& as an% one ac,uainted!ith her surroundings !ill easil% com"rehend. 'ut !hat seemed at #irst the ruin o# her ho"esdissi"ated this danger.

ne e$ening& !hen she returned #rom her !or)& she #ound 9te"hen in her room. 9he made himthe su(missi$e grate#ul salutation& hal# courtes%& hal# (o!& !ith !hich she al!a%s greeted him&and a!aited his !ill.

-I am $er% sorr% to ha$e to tell %ou& 9ara& that %our (rother-

9he turned !hite as a shroud& and her great (lac) e%es gre! greater and (lac)er as she stared inagoni5ed e2"ectanc% !hile 9te"hen hesitated in search o# a (etter #orm o# communication.Finding none& he (lurted out the #act

-has ro((ed me& and run a!a%.-

-Don4t send him to "rison& Mr. Archer&- shrie)ed 9ara& and laid hersel# on the #loor at his #eet!ith a gro$elling motion& as i# stri$ing !ith her mother earth #or com#ort. There !as not a #ilm o# art in this. 9he had ne$er (een to a theatre. The natural urging o# li#e ga$e the truest sha"e to herentreat%. *er "osture !as the result o# the same #eeling !hich made the nations o# old (ring their



sacri#ices to the altar o# a deit% !ho& "ossi(l% (ene$olent in the main& had %et cause to (einimical to them. From the "rostrate li$ing sacri#ice arose the one "ra%er& -Don4t send him to "rison+ don4t send him to "rison@-

9te"hen ga5ed at her in (e!ildered admiration& hal# di$ine and all human. A certain

consciousness o# "o!er had& I con#ess& a "art in his silence& (ut the onl% de#inite sha"e thisconsciousness too) !as o# (ene#icence. Attri(uting his silence to un!illingness& 9ara got hal#!a% #rom the groundthat is& to her )neesand li#ted a #ace o# utter entreat% to the sight o#9te"hen. I !ill not sa% !ords #ail me to descri(e the intensit% o# its "ra%er& #or !ords #ail me todescri(e the commonest "henomenon o# nature: all I can is to sa%& that it made 9te"hen4s hearttoo large #or its con#ining !alls. -Mr. Archer&- she said& in a $oice hollo! !ith emotion& -I !illdo 0an%thing0 %ou li)e. I !ill (e %our sla$e. Don4t send Charle% to "rison.-

The !ords !ere s"o)en !ith a certain strange dignit% o# sel#a(negation. It is not alone thecountr% "eo"le o# Cum(erland or o# 9cotland& !ho in their highest moments are ca"a(le o# "oetic utterance.

An indescri(a(le thrill o# conscious delight shot through the #rame o# 9te"hen as the !omans"o)e the !ords. 'ut the gentleman in him trium"hed. I !ould ha$e said 0the Christian0& #or!hate$er there !as in 9te"hen o# the 0gentle0 !as there in $irtue o# the 0Christian0& onl% he#ailed in one "oint: instead o# sa%ing at once& that he had no intention o# "rosecuting the (o%& he "retended& I (elie$e #rom the satanic delight in "o!er that "ossesses e$er% man o# us& that he!ould turn it o$er in his mind. It might ha$e (een more dangerous& (ut it !ould ha$e (een moredi$ine& i# he had li#ted the )neeling !oman to his heart& and told her that not #or the !ealth o# animagination !ould he "roceed against her (rother. The di$init%& ho!e$er& !as ta)ing its course& (oth roughhe!ing and sha"ing the ends o# the t!o.

9he rose #rom the ground& sat on the one chair& !ith her #ace to the !all& and !e"t& hel"lessl%&!ith the added sting& "erha"s& o# a #aint "ersonal disa""ointment. 9te"hen #ailed to attract hernotice& and le#t the room. 9he started u" !hen she heard the door close& and #le! to o"en it& (ut!as onl% in time to hear the outer door. 9he sat do!n and cried again.

9te"hen had gone to #ind the (o% i# he might& and (ring him to his sister. *e ought to ha$e saidso& #or to "ermit su##ering #or the sa)e o# a ?o%#ul sur"rise is not good. Going home #irst& he !ashardl% seated in his room& to turn o$er not the matter (ut the means& !hen a )noc) came to thesho"door& the sole entrance& and there !ere t!o "olicemen (ringing the deserter in a ca(. *ehad (een run o$er in the $er% act o# decam"ing !ith the contents o# the till& had lain all (utinsensi(le at the hos"ital !hile his (ro)en leg !as (eing set& (ut& as soon as he came to himsel#&had gone into such a #ur% o# determination to return to his master& that the housesurgeon sa!that the onl% chance #or the ungo$erna(le creature !as to %ield. 3erha"s he had some dim idea o# restoring the mone% ere his master should ha$e disco$ered its loss. As he !as $er% little& the%made a couch #or him in the ca(& and so sent him.

It !ould a""ear that the su##ering and the #aintness had gi$en his conscience a chance o# (eingheard. The accident !as to Charle% !hat the sight o# the mountain"ea) !as to the (o%/ords!orth. *e !as delirious !hen he arri$ed& and instead o# sho!ing an% contrition to!ards



his master& onl% testi#ied an e2tra$agant ?o% at #inding him again. 9te"hen had him ta)en into the (ac) room& and laid u"on his o!n (ed. ne o# the "olicemen #etched the char!oman& and !henshe arri$ed& 9te"hen !ent to #ind 9ara.

9he !as sitting almost as he had le#t her& !ith a dull& ho"eless loo).

-I am sorr% to sa% Charle% has had an accident&- he said.

9he started u" and clas"ed her hands.

-*e is not in "rison- she "anted in a hus)% $oice.

->o+ he is at m% house. Come and see him. I don4t thin) he is in an% danger& (ut his leg is (ro)en.-

A gleam o# ?o% crossed 9ara4s countenance. 9he did not mind the (ro)en leg& #or he !as sa#e

#rom her terror. 9he "ut on her (onnet& tied the strings !ith trem(ling hands& and !ent !ith9te"hen.

-Bou see God !ants to )ee" him out o# "rison too&- he said& as the% !al)ed along the street.

'ut to 9ara this hardl% con$e%ed an idea. 9he !al)ed (% his side in silence.

-Charle%@ Charle%@- she cried& !hen she sa! him !hite on the (ed& rolling his head #rom side toside. Charle% ordered her a!a% !ith !ords a!#ul to hear& (ut !hich #rom him meant no morethan !ords o# ordinar% tem"er in the mouth o# the !ellnurtured man or !oman. 9he had s"oiledand indulged him all his li#e& and no! #or the #irst time she !as nothing to him& !hile the master!ho had lectured and restrained him !as e$er%thing. /hen the surgeon !anted to change hisdressings& he !ould not let him touch them till his master came. 'e#ore he !as a(le to lea$e his (ed& he had de$elo"ed #or 9te"hen a terrierli)e attachment. 'ut& a#ter the #irst #e$erishness !aso$er& his sister !aited u"on him.

9te"hen got a lodging& and a(andoned his (ac) room to the (rother and sister. 'ut he had toattend to his sho"& and there#ore sa! much o# (oth o# them. Finding then to his astonishment that9ara could not read& he ga$e all his odd moments to her instruction& and her mind (eing at resta(out Charle% so long as she had him in (ed& her s"irit had leisure to thin) o# other things.

9he learned ra"idl%. The lesson(oo) !as o# course the >e! Testament+ and 9te"hen soondisco$ered that 9ara4s ,uestions& mo$ing his "it% at #irst (ecause o# the ignorance the% dis"la%ed&al!a%s le#t him thin)ing a(out some "oint that had ne$er occurred to him (e#ore+ so that atlength he regarded 9ara as a (eing o# su"erior intelligence !a%laid and o(structed (% un#riendl% "o!ers u"on her "ath to!ards the threshold o# the )ingdom& !hile she loo)ed u" to him as toone su"reme in )no!ledge as in goodness. 'ut she ne$er could understand the "astor. This!ould ha$e (een a great trou(le to 9te"hen& had not his $anit% (een #lattered (% herunderstanding o# himsel#. *e did not consider that gro!ing lo$e had enlightened his e%es to seeinto her heart& and ena(led him thus to use an ordinar% human language #or the em(odiment o#



commonsense ideas+ !hereas the s"eech o# the "astor contained such an admi2ture o#technicalities as to (e unintelligi(le to the neo"h%te.

9te"hen !as no! distressed to #ind that !hereas #ormerl% he had recei$ed e$er%thing !ithout,uestion that his minister s"o)e& he no! in general !ent home in a dou(ting& ,uestioning mood&

(egotten o# as)ing himsel# !hat 9ara !ould sa%. *e #eared at #irst that the old Adam !as (eginning to get the u""er hand o# him& and that 9atan !as la%ing snares #or his soul. 'ut !henhe #ound at the same time that his conscience !as gro!ing more scru"ulous concerning his (usiness a##airs& his ho"e s"routed a#resh.

ne da%& a#ter Charle% had (een out #or the #irst time& 9ara& !ith a little tremor o# $oice andmanner& addressed 9te"hen thus:

-I shall ta)e Charle% home tomorro!& i# %ou "lease& Mr. Archer.-

-Bou don4t mean to sa%& 9ara& %ou4$e (een "a%ing #or those lodgings all this time- hal#as)ed&

hal#e2claimed 9te"hen.

-Bes& Mr. Archer. /e& must ha$e some!here to go to. It ain4t eas% to get a room at an% moment&no! them rail!a%s is e$er%!heres.-

-'ut I ho"e as ho! %ou4re com#orta(le !here %ou are& 9ara-

-Bes& Mr. Archer. 'ut !hat am I to do #or all %our )indness-

-Bou can "a% me all in a lum"& i# %ou li)e& 9ara. nl% %ou don4t o!e me nothing.-

*er colour came and !ent. 9he !as not used to men. 9he could not tell !hat he !ould ha$e herunderstand& and could not hel" trem(ling.

-/hat do %ou mean& Mr. Archer- she #altered out.

-I mean %ou can gi$e me %oursel#& 9ara& and that4ll clear all scores.-

-'ut& Mr. Archer%ou4$e (een ateaching o# me good thingsBou 0don4t0 mean to marr% me@-e2claimed 9ara& (ursting into tears.

-# course I do& 9ara. Don4t cr% a(out it. I !on4t i# %ou don4t li)e.-

This is ho! 9te"hen came to change his mind a(out his stoc) in trade.

Translations From >o$alis: A 3ara(le



;ong ago& there li$ed #ar to the !est a $er% %oung man& good& (ut e2tremel% odd. *e tormentedhimsel# continuall% a(out this nothing and that nothing& al!a%s !al)ed in silence and straight (e#ore him& sat do!n alone !hen the others !ere at their s"orts and merr%ma)ings& and (roodedo$er strange things. Ca$es and !oods !ere his dearest haunts+ and there he tal)ed on and on !ith (easts and (irds& !ith trees and roc)so# course not one rational !ord& (ut mere idiotic stu##& to

ma)e one laugh to death. *e continued& ho!e$er& al!a%s mood% and serious& in s"ite o# theutmost "ains that the s,uirrel& the mon)e%& the "arrot& and the (ull#inch could ta)e to di$ert him&and set him in the right !a%. The goose told stories& the (roo) ?ingled a (allad (et!een& a greatthic) stone cut ridiculous ca"ers& the rose stole lo$ingl% a(out him #rom (ehind and cre"t throughhis loc)s& !hile the i$% stro)ed his trou(led (ro!. 'ut his melanchol% and gra$it% !ere stu((orn.*is "arents !ere much trou(led& and did not )no! !hat to do. *e !as in good health& and ate!ell enough+ the% had ne$er caused him an% o##ence+ and& until a #e! %ears ago& he had (een theli$eliest and merriest o# them all& #oremost in all their games& and a #a$ourite !ith all themaidens. *e !as $er% handsome& loo)ed li)e a "icture& and danced li)e an angel. Amongst themaidens !as one& a charming and (eauti#ul creature& !ho loo)ed li)e !a2& had hair li)e goldensil)& and cherr%red li"s& !as a doll #or si5e& and had coal(lac)& %es& ra$en(lac) e%es. /hoe$er

sa! her !as read% to s!oon& she !as so lo$el%. >o! ose(ud& #or that !as her name& !asheartil% #ond o# the handsome *%acinth& #or that !as his name& and he lo$ed her #it to die. Theother children )ne! nothing o# it. A $iolet told them o# it #irst. The little housecats had (een,uite a!are o# it& #or the houses o# their "arents la% near each other. 9o !hen *%acinth stood atnight (% his !indo!& and ose(ud at hers& and the cats ran "ast mousehunting& the% sa! the t!ostanding there& and o#ten laughed and tittered so loud that the% heard it and !ere o##ended. The$iolet told it in con#idence to the stra!(err%& and she told it to her #riend& the ras"(err%& !hone$er ceased ras"ing !hen *%acinth came along+ so that (% and (% the !hole garden and !ood!ere in the secret& and !hen *%acinth !ent out& he heard on all sides the cr%: -;ittle os% is m% "os%@- This $e2ed him+ (ut the ne2t moment he could not hel" laughing #rom the (ottom o# hisheart& !hen the little li5ard came sli""ing along& sat do!n on a !arm stone& !aggled his tail& andsang

-;ittle ose(ud& good and !ise&All at once has lost her e%es:Ta)ing *%acinth #or her mother&ound his nec) her arms she #lings+Then "ercei$ing 4tis another9tarts !ith terrorno& (ut clingsThin) o# that@#ast as (e#ore&nl% )issing all the more@-

Alas& ho! soon !as the grand time o$er@ There came a man out o# strange lands& !ho hadtra$elled !ondrous #ar and !ide& had a long (eard& dee" e%es& #right#ul e%e(ro!s& and a strangegarment !ith man% #olds& and in!o$en !ith curious #igures. *e seated himsel# (e#ore the houseo# *%acinth4s "arents. *%acinth at once (ecame $er% in,uisiti$e& and sat do!n (eside him& and (rought him (read and !ine. Then "arted he his !hite (eard& and told stories dee" into the night+and *%acinth ne$er stirred or tired o# listening. This much the% learned a#ter!ard& that he tal)ed



a great deal a(out strange lands& un)no!n countries& and ama5ingl% !onder#ul things+ sto""edthere three da%s& and cre"t !ith *%acinth do!n into dee" sha#ts. ;ittle ose(ud e2ecrated the oldsorcerer "rett% thoroughl%& #or *%acinth !as altogether a(sor(ed in his con$ersation& and "aid noheed to an%thing else& hardl% e$en to the s!allo!ing o# a mouth#ul o# #ood. At length the mantoo) his de"arture& (ut le#t !ith *%acinth a little (oo) !hich no man could read. *%acinth ga$e

him #ruit& and (read& and !ine to ta)e !ith him& and accom"anied him a long !a%. Then he came (ac) sun) in thought& and therea#ter too) u" a ,uite ne! mode o# li#e. ose(ud !as in a $er% sad!a% a(out him& #or #rom that time #or!ard he made little o# her& and )e"t himsel# al!a%s tohimsel#. 'ut it came to "ass that one da% he came home& and !as li)e one (orn again. *e #ell onhis "arents4 nec) and !e"t. -I must a!a% to a #oreign land@- he said: -the strange old !oman inthe !ood has told me !hat I must do to get !ell+ she has thro!n the (oo) into the #ire& and hasmade me come to %ou to as) %our (lessing. 3erha"s I shall (e (ac) soon& "erha"s ne$er more.9a% good(%e to ose(ud #or me. I should ha$e (een glad to ha$e a tal) !ith her+ I do not )no!!hat has come to me: I must go@ /hen I !ould thin) to recall old times& immediatel% comethoughts more "otent in (et!een+ m% rest is gone& and m% heart and lo$e !ith it+ and I must go#ind them@ I !ould gladl% tell %ou !hither& (ut do not m%sel# )no!+ it is !here d!ells the mother

o# things& the $irgin !ith the $eil+ #or her m% s"irit is on #ire. Fare!ell@- *e tore himsel# #romthem& and !ent out. *is "arents lamented and shed tears. ose(ud )e"t her cham(er& and !e"t (itterl%.

*%acinth no! ran& as #ast as he could& through $alle%s and !ildernesses& o$er mountains andstreams& to!ard the land o# m%ster%. $er%!here he in,uiredo# men and (easts& o# roc)s andtrees&a#ter the sacred goddess Isis. Man% laughed& man% held their "eace+ no!here did he get anans!er. At #irst he "assed through a rugged !ild countr%+ mists and clouds thre! themsel$es inhis !a%& (ut he rushed on im"etuousl%. Then he came to (oundless deserts o# sandmereglo!ing dust+ and as he !ent his mood changed also+ the time (ecame tedious to him& and hisin!ard unrest a(ated+ he gre! gentler& and the storm% im"ulse in him "assed (% degrees into amild %et "o!er#ul attraction& !herein his !hole s"irit !as dissol$ed. It seemed as i# man% %earsla% (ehind him.

And no! the countr% (ecame again richer and more $aried& the air so#t and (lue& the !a%smoother. Green (ushes enticed him !ith their "leasant shado!s& (ut he did not understand theirs"eech+ the% seemed indeed not to s"ea)& and %et the% #illed his heart !ith their green hues& andtheir cool& still "resence. $er higher in him !a2ed that same s!eet longing& and e$er (roaderand ?uicier gre! the lea$es& e$er louder and more ?ocund the (irds and (easts& (almier the #ruits&dar)er the hea$enl% (lue& !armer the air& and more ardent his lo$e. The time !ent e$er #aster& asi# it )ne! itsel# near the goal.

ne da% he met a cr%stal ri$ulet& and a multitude o# #lo!ers& coming do!n into a $alle% (et!eendar)& columnar cli##s. The% greeted him #riendlil%& !ith #amiliar !ords. -Dear countr%#ol)&- saidhe& -!here shall I #ind the sacred d!elling o# Isis *erea(outs it must (e& and here& I guess& %ouare more at home than I.- -/e also are (ut "assing through&- re"lied the #lo!ers+ -a s"irit#amil%is on its tra$els& and !e are "re"aring #or them their road and ,uarters. A little !a% (ac)&ho!e$er& !e "assed through a countr% !here !e heard her name mentioned. nl% go u"& !here!e came do!n& and thou !ilt soon learn more.- The #lo!ers and the (roo) smiled as the% said it&o##ered him a cool draught& and !ent on their !a%. *%acinth #ollo!ed their counsel& )e"t as)ing&



and came at last to that d!elling he had sought so long& !hich la% hid among "alms and otherrare "lants. *is heart (eat !ith an in#inite longing& and the s!eetest a""rehension thrilled him inthis a(ode o# the eternal seasons. Amid hea$enl% odours he #ell aslee"& #or Dream alone couldlead him into the hol% o# holies. In mar$ellous mode Dream conducted him through endlessrooms #ull o# strange things& (% means o# !itching sounds and change#ul harmonies. All seemed

to him so #amiliar& and %et strange !ith an un)no!n s"lendour+ then $anished the last #ilm o# the "erisha(le as i# melted into air& and he stood (e#ore the celestial $irgin. Then he li#ted the thinglistening $eil& and ose(ud san) into his arms. A #aro## music surrounded the m%steries o#lo$e4s reunion and the out"ouring o# their longings& and shut out #rom the scene o# their ra"turee$er%thing alien to it.

*%acinth li$ed a long time a#ter !ith ose(ud and his ha""% "arents and old "la%mates+ andnum(erless grandchildren than)ed the !onder#ul old !ise !oman #or her counsel and heru"rousing+ #or in those da%s "eo"le had as man% children as the% "leased.

=ncle Cornelius *is 9tor%

It !as a dull e$ening in >o$em(er. A dri55ling mist had (een #alling all da% a(out the old #arm.*arr% *e%!ood and his t!o sisters sat in the house"lace& e2"ecting a $isit #rom their uncle&Cornelius *e%!ood. This uncle li$ed alone& occu"%ing the #irst #loor a(o$e a chemist4s sho" inthe to!n& and had ?ust enough o# mone% o$er to (u% (oo)s that no(od% seemed e$er to ha$eheard o# (ut himsel#+ #or he !as a student in all those regions o# s"eculation in !hich an%thing to (e called )no!ledge is im"ossi(le.

-/hat a drear% night@- said <ate. -I !ish uncle !ould come and tell us a stor%.-

-A cheer#ul !ish&- said *arr%. -=ncle Cornie is a li$el% com"anionisn4t he *e cant e$en (lunder through a oe Miller !ithout tac)ing a moral to it& and then tr%ing to "ersuade %ou thatthe ?o)e o# it de"ends on the moral.-

-*ere he comes@- said <ate& as three distinct (lo!s !ith the )no( o# his !al)ingstic)announced the arri$al o# =ncle Cornelius. 9he ran to the door to o"en it.

The air had (een $er% still all da%& (ut as he entered he seemed to ha$e (rought the !ind !ithhim& #or the #irst moan o# it "ressed against rather than shoo) the casement o# the lo!ceiledroom.

=ncle Cornelius !as $er% tall& and $er% thin& and $er% "ale& !ith large gra% e%es that loo)edgreatl% larger (ecause he !ore s"ectacles o# the most delicate hairsteel& !ith the largest "e((lee%es that e$er !ere seen. *e ga$e them a )indl% greeting& (ut too much in earnest e$en insha)ing hands to smile o$er it. *e sat do!n in the armchair (% the chimne% corner.

I ha$e (een "articular in m% descri"tion o# him& in order that m% reader ma% gi$e due !eight tohis !ords. I am such a (elie$er in !ords& that I (elie$e e$er%thing de"ends on !ho sa%s them.=ncle Cornelius *e%!ood4s stor% told !ord #or !ord (% =ncle Timoth% /arren& !ould not ha$e



(een the same stor% at all. >ot one o# the listeners !ould ha$e (elie$ed a s%lla(le o# it #rom theli"s o# round(odied& red#aced& smalle%ed& little =ncle Tim+ !hereas #rom =ncle Corniedis(elie$e one o# his stories i# %ou could@

ne !ord more concerning him. *is interest in e$er%thing con?ectured or (elie$ed relati$e to the

a!#ul (orderland o# this !orld and the ne2t& !as onl% e,ualled (% his disgust at the $ulgar&unimaginati$e #orms !hich curiosit% a(out such su(?ects has assumed in the "resent da%. /ith a%earning a#ter the unseen li)e that o# a child #or the li#ting o# the curtain o# a theatre& he declaredthat& rather than acce"t such a s"irit!orld as the !ould(e seers o# the nineteenth centur%thought or "retended to re$eal&the "ro"hets o# a "au"erised& !or)house immortalit%& in$ented (% a "o$ert%stric)en soul& and a sense so greed% that it !ould gorge on carrion&he !ouldre?oice to (elie$e that a man had ?ust as much o# a soul as the ca((age o# Iam(lichus& namel%& anaerial dou(le o# his (od%.

-I4m so glad %ou4re come& uncle@- said <ate. -/h% !ouldn4t %ou come to dinner /e ha$e (eenso gloom%@-

-/ell& <ate%& %ou )no! I don4t admire eating. I ne$er could (ear to see a co! tearing u" thegrass !ith her long tongue.- As he s"o)e he loo)ed $er% much li)e a co!. *e had a !a% o#o"ening his ?a!s !hile he )e"t his li"s closel% "ressed together& that made his chee)s #all in& andhis #ace loo) a!#ull% long and dismal. -I consider eating&- he !ent on& -such an animal e2ercisethat it ought al!a%s to (e "er#ormed in "ri$ate. Bou ne$er sa! me dine& <ate.-

->e$er& uncle+ (ut I ha$e seen %ou drin)+nothing (ut !ater& I must con#ess.-

-Bes that is another a##air. According to one e%e!itness that is no more than the disem(odied cando. I must con#ess& ho!e$er& that& although !ell attested& the stor% is to me scarcel% credi(le.Fanc% a glass o# 'a$arian (eer li#ted into the air !ithout a $isi(le hand& turned u"side do!n& andset em"t% on the ta(le@and no s"lash on the #loor or an%!here else@-

A solitar% gleam o# humour shone through the great e%es o# the s"ectacles as he s"o)e.

-h& uncle@ ho! can %ou (elie$e such nonsense@- said anet.

-I did not sa% I (elie$ed itdid I 'ut !h% not The stor% has at least a touch o# imagination init.-

-That is a strange reason #or (elie$ing a thing& uncle&- said *arr%.

-Bou might ha$e a !orse& *arr%. I grant it is not su##icient+ (ut it is (etter than that common"laceas"ect !hich is the ground o# most #aith. I (elie$e I did sa% that the stor% "u55led me.-

-'ut ho! can %ou gi$e it an% ,uarter at all& uncle-

-It does me no harm. There it is(et!een the (oards o# an old German (oo). There let itremain.-



-/ell& %ou !ill ne$er "ersuade me to (elie$e such things&- said anet.

-/ait till I as) %ou& anet&- returned her uncle& gra$el%. -I ha$e not the slightest desire tocon$ince %ou. *o! did !e get into this un"ro#ita(le current o# tal) /e !ill change it at once.

*o! are consols& *arr%-

-h& uncle@- said <ate& -!e !ere longing #or a stor%& and ?ust as I thought %ou !ere coming toone& o## %ou go to consols@-

-I thought a ghost stor% at least !as coming&- said anet.

-Bou did %our (est to sto" it& anet&- said *arr%.

anet (egan an angr% retort& (ut Cornelius interru"ted her. -Bou ne$er heard me tell a ghost stor%&anet.-

-Bou ha$e ?ust told one a(out a drin)ing ghost& uncle&- said anetin such a tone that Corneliusre"lied

-/ell& ta)e that #or %our stor%& and let us tal) o# something else.-

anet a""arentl% sa! that she had (een rude& and said as s!eetl% as she might-Ah@ (ut %oudidn4t ma)e that one& uncle. Bou got it out o# a German (oo).-

-Ma)e it@Ma)e a ghost stor%@- re"eated Cornelius. ->o+ that I ne$er did.-

-9uch things are not to (e tri#led !ith& are the%- said anet.

-I at least ha$e no inclination to tri#le !ith them.-

-'ut& reall% and trul%& uncle&- "ersisted anet& -%ou don4t (elie$e in such things-

-/h% should I either (elie$e or dis(elie$e in them The% are not essential to sal$ation& I "resume.-

-Bou must do the one or the other& I su""ose.-

-I (eg %our "ardon. Bou su""ose !rong. It !ould ta)e t!ice the "roo# I ha$e e$er had to ma)eme (elie$e in them+ and e2actl% %our "re?udice& and allo! me to sa% ignorance& to ma)e medis(elie$e in them. >either is !ithin m% reach. I "ost"one ?udgment. 'ut %ou& %oung "eo"le& o#course& are !iser& and )no! all a(out the ,uestion.-

-h& uncle@ I4m so sorr%@- said <ate. -I4m sure I did not mean to $e2 %ou.-

->ot at all& not at all& m% dear.It !asn4t %ou.-



-Do %ou )no!&- <ate !ent on& an2ious to "re$ent an%thing un"leasant& #or there !as something$er% (lac) "erched on anet4s #orehead& -I ha$e ta)en to reading a(out that )ind o# thing.-

-I (eg %ou !ill gi$e it u" at once. Bou !ill (e!ilder %our (rains till %ou are read% to (elie$e

an%thing& i# onl% it (e a(surd enough. >a%& %ou ma% come to #ind the element o# $ulgarit%essential to (elie#. I should (e sorr% to the heart to (elie$e concerning a horse or dog !hat the%tell %ou no!ada%s a(out 9ha)es"eare and 'urns. /hat ha$e %ou (een reading& m% girl-

-Don4t (e alarmed& uncle. nl% some *ighland legends& !hich are too a(surd either #or m% (elie# or #or %our theories.-

-I don4t )no! that& <ate.-

-/h%& !hat could %ou do !ith such sha"eless creatures as haunt their #ords and "ools #orinstance The% are as #eatureless as the #aces o# the mountains.-

-And so much the more terri(le.-

-'ut that does not ma)e it easier to (elie$e in them&- said *arr%.

-I onl% said&- returned his uncle& -that their sha"elessness adds to their horror.-

-'ut %ou allo!edalmost& at least& uncle&- said <ate& -that %ou could #ind a "lace in %ourtheories e$en #or those sha"eless creatures.-

Cornelius sat silent #or a moment+ then& ha$ing #irst dou(led the length o# his #ace& and restored itto its natural condition& said thought#ull%& -I sus"ect& <ate%& i# %ou !ere to come u"on anichth%osaurus or a "terodact%l aslee" in the shu((er%& %ou !ould hardl% e2"ect %our re"ort o# itto (e (elie$ed all at once either (% *arr% or anet.-

-I su""ose not& uncle. 'ut I can4t see !hat-

-# course such a thing could not ha""en here and no!. 'ut there !as a time !hen and a "lace!here such a thing ma% ha$e ha""ened. Indeed& in m% time& a tra$eller or t!o ha$e got "rett%soundl% dis(elie$ed #or re"orting !hat the% sa!&the last o# an e2"iring race& !hich had stra%edo$er the natural $erge o# its histor%& coming to li#e in some neglected s!am"& itsel# a remnant o#the slime o# Chaos.-

-I ne$er heard %ou tal) li)e that (e#ore& uncle&- said *arr%. -I# %ou go on li)e that& %ou4ll land mein a s!am"& I4m a#raid.-

-I !asn4t tal)ing to %ou at all& *arr%. <ate challenged me to #ind a "lace #or )el"ies& and suchli)e& in the theories she does me the honour o# su""osing I culti$ate.-



-Then %ou thin)& uncle& that all these stories are onl% legends !hich& i# %ou could #ollo! themu"& !ould lead %ou (ac) to some one o# the a!#ul monsters that ha$e since ,uite disa""eared#rom the earth.-

-It is "ossi(le those stories ma% (e such legends+ (ut that !as not !hat I intended to lead %ou to.

I ga$e %ou that onl% as something li)e !hat I am going to sa% no!. /hat i#&mind& I onl%suggest it&!hat i# the dire#ul creatures& !hose re"ort lingers in these tales& should ha$e an origin#ar older still /hat i# the% !ere the remnants o# a $anishing "eriod o# the earth4s histor% longantecedent to the (irth o# mastodon and iguanodon+ a stage& namel%& !hen the !orld& as !e callit& had not %et (ecome ,uite $isi(le& !as not %et so #ar #inished as to "art #rom the in$isi(le !orldthat !as its mother& and !hich& on its "art& had not then (ecome ,uite in$isi(le!as onl% almostsuch+ and !hen& as a credi(le conse,uence& strange sha"es o# those no! in$isi(le regions&Gorgons and Chimaeras dire& might (e e2"ected to gloom out occasionall% #rom the a!#ul Faunao# an e$ergenerating !orld u"on that one !hich !as (eing (orn o# it. *ence& the li#e"eriods o#a !orld (eing long and slo!& some o# these huge& un#ormed (ul)s o# hal#created matter might&someho!& li)e the megatherium o# later times&a (a(% creation to them&roll at agelong

inter$als& clothed in a might% terror o# sha"elessness into the hal#recognition o# human (eings&!hose consternation at the uncertain $ision !ere (arrier enough to "re$ent all #urther )no!ledgeo# its su(stance.-

-I (egin to ha$e some notion o# %our meaning& uncle&- said <ate.

-'ut then&- said anet& -all that must (e o$er (% this time. That !orld has (een in$isi(le no! #orman% %ears.-

-$er since %ou !ere (orn& I su""ose& anet. The changes o# a !orld are not to (e measured (%the changes o# its generations.-

-h& (ut& uncle& there can4t (e an% such things. Bou )no! that as !ell as I do.-

-Bes& ?ust as !ell& and no (etter.-

-There can4t (e an% ghosts no!. >o(od% (elie$es such things.-

-h& as to ghosts& that is ,uite another thing. I did not )no! %ou !ere tal)ing !ith re#erence tothem. It is no !onder i# one can get nothing sensi(le out o# %ou& anet& !hen %our discriminationis no greater than to lum" e$er%thing mar$ellous& )el"ies& ghosts& $am"ires& dou(les& !itches&#airies& nightmares& and I don4t )no! !hat all& under the one head o# ghosts+ and !e ha$en4t (eensa%ing a !ord a(out them. I# one !ere to dis"ro$e to %ou the e2istence o# the a#reets o# asterntales& %ou !ould consider the !hole argument concerning the rea""earance o# the de"arted u"set.I congratulate %ou on %our "o!ers o# anal%sis and induction& Miss anet. 'ut it matters $er% little!hether !e (elie$e in ghosts& as %ou sa%& or not& "ro$ided !e (elie$e that !e are ghoststhat!ithin this (od%& !hich so man% "eo"le are read% to consider their o!n $er% sel$es& their lies aghostl% em(r%o& at least& !hich has an inner side to it God onl% can see& !hich sa%s I concerningitsel#& and !hich !ill soon ha$e to )no! !hether or not it can a""ear to those !hom it has le#t (ehind& and thus sol$e the ,uestion o# ghosts #or itsel#& at least.-



-Then %ou do (elie$e in ghosts& uncle- said anet& in a tone that certainl% !as not res"ect#ul.

-9urel% I said nothing o# the sort& anet. The man most con$inced that he had himsel# had suchan inter$ie! as %ou hint at& !ould #indought to #ind it im"ossi(le to con$ince an% one else o#

it.-

-Bou are ,uite out o# m% de"th& uncle&- said *arr%. -9urel% an% honest man ought to (e (elie$ed-

-*onest% is not all& (% an% means& that is necessar% to (eing (elie$ed. It is im"ossi(le to con$e%a con$iction o# an%thing. All %ou can do is to con$e% a con$iction that %ou are con$inced. #course& !hat satis#ied %ou might satis#% another+ (ut& till %ou can "resent him !ith the sources o#%our con$iction& %ou cannot "resent him !ith the con$ictionand "erha"s not e$en then.-

-Bou can tell him all a(out& it& can4t %ou-

-Is telling a man a(out a ghost& a##ording him the source o# %our con$iction Is it the same as aghost a""earing to him eall%& *arr%@Bou cannot e$en con$e% the im"ression a dream hasmade u"on %ou.-

-'ut isn4t that ?ust (ecause it is onl% a dream-

->ot at all. The im"ression ma% (e dee"er and clearer on %our mind than an% #act o# the ne2tmorning !ill ma)e. Bou !ill #orget the ne2t da% altogether& (ut the im"ression o# the dream !illremain through all the #ollo!ing !hirl and storm o# !hat %ou call #acts. >o! a con$iction ma% (e li)ened to a dee" im"ression on the ?udgment or the reason& or (oth. >o one can #eel it (ut the "erson !ho is con$inced. It cannot (e con$e%ed.-

-I #anc% that is ?ust !hat those !ho (elie$e in s"iritra""ing !ould sa%.-

-There are the true and #alse o# con$ictions& as o# e$er%thing else. I mean that a man ma% ta)ethat #or a con$iction in his o!n mind !hich is not a con$iction& (ut onl% resem(les one. 'utthose to !hom %ou re#er "ro#ess to a""eal to #acts. It is on the ground o# those #acts& and !ith themore earnestness the more reason the% can gi$e #or recei$ing them as #acts& that I re#use all theirdeductions !ith a(horrence. I mean that& i# !hat the% sa% is true& the thin)er must re?ect !ithcontem"t the claim to an%thing li)e re$elation therein.-

-Then %ou do not (elie$e in ghosts& a#ter all- said <ate& in a tone o# sur"rise.

-I did not sa% so& m% dear. /ill %ou (e reasona(le& or !ill %ou not-

-Dear uncle& do tell us !hat %ou reall% thin).-

-I ha$e (een telling %ou !hat I thin) e$er since I came& <ate%+ and %ou !on4t ta)e in a !ord Isa%.-



-I ha$e (een ta)ing in e$er% !ord& uncle& and tr%ing hard to understand it as !ell.Did %ou e$ersee a ghost& uncle-

Cornelius *e%!ood !as silent. *e shut his li"s and o"ened his ?a!s till his chee)s almost met in

the $acuum. A strange e2"ression crossed the strange countenance& and the great e%es o# hiss"ectacles loo)ed as i#& at the $er% moment& the% !ere seeing something no other s"ectaclescould see. Then his ?a!s closed !ith a sna"& his countenance (rightened& a #lash o# humour camethrough the goggle e%es o# "e((le& and& at length& he actuall% smiled as he said-eall%& <ate%&%ou must ta)e me #or a sim"leton@-

-*o!& uncle-

-To thin)& i# I had e$er seen a ghost& I !ould con#ess the #act (e#ore a set o# creatures li)e %ouall s"inning %our !e(s li)e so man% s"iders to catch and de$our old Dadd% ;onglegs.-

'% this time *arr% had gro!n ,uite gra$e. -Indeed& I am $er% sorr%& uncle&- he said& -i# I ha$edeser$ed such a re(u)e.-

->o& no& m% (o%&- said Cornelius+ -I did not mean it more than hal#. I# I had meant it& I !ould notha$e said it. I# %ou reall% !ould li)e- *ere he "aused.

-Indeed !e should& uncle&- said <ate& earnestl%. -Bou should ha$e heard !hat !e !ere sa%ing ?ust (e#ore %ou came in.-

-All %ou !ere sa%ing& <ate%-

-Bes&- ans!ered <ate& thought#ull%. -The !orst !e said !as that %ou could not tell a stor%!ithout!ell& !e did sa% tac)ing a moral to it.-

-/ell& !ell@ I mustn4t "ush it. A man has no right to )no! !hat "eo"le sa% a(out him. It un#itshim #or occu"%ing his real "osition amongst them. *e& least o# all& has an%thing to do !ith it. I#his #riends !on4t de#end him& he can4t de#end himsel#. 'esides& !hat "eo"le sa% is so o#tenuntrue@I don4t mean to others& (ut to themsel$es. Their hearts are more honest than theirmouths. 'ut anet doesn4t !ant a strange stor%& I am sure.-

anet certainl% !as not one to ha$e chosen #or a listener to such a tale. *er e%es !ere so smallthat no satis#action could "ossi(l% come o# it. -h@ I don4t mind& uncle&- she said& !ith hal#a##ected indi##erence& as she searched in her (o2 #or sil) to mend her glo$es.

-Bou are not $er% encouraging& I must sa%&- returned her uncle& ma)ing another co!#ace.-

-I !ill go a!a%& i# %ou li)e&- said anet& "retending to rise.

->o& ne$er mind&- said her uncle hastil%. -I# %ou don4t !ant me to tell it& I !ant %ou to hear it+and& (e#ore I ha$e done& that ma% ha$e come to the same thing "erha"s.-



-Then %ou reall% are going to tell us a ghost stor%@- said <ate& dra!ing her chair nearer to heruncle4s+ and then& #inding this did not satis#% her sense o# "ro"in,uit% to the source o# thee2"ected "leasure& dra!ing a stool #rom the corner& and seating hersel# almost on the hearthrugat his )nee.

-I did not sa% so&- returned Cornelius& once more. -I said I !ould tell %ou a strange stor%. Bouma% call it a ghost stor% i# %ou li)e+ I do not "retend to determine !hat it is. I con#ess it !ill loo)li)e one& though.-

A#ter so man% dela%s& =ncle Cornelius no! "lunged almost hurriedl% into his narration.

-In the %ear 18NO&- he said& -in the month o# August& I #ell in lo$e.- *ere the girls glanced at eachother. The idea o# =ncle Cornie in lo$e& and in the $er% same centur% in !hich the% !ere no!listening to the con#ession& !as too astonishing to "ass !ithout ocular remar)+ (ut& i# he o(ser$edit& he too) no notice o# it+ he did not e$en "ause. -In the month o# 9e"tem(er& I !as re#used.

Conse,uentl%& in the month o# cto(er& I !as read% to #all in lo$e again. Ta)e "articular care o#%oursel#& *arr%& #or a !hole month& at least& a#ter %our #irst disa""ointment+ #or %ou !ill ne$er (emore li)el% to do a #oolish thing. 3lease %oursel# a#ter the second. I# %ou are sill% then& %ou ma%ta)e !hat %ou get& #or %ou !ill deser$e ite2ce"t it (e good #ortune.-

-Did %ou do a #oolish thing then& uncle- as)ed *arr%& demurel%.

-I did& as %ou !ill see+ #or I #ell in lo$e again.-

-I don4t see an%thing so $er% #oolish in that.-

-I ha$e re"ented it since& though. Don4t interru"t me again& "lease. In the middle o# cto(er&then& in the %ear 18NO& in the e$ening& I !as !al)ing across ussell 9,uare& on m% !a% home#rom the 'ritish Museum& !here I had (een reading all da%. Bou see I ha$e a #ull intention o# (eing "recise& anet.-

-I4m sure I don4t )no! !h% %ou ma)e the remar) to me& uncle&- said anet& !ith an in$oluntar%toss o# her head. *er uncle onl% !ent on !ith his narrati$e.

-I (egin at the $er% (eginning o# m% stor%&- he said+ -#or I !ant to (e "articular as to e$er%thingthat can a""ear to ha$e had an%thing to do !ith !hat came a#ter!ards. I had (een reading& I sa%&all the morning in the 'ritish Museum+ and& as I !al)ed& I too) o## m% s"ectacles to ease m%e%es. I need not tell %ou that I am shortsighted no!& #or that %ou )no! !ell enough. 'ut I musttell %ou that I !as shortsighted then& and hel"less enough !ithout m% s"ectacles& although I !asnot ,uite so much so as I am no!+#or I #ind it all nonsense a(out shortsighted e%es im"ro$ing!ith age. /ell& I !as !al)ing along the south side o# ussell 9,uare& !ith m% s"ectacles in m%hand& and #eeling a little (e!ildered in conse,uence#or it !as ,uite the dus) o# the e$ening& andshortsighted "eo"le re,uire more light than others. I !as #eeling& in #act& almost (lind. I had gotmore than hal#!a% to the other side& !hen& #rom the crossing that cuts o## the corner in thedirection o# Montagu 3lace& ?ust as I !as a(out to turn to!ards it& an old lad% ste""ed u"on the



)er(stone o# the "a$ement& loo)ed at me #or a moment& and "assedan occurrence not $er%remar)a(le& certainl%. 'ut the lad% !as remar)a(le& and so !as her dress. I am not good ato(ser$ing& and I am still !orse at descri(ing dress& there#ore I can onl% sa% that hers remindedme o# an old "icturethat is& I had ne$er seen an%thing li)e it& e2ce"t in old "ictures. 9he had no (onnet& and loo)ed as i# she had !al)ed straight out o# an ancient dra!ingroom in her e$ening

attire. # her #ace I shall sa% nothing no!. The ne2t instant I met a man on the crossing& !hosto""ed and addressed me. 9o shortsighted !as I that& although I recognised his $oice as one Iought to )no!& I could not identi#% him until I had "ut on m% s"ectacles& !hich I did instincti$el%in the act o# returning his greeting. At the same moment I glanced o$er m% shoulder a#ter the oldlad%. 9he !as no!here to (e seen.

-4/hat are %ou loo)ing at4 as)ed ames *etheridge.

-4I !as loo)ing a#ter that old lad%&4 I ans!ered& 4(ut I can4t see her.4

-4/hat old lad%4 said *etheridge& !ith ?ust a touch o# im"atience.

-4Bou must ha$e seen her&4 I returned. 4Bou !ere not more than three %ards (ehind her.4

-4/here is she then4

-49he must ha$e gone do!n one o# the areas& I thin). 'ut she loo)ed a lad%& though an old#ashioned one.4

-4*a$e %ou (een dining4 as)ed ames& in a tone o# dou(t#ul in,uir%.

-4>o&4 I re"lied& not sus"ecting the insinuation+ 4I ha$e onl% ?ust come #rom the Museum.4

-4Then I ad$ise %ou to call on %our medical man (e#ore %ou go home.4

-4Medical man@4 I returned+ 4I ha$e no medical man. /hat do %ou mean I ne$er !as (etter in m%li#e.4

-4I mean that there !as no old lad%. It !as an illusion& and that indicates something !rong.'esides& %ou did not )no! me !hen I s"o)e to %ou.4

-4That is nothing&- I returned. 4I had ?ust ta)en o## m% s"ectacles& and !ithout them I shouldn4t)no! m% o!n #ather.4

-4*o! !as it %ou sa! the old lad%& then4

-The a##air !as gro!ing serious under m% #riend4s cross,uestioning. I did not at all li)e the ideao# his su""osing me su(?ect to hallucinations. 9o I ans!ered& !ith a laugh& 4Ah@ to (e sure& thate2"lains it. I am so (lind !ithout m% s"ectacles& that I shouldn4t )no! an old lad% #rom a (igdog.4



-4There !as no (ig dog&4 said *etheridge& sha)ing his head& as the #act #or the #irst time da!nedu"on me that& although I had seen the old lad% clearl% enough to ma)e a s)etch o# her& e$en tothe #eatures o# her care!orn& eager old #ace& I had not (een a(le to recognise the !ell)no!ncountenance o# ames *etheridge.

-4That4s !hat comes o# reading till the o"tic ner$e is !ea)ened&- he !ent on. 4Bou !ill cause%oursel# serious in?ur% i# %ou do not "ull u" in time. I4ll tell %ou !hat+ I4m going home ne2t!ee)!ill %ou go !ith me4

-4Bou are $er% )ind&4 I ans!ered& not altogether re?ecting the "ro"osal& #or I #elt that a littlechange to the countr% !ould (e "leasant& and I !as ,uite m% o!n master. For I had un#ortunatel%means e,ual to m% !ants& and had no occasion to #ollo! an% "ro#essionnot a $er% desira(lething #or a %oung man& I can tell %ou& Master *arr%. I need not )ee" %ou o$er the common"laceso# "ressing and %ielding. It is enough to sa% that he "ressed and that I %ielded. The da% !as #i2ed#or our de"arture together+ (ut something or other& I #orget !hat& occurred& to ma)e him ad$ancethe date& and it !as resol$ed that I should #ollo! later in the month.

-It !as a dri55l% a#ternoon in the (eginning o# the last !ee) o# cto(er !hen I le#t the to!n o#'rad#ord in a "ostchaise to dri$e to ;e!ton Grange& the "ro"ert% o# m% #riend4s #ather. I hadhardl% le#t the to!n& and the t!ilight had onl% (egun to dee"en& !hen& glancing #rom one o# the!indo!s o# the chaise& I #ancied I sa!& (et!een me and the hedge& the dim #igure o# a horse)ee"ing "ace !ith us. I thought& in the #irst inter$al o# unreason& that it !as a shado! #rom m%o!n horse& (ut reminded m%sel# the ne2t moment that there could (e no shado! !here there !asno light. /hen I loo)ed again& I !as at the #irst glance con$inced that m% e%es had decei$ed me.At the second& I (elie$ed once more that a shado!% something& !ith the mo$ements o# a horse inharness& !as )ee"ing "ace !ith us. I turned a!a% again !ith some discom#ort& and not till !ehad reached an o"en moorland road& !hence a little !ater% light !as $isi(le on the hori5on&could I summon u" courage enough to loo) out once more. Certainl% then there !as nothing to (e seen& and I "ersuaded m%sel# that it had (een all a #anc%& and lighted a cigar. /ith m% #eet onthe cushions (e#ore me& I had soon li#ted m%sel# on the clouds o# to(acco #ar a(o$e all the terrorso# the night& and (elie$ed them (anished #or e$er. 'ut& m% cigar coming to an end ?ust as !eturned into the a$enue that led u" to the Grange& I #ound m%sel# once more glancing ner$ousl%out o# the !indo!. The moment the trees !ere a(out me& there !as& i# not a shado!% horse outthere (% the side o# the chaise& %et certainl% more than hal# that con$iction in here in m%consciousness. /hen I sa! m% #riend& ho!e$er& standing on the doorste"& dar) against the glo!o# the hall #ire& I #orgot all a(out it+ and I need not add that I did not ma)e it a su(?ect o#con$ersation !hen I entered& #or I !as !ell a!are that it !as essential to a man4s re"utation thathis senses should (e accurate& though his heart might !ithout "re?udice s!arm !ith shado!s&and his ?udgment (e a $er% sta(le o# ho((ies.

-I !as )indl% recei$ed. Mrs. *etheridge had (een dead #or some %ears& and ;aetitia& the eldest o# the #amil%& !as at the head o# the household. 9he had t!o sisters& little more than girls. The#ather !as a (url%& %et gentlemanli)e Bor)shire s,uire& !ho ate !ell& dran) !ell& loo)ed radiant&and hunted t!ice a !ee). In this "astime his son ?oined him !hen in the humour& !hichha""ened scarcel% so o#ten. I& !ho had ne$er crossed a horse in m% li#e& too) his a"olog% #or not



not seated at the dinnerta(le& !ashed and a"roned. rder !as a $er% idol !ith her. *ence thehouse !as too tid% #or an% sense o# com#ort. I# %ou le#t an o"en (oo) on the ta(le& %ou !ould& onreturning to the room a moment a#ter& #ind it "ut aside. /hat the #urniture o# the dra!ingroom!as li)e& I ne$er sa!+ #or not e$en on Christmas Da%& !hich !as the last da% I s"ent there& !as itunco$ered. $er%thing in it !as )e"t in (i(s and "ina#ores. $en the car"et !as co$ered !ith a

cold and sli""er% sheet o# (ro!n holland. Mr. *etheridge ne$er entered that room& and therein!as !ise. ames remonstrated once. 9he ans!ered him ,uite )indl%& e$en "la%#ull%& (ut nochange #ollo!ed. /hat !as !orse& she made $er% !retched tea. *er #ather ne$er too) tea+neither did ames. I !as rather #ond o# it& (ut I soon ga$e it u". $er%thing her #ather "artoo) o#!as #irstrate. $er%thing else !as some!hat "o$ert%stric)en. M% "leasure in ;aetitia4s societ% "re$ented me #rom ma)ing "ractical deductions #rom such tri#les.-

-I shouldn4t ha$e thought %ou )ne! an%thing a(out eating& uncle&- said anet.

-The less a man eats& the more he li)es to ha$e it good& anet. In short&there can (e no harm insa%ing it no!&;aetitia !as so #ar #rom (eing li)e the name o# her (a"tism&and most names are

so good that the% are !orth thin)ing a(out+ no children are named a#ter (ad ideas&;aetitia !asso #ar unli)e hers as to (e sting%an a(omina(le #ault. 'ut& I re"eat& the notion o# such a #act !as#ar #rom me then. And no! #or m% stor%.

-The #irst o# >o$em(er !as a $er% lo$el% da%& ,uite one o# the 4halc%on da%s4 o# 49t. Martin4ssummer.4 I !as sitting in a little ar(our I had ?ust disco$ered& !ith a (oo) in m% hand&notreading& ho!e$er& (ut da%dreaming&!hen& li#ting m% e%es #rom the ground& I !as startled tosee& through a thin shru( in #ront o# the ar(our& !hat seemed the #orm o# an old lad% seated&a""arentl% reading #rom a (oo) on her )nee. The sight instantl% recalled the old lad% o# ussell9,uare. I started to m% #eet& and then& clear o# the inter$ening (ush& sa! onl% a great stone suchas a(ounded on the moors in the neigh(ourhood& !ith a lum" o# ,uart5 set on the to" o# it. 9omechildish taste had "ut it there #or an ornament. 9miling at m% o!n #oll%& I sat do!n again& andreo"ened m% (oo). A#ter reading #or a !hile& I glanced u" again& and once more started to m%#eet& o$ercome (% the #anc% that there $eril% sat the old lad% reading. Bou !ill sa% it indicated ane2cited condition o# the (rain. 3ossi(l%+ (ut I !as& as #ar as I can recall& ,uite collected andreasona(le. I !as almost $e2ed this second time& and sat do!n once more to m% (oo). 9till&e$er% time I loo)ed u"& I !as startled a#resh. I dou(t& ho!e$er& i# the tri#le is !orth mentioning&or has an% signi#icance e$en in relation to !hat #ollo!ed.

-A#ter dinner I strolled out (% m%sel#& lea$ing #ather and son o$er their claret. I did not drin)!ine+ and #rom the la!n I could see the !indo!s o# the li(rar%& !hither ;aetitia commonl%retired #rom the dinnerta(le. It !as a $er% lo$el% so#t night. There !as no moon& (ut the starsloo)ed !ider a!a)e than usual. De! !as #alling& (ut the grass !as not %et !et& and I !andereda(out on it #or hal# an hour. The stillness !as someho! strange. It had a !onder#ul #eeling in itas i# something !ere e2"ectedas i# the ,uietness !ere the mould in !hich some e$ent or other!as a(out to (e cast.

-$en then I !as a reader o# certain sorts o# recondite lore. 9uddenl% I remem(ered that this !asthe e$e o# All 9ouls. This !as the night on !hich the dead came out o# their gra$es to $isit theirold homes. 43oor dead@4 I thought !ith m%sel#+ 4ha$e %ou an% "lace to call a home no! I# %ou



ha$e& surel% %ou !ill not !ander (ac) here& !here all that %ou called home has either $anishedor gi$en itsel# to others& to (e their home no! and %ours no more@ /hat an a!#ul doom the old#anc% has allotted %ou@ To d!ell in %our gra$es all the %ear& and cree" out& this one night& to enter at the midnight door& le#t o"en #or !elcome@ A "oor !elcome trul%@?ust an o"en door& a cleans!e"t #loor& and a #ire to !arm %our rainsodden lim(s@ The household aslee"& and the house

"lace s!arming !ith the ghosts o# ancient times&the miser& the s"endthri#t& the "ro#ligate& theco,uette&#or the good ghosts slee"& and are trou(led !ith no !a)ing li)e %ours@ >ot one man&slee"less li)e %oursel$es& to ,uestion %ou& and (e ans!ered a#ter the #ashion o# the old nurser%rh%me

-4/hat ma)es %our e%es so holed4 4I4$e lain so long among the mould.4 4/hat ma)es %our #eet so (road4 4I4$e !al)ed more than e$er I rode@4

-4Bet !ho can tell4 I !ent on to m%sel#. 4It ma% (e %our hell to return thus. It ma% (e that onl% onthis one night o# all the %ear %ou can sho! %oursel$es to him !ho can see %ou& (ut that the "lace!here %ou !ere !ic)ed is the *ades to !hich %ou are doomed #or ages.4 I thought and thoughttill I (egan to #eel the air ali$e a(out me& and !as en$elo"ed in the $a"ours that dim the e%es o#those !ho strain them #or one "ee" through the dull mica !indo!s that !ill not o"en on the!orld o# ghosts. At length I cast m% #ancies a!a%& and #led #rom them to the li(rar%& !here the (odil% "resence o# ;aetitia made the !orld o# ghosts a""ear shado!% indeed.

-4/hat a realit% there is a(out a (odil% "resence@4 I said to m%sel#& as I too) m% cham(ercandlein m% hand. 4'ut !hat is there more real in a (od%4 I said again& as I crossed the hall. 49urel%nothing&4 I !ent on& as I ascended the (road staircase to m% room. 4The (od% must $anish. I# there (e a s"irit& that !ill remain. A (od% can (ut $anish. A ghost can a""ear.4

-I !o)e in the morning !ith a sense o# such discom#ort as made me s"ring out o# (ed at once.M% #oot lighted u"on m% s"ectacles. *o! the% came to (e on the #loor I could not tell& #or Ine$er too) them o## !hen I !ent to (ed. /hen I li#ted them I #ound the% !ere in t!o "ieces+ the (ridge !as (ro)en. This !as a!)!ard. I !as so utterl% hel"less !ithout them@ Indeed& (e#ore Icould la% m% hand on m% hair(rush I had to "eer through one e%e o# the "arted "air. /hen Iloo)ed at m% !atch a#ter I !as dressed& I #ound I had risen an hour earlier than usual. I gro"edm% !a% do!nstairs to s"end the hour (e#ore (rea)#ast in the li(rar%.

->o sooner !as I seated !ith a (oo) than I heard the $oice o# ;aetitia scolding the (utler& in no$er% gentle tones& #or lea$ing the garden door o"en all night. The moment I heard this& thestrange occurrences I am a(out to relate (egan to da!n u"on m% memor%. The door had (eeno"en the night long (et!een All 9aints and All 9ouls. In the middle o# that night I a!o)esuddenl%. I )ne! it !as not the morning (% the sensations I had& #or the night #eels altogetherdi##erent #rom the morning. It !as ,uite dar). M% heart !as (eating $iolentl%& and I either hardl%could or hardl% dared (reathe. A nameless terror !as u"on me& and m% sense o# hearing !as&a""arentl% (% the #orce o# its e2"ectation& unnaturall% roused and )een. There it !asa slightnoise in the room@slight& (ut clear& and !ith an un)no!n signi#icance a(out it@ It !as a!#ul to



thin) it !ould come again. I do (elie$e it !as onl% one o# those crea)s in the tim(ers !hichannounce the tor"id& agelong& sin)ing #lo! o# e$er% house (ac) to the dusta motion to !hichthe #lo! o# the glacier is as a torrent& (ut !hich is no less ine$ita(le and sure. Da% and night itceases not+ (ut onl% in the night& !hen house and heart are still& do !e hear it. >o !onder itshould sound #ear#ul@ #or are !e not the immortal d!ellers in e$ercrum(ling cla% The cla% is so

near us& and %et not o# us& that its e$er% mo$ement starts a #resh disma%. For !hat !ill its #inalruin disclose /hen it #alls #rom a(out us& !here shall !e #ind that !e ha$e e2isted all the time

-M% s)in tingled !ith the (ursting o# the moisture #rom its "ores. 9omething !as in the room (eside me. A con#used& indescri(a(le sense o# utter loneliness& and %et a!#ul "resence& !as u"onme& mingled !ith a drear%& ho"eless desolation& as o# (urntout lo$e and aimless li#e. All at onceI #ound m%sel# sitting u". The terror that a cold hand might (e laid u"on me& or a cold (reath (lo! on me& or a cor"seli)e #ace (end do!n through the dar)ness o$er me& had (ro)en m% (onds@I !ould meet hal#!a% !hate$er might (e a""roaching. The moment that m% !ill (urstinto action the terror (egan to e((.

-The room in !hich I sle"t !as a large one& "er#ectl% drear% !ith tidiness. I did not )no! tilla#ter!ards that it !as ;aetitia4s room& !hich she had gi$en u" to me rather than "re"are another.The #urniture& all (ut one article& !as modern and common"lace. I could not hel" remar)ing tom%sel# a#ter!ards ho! utterl% $oid the room !as o# the nameless charm o# #eminine occu"anc%.I had seen nothing to !a)e a sus"icion o# its (eing a lad%4s room. The article I ha$e e2ce"ted !asan ancient (ureau& ela(orate and ornate& !hich stood on one side o# the large (o! !indo!. The$er% morning (e#ore& I had seen a (unch o# )e%s hanging #rom the u""er "art o# it& and had "ee"ed in. Finding ho!e$er& that the "igeonholes !ere #ull o# "a"ers& I closed it at once. Ishould ha$e (een glad to use it& (ut clearl% it !as not #or me. At that (ureau the #igure o# a!oman !as no! seated in the "osture o# one !riting. A strange dim light !as around her& (ut!hence it "roceeded I ne$er thought o# in,uiring. As i# I& too& had ste""ed o$er the (ourne& and!as a ghost m%sel#& all #ear !as no! gone. I got out o# (ed& and so#tl% crossed the room to !hereshe !as seated. 4I# she should (e (eauti#ul@4 I thought#or I had o#ten dreamed o# a (eauti#ulghost that made lo$e to me. The #igure did not mo$e. 9he !as loo)ing at a #aded (ro!n "a"er.49ome old lo$eletter&4 I thought& and ste""ed nearer. 9o cool !as I no!& that I actuall% "ee"edo$er her shoulder. /ith mingled sur"rise and disma% I #ound that the dim "age o$er !hich she (ent !as that o# an old account(oo). Ancient household records& in rust% in)& held u" to theglim"ses o# the !aning moon& !hich shone through the "arting in the curtains& their entries o#shillings and "ence@# "ounds there !as not one. >o dou(t "ounds and #arthings are much thesame in the !orld o# thoughtthe true s"irit!orld+ (ut in the ghost!orld this eagerness o$ershillings and "ence must mean something a!#ul@ I To thin) that coins !hich had since (een !ornsmooth in other "oc)ets and "urses& !hich had gone (ac) to the Mint& and (een melted do!n& tocome out again and %et again !ith the heads o# ne! )ings and ,ueens&that dinners& eaten (%men and !omen and children !hose (odies had since (een eaten (% the !orms&that "olish #orthe #loors& inches o# !hose thic)ness had since (een !orn a!a%&that the hundred namelesstri#les o# a li#e utterl% $anished& should (e "er"le2ing& anno%ing& and !orst o# all& interesting thesoul o# a ghost !ho had (een in *ades #or centuries@ The !riting !as $er% old#ashioned& and the!ords !ere contracted. I could read nothing (ut the mone%s and one single entr%4Corinths& s.4



-Currants #or a Christmas "udding& most li)el%@Ah& "oor lad%@ the "udding and not theChristmas !as her care+ not the delight o# the children o$er it& (ut the (eggarl% "ence !hich itcost. And she cannot get it out o# her head& although her (rain !as 4"o!dered all as thin as #lour4ages ago in the mortar o# Death. 4Alas& "oor ghost@4 It needs no treasured hoard le#t (ehind& no#loor stained !ith the (lood o# the murdered child& no !ic)edl% hidden "archment o# landed

rights@ An old account(oo) is enough #or the hell o# the house)ee"ing gentle!oman@

-9he ne$er li#ted her #ace& or seemed to )no! that I stood (ehind her. I le#t her& and !ent into the (o! !indo!& !here I could see her #ace. I !as right. It !as the same old lad% I had met inussell 9,uare& !al)ing in #ront o# ames *etheridge. *er !ithered li"s !ent mo$ing as i# the%!ould ha$e uttered !ords had the (reath (een commissioned thither+ her (ro! !as contractedo$er her thin nose+ and once and again her shining #ore#inger !ent u" to her tem"le as i# she!ere "ondering some dee" "ro(lem o# humanit%. *o! long I stood ga5ing at her I do not )no!& (ut at last I !ithdre! to m% (ed& and le#t her struggling to sol$e that !hich she could ne$er sol$ethus. It !as the s%m(olic "ro(lem o# her o!n li#e& and she had #ailed to read it. I remem(ernothing more. 9he ma% (e sitting there still& sol$ing at the insol$a(le.

-I should ha$e #elt no inclination& !ith the (road sun o# the s,uire4s #ace& the )een e%es o# ames&and the (eaut% o# ;aetitia (e#ore me at the (rea)#ast ta(le& to sa% a !ord a(out !hat I had seen&e$en i# I had not (een a#raid o# the dou(t concerning m% sanit% !hich the stor% !ould certainl%a!a)en. /hat !ith the memories o# the night and the !ant o# m% s"ectacles& I "assed a $er%drear% da%& dreading the return o# the night& #or& cool as I had (een in her "resence& I could notregard the "ossi(le rea""earance o# the ghost !ith e,uanimit%. 'ut !hen the night did come& Isle"t soundl% till the morning.

-The ne2t da%& not (eing a(le to read !ith com#ort& I !ent !andering a(out the "lace& and atlength (egan to #it the outside and inside o# the house together. It !as a large and ram(lingedi#ice& "arts o# it $er% old& "arts com"arati$el% modern. I #irst #ound m% o!n !indo!& !hichloo)ed out o# the (ac). 'elo! this !indo!& on one side& there !as a door. I !ondered !hither itled& (ut #ound it loc)ed. At the moment ames a""roached #rom the sta(les. 4/here does thisdoor lead4 I as)ed him. 4I !ill get the )e%&4 he ans!ered. 4It is rather a ,ueer old "lace. /e usedto li)e it !hen !e !ere children.4 4There4s a stair& %ou see&4 he said& as he thre! the door o"en. 4Itleads u" o$er the )itchen.4 I #ollo!ed him u" the stair. 4There4s a door into %our room&4 he said&4(ut it4s al!a%s loc)ed no!.And here4s Grannie4s room& as the% call it& though !h%& I ha$e notthe least idea&4 he added& as he "ushed o"en the door o# an old#ashioned "arlour& smelling $er%must%. A #e! old (oo)s la% on a side ta(le. A china (o!l stood (eside them& !ith someshri$elled& scentless roselea$es in the (ottom o# it. The cloth that co$ered the ta(le !as riddled (% moths& and the s"iderlegged chairs !ere co$ered !ith dust.

-A con$iction sei5ed me that the old (ureau must ha$e (elonged to this room& and I soon #oundthe "lace !here I ?udged it must ha$e stood. 'ut the same moment I caught sight o# a "ortrait onthe !all a(o$e the s"ot I had #i2ed u"on. 4'% o$e@4 I cried& in$oluntaril%& 4that4s the $er% old lad%I met in ussell 9,uare@4

-4>onsense@4 said ames. 4ld#ashioned ladies are li)e (a(iesthe% all loo) the same. That4s a$er% old "ortrait.4



-49o I see&4 I ans!ered. 4It is li)e a Pucchero.4

-4I don4t )no! !hose it is&- he ans!ered hurriedl%& and I thought he loo)ed a little ,ueer.

-4Is she one o# the #amil%4 I as)ed.

-4The% sa% so+ (ut !ho or !hat she !as& I don4t )no!. Bou must as) ;ett%&- he ans!ered.

-4The more I loo) at it&4 I said& 4the more I am con$inced it is the same old lad%.4

-4/ell&4 he returned !ith a laugh& 4m% old nurse used to sa% she !as rather restless. 'ut it4s allnonsense.4

-4That (ureau in m% room loo)s a(out the same date as this #urniture&4 I remar)ed.

-4It used to stand ?ust there&4 he ans!ered& "ointing to the s"ace under the "icture. 4/ell Iremem(er !ith !hat a!e !e used to regard it+ #or the% said the old lad% )e"t her accounts at itstill. /e ne$er dared touch the (undles o# %ello! "a"ers in the "igeonholes. I remem(erthin)ing ;ett% a $er% heroine once !hen she touched one o# them !ith the ti" o# her #ore#inger.9he had got %et more courageous (% the time she had it mo$ed into her o!n room.4

-4Then that is %our sister4s room I am occu"%ing4 I said.

-4Bes.4

-4I am ashamed o# )ee"ing her out o# it.4

-4h@ she4ll do !ell enough.4

-4I# I !ere she though&4 I added& 4I !ould send that (ureau (ac) to its o!n "lace.4

-4/hat do %ou mean& *e%!ood Do %ou (elie$e e$er% old !i#e4s tale that e$er !as told4

-49he ma% get a #right some da%that4s all@4 I re"lied.

-*e smiled !ith such an e$ident mi2ture o# "it% and contem"t that #or the moment I almostdisli)ed him+ and #eeling certain that ;aetitia !ould recei$e an% such hint in a some!hat similarmanner& I did not #eel inclined to o##er her an% ad$ice !ith regard to the (ureau.

-;ittle occurred during the rest o# m% $isit !orth% o# remar). 9omeho! or other I did not ma)emuch "rogress !ith ;aetitia. I (elie$e I had (egun to see into her character a little& and there#oredid not get dee"er in lo$e as the da%s !ent on. I )no! I (ecame less a(sor(ed in her societ%&although I !as still an2ious to ma)e m%sel# agreea(le to heror "erha"s& more "ro"erl%& to gi$eher a #a$oura(le im"ression o# me. I do not )no! !hether she "ercei$ed an% di##erence in m% (eha$iour& (ut I remem(er that I (egan again to remar) the "inched loo) o# her nose& and to (e a



little anno%ed !ith her #or al!a%s "utting aside m% (oo). At the same time& I daresa% I !as "ro$o)ing& #or I ne$er !as gi$en to tidiness m%sel#.

-At length Christmas Da% arri$ed. A#ter (rea)#ast& the s,uire& ames& and the t!o girls arrangedto !al) to church. ;aetitia !as not in the room at the moment. I e2cused m%sel# on the ground o#

a headache& #or I had had a (ad night. /hen the% le#t& I !ent u" to m% room& thre! m%sel# on the (ed& and !as soon #ast aslee".

-*o! long I sle"t I do not )no!& (ut I !o)e again !ith that indescri(a(le %et !ell)no!n senseo# not (eing alone. The #eeling !as scarcel% less terri(le in the da%light than it had (een in thedar)ness. /ith the same sudden e##ort as (e#ore& I sat u" in the (ed. There !as the #igure at theo"en (ureau& in "recisel% the same "osition as on the #ormer occasion. 'ut I could not see it sodistinctl%. I rose as gentl% as I could& and a""roached it& a#ter the #irst "h%sical terror. I am not aco!ard. ust as I got near enough to see the account (oo) o"en on the #olding co$er o# the (ureau& she started u"& and& turning& re$ealed the #ace o# ;aetitia. 9he (lushed crimson.

-4I (eg %our "ardon& Mr. *e%!ood&4 she said in great con#usion+ 4I thought %ou had gone tochurch !ith the rest.4

-4I had lain do!n !ith a headache& and gone to slee"&4 I re"lied. 4'ut&#orgi$e me& Miss*etheridge&4 I added& #or m% mind !as #ull o# the dread#ul coincidence&4don4t %ou thin) %ou!ould ha$e (een (etter at church than (alancing %our accounts on Christmas Da%4

-4The (etter da% the (etter deed&4 she said& !ith a some!hat o##ended air& and turned to !al) #romthe room.

-42cuse me& ;aetitia&4 I resumed& $er% seriousl%& 4(ut I !ant to tell %ou something.4

-9he loo)ed conscious. It ne$er crossed me& that "erha"s she #ancied I !as going to ma)e acon#ession. Far other things !ere then in m% mind. For I thought ho! a!#ul it !as& i# she too&li)e the ancestral ghost& should ha$e to do an agelong "enance o# haunting that (ureau and thosehorrid #igures& and I had suddenl% resol$ed to tell her the !hole stor%. 9he listened !ith $ar%ingcom"le2ion and #ace hal# turned aside. /hen I had ended& !hich I #ear I did !ith something o# a "ersonal a""eal& she li#ted her head and loo)ed me in the #ace& !ith ?ust a slight curl on her thinli"& and ans!ered me. 4I# I had !anted a sermon& Mr. *e%!ood& I should ha$e gone to church #orit. As #or the ghost& I am sorr% #or %ou.4 9o sa%ing she !al)ed out o# the room.

-The rest o# the da% I did not #ind $er% merr%. I "leaded m% headache as an e2cuse #or going to (ed earl%. *o! I hated the room no!@ >e2t morning& immediatel% a#ter (rea)#ast& I too) m%lea$e o# ;e!ton Grange.-

-And lost a good !i#e& "erha"s& #or the sa)e o# a ghost& uncle@- said anet.

-I# I lost a !i#e at all& it !as a sting% one. I should ha$e (een ashamed o# her all m% li#e long.-

-'etter than a s"endthri#t&- said anet.



-*o! do %ou )no! that- returned her uncle. -All the di##erence I see is& that the e2tra$agantruins the rich& and the sting% ro(s the "oor.-

-'ut "erha"s she re"ented& uncle&- said <ate.

-I don4t thin) she did& <ate%. ;oo) here.-

=ncle Cornelius dre! #rom the (reast "oc)et o# his coat a (lac)edged letter.

-I ha$e )e"t u" m% #riendshi" !ith her (rother&- he said. -All he )no!s a(out the matter is& thateither !e had a ,uarrel& or she re#used me+he is not sure !hich. I must sa% #or ;aetitia& that she!as no tattler. /ell& here4s a letter I had #rom ames this $er% morning. I !ill read it to %ou.

-4MB DA M. *B/D&/e ha$e had a terri(le Qshoc) this morning. ;ett% did not comedo!n to (rea)#ast& and ;i55ie !ent to see i# she !as ill. /e heard her scream& and& rushing u"&

there !as "oor ;ett%& sitting at the old (ureau& ,uite dead. 9he had #allen #or!ard on the des)&and her house)ee"ing(oo) !as crum"led u" under her. 9he had (een so all night long& !esu""ose& #or she !as not undressed& and !as ,uite cold. The doctors sa% it !as disease o# theheart.4

-There@- said =ncle Cornie& #olding u" the letter.

-Do %ou thin) the ghost had an%thing to do !ith it& uncle- as)ed <ate& almost under her (reath.

-*o! should I )no!& m% dear 3ossi(l%.-

-It4s $er% sad&- said anet+ -(ut I don4t see the good o# it all. I# the ghost had come to tell that shehad hidden a!a% mone% in some secret "lace in the old (ureau& one !ould see !h% she had (een "ermitted to come (ac). 'ut !hat !as the good o# those accounts a#ter the% !ere o$er and done!ith I don4t (elie$e in the ghost.-

-Ah& anet& anet@ (ut those !retched accounts !ere not o$er and done !ith& %ou see. That is themiser% o# it.-

=ncle Cornelius rose !ithout another !ord& (ade them goodnight& and !al)ed out into the !ind.

The /o! 4 i$$en

lsie 9cott had let her !or) #all on her )nees& and her hands on her !or)& and !as loo)ing out o# the !ide& lo! !indo! o# her room& !hich !as on one o# the ground #loors o# the $illage street.Through a ga" in the household shru((er% o# #uchsias and m%rtles #illing the !indo!sill& one "assing on the #oot "a$ement might get a momentar% glim"se o# her "ale #ace& lighted u" !itht!o (lue e%es& o$er !hich some in!ard trou(le had s"read a #aint& gau5eli)e ha5iness. 'utalmost (e#ore her thoughts had had time to !ander (ac) to this trou(le& a shout o# children4s



$oices& at the other end o# the street& reached her ear. 9he listened a moment. A shado! o#dis"leasure and "ain crossed her countenance+ and rising hastil%& she (etoo) hersel# to an innera"artment& and closed the door (ehind her.

Meantime the sounds dre! nearer+ and (% and (% an old man& !hose strange a""earance and

dress sho!ed that he had little ca"acit% either #or good or e$il& "assed the !indo!. *is clothes!ere com#orta(le enough in ,ualit% and condition& #or the% !ere the annual gi#t o# a (ene$olentlad% in the neigh(ourhood+ (ut& (eing made to accommodate his taste& (oth )no!n andtraditional& the% !ere some!hat "eculiar in cut and adornment. 'oth coat and trousers !ere o# adar) gre% cloth+ (ut the #ormer& !hich& in its sha"e& "artoo) o# the militar%& had a straight collaro# %ello!& and narro! cu##s o# the same+ !hile u"on (oth slee$es& a(out the "lace !here acor"oral !ears his stri"es& !as e2"ressed& in the same %ello! cloth& a some!hat singular de$ice.It !as as close an imitation o# a (ell& !ith its tongue hanging out o# its mouth& as the tailor4s s)illcould "roduce #rom a single "iece o# cloth. The origin o# the militar% cut o# his coat !as !ell)no!n. *is "re#erence #or it arose in the time o# the !ars o# the #irst >a"oleon& !hen thethreatened in$asion o# the countr% caused the organisation o# man% $olunteer regiments. The

martial sho! and e2ercises ca"ti$ated the "oor man4s #anc%+ and #rom that time #or!ard nothing "leased his $anit%& and conse,uentl% conciliated his good!ill more& than to st%le him (% his#a$ourite titlethe 0Colonel0. 'ut the (adge on his arm had a dee"er origin& !hich !ill (e "artiall% mani#est in the course o# the stor%i# stor% it can (e called. It !as& indeed& the (a"tismo# the #ool& the out!ard and $isi(le sign o# his relation to the in#inite and unseen. *iscountenance& ho!e$er& although the #eatures !ere not o# an% "eculiarl% lo! or animal t%"e&sho!ed no corres"onding sign o# the consciousness o# such a relation& (eing as $acant as humancountenance could !ell (e.

The cause o# lsie4s anno%ance !as that the #ool !as anno%ed+ he !as #ollo!ed (% a troo" o# (o%s& !ho turned his ran) into scorn& and assailed him !ith e"ithets hate#ul to him. Although themost harmless o# creatures !hen le#t alone& he !as dangerous !hen roused+ and no! he stoo"edre"eatedl% to "ic) u" stones and hurl them at his tormentors& !ho too) care& !hile a(using him&to )ee" at a considera(le distance& lest he should get hold o# them. Amidst the sounds o# derisionthat #ollo!ed him& might (e heard the !ords #re,uentl% re"eated-0Come hame& come hame0.-'ut in a #e! minutes the noise ceased& either #rom the inter#erence o# some #riendl% inha(itant& or that the (o%s gre! !ear%& and de"arted in search o# other amusement. '% and (%& lsie might (eseen again at her !or) in the !indo!+ (ut the cloud o$er her e%es !as dee"er& and her !hole#ace more sad.

Indeed& so much did the "ersecution o# this "oor man a##ect her& that an onloo)er !ould ha$e (een com"elled to see) the cause in some %et dee"er s%m"ath% than that commonl% #elt #or theo""ressed& e$en (% !omen. And such a s%m"ath% e2isted& strange as it ma% seem& (et!een the (eauti#ul girl #or man% called her 0a (onnie lassie0 and this -tatter o# humanit%-. >othing!ould ha$e (een #arther #rom the thoughts o# those that )ne! them& than the su""osition o# an%corres"ondence or connection (et!een them+ %et this s%m"ath% s"rang in "art #rom a realsimilarit% in their histor% and "resent condition.

All the #acts that !ere )no!n a(out 0Feel oc)4s0 origin !ere these: that se$ent% %ears ago& aman !ho had gone !ith his horse and cart some miles #rom the $illage& to #etch home a load o#



"eat #rom a desolate 0moss0& had heard& !hile toiling along as rough a road on as lonel% ahillside as an% in 9cotland& the cr% o# a child+ and& searching a(out& had #ound the in#ant& hardl%!ra"t in rags& and untended& as i# the earth hersel# had ?ust gi$en (irththat desert moor& !ideand dismal& (ro)en and !ater%& the onl% (osom #or him to lie u"on& and the cold& clear nighthea$en his onl% co$ering. The man had (rought him home& and the "arish had ta)en "arishcare

o# him. *e had gro!n u"& and "ro$ed !hat he no! !asalmost an idiot. Man% o# theto!ns"eo"le !ere )ind to him& and em"lo%ed him in #etching !ater #or them #rom the ri$er or!ells in the neigh(ourhood& "a%ing him #or his trou(le in $ictuals& or !his)%& o# !hich he !as$er% #ond. *e seldom s"o)e+ and the sentences he could utter !ere #e!+ %et the tone& and e$enthe !ords o# his limited $oca(ular%& !ere su##icient to e2"ress gratitude and some measure o#lo$e to!ards those !ho !ere )ind to him& and hatred o# those !ho teased and insulted him. *eli$ed a li#e !ithout aim& and a""arentl% to no "ur"ose+ in this resem(ling most o# his more gi#ted#ello!men& !ho& !ith all the tools and materials necessar% #or (uilding a no(le mansion& are %etcontent !ith a cla% hut.

lsie& on the contrar%& had (een (orn in a com#orta(le #armhouse& amidst homeliness and

a(undance. 'ut at a $er% earl% age she had lost (oth #ather and mother+ not so earl%& ho!e$er& (utthat she had #aint memories o# !arm so#t times on her mother4s (osom& and o# re#uge in hermother4s arms #rom the attac)s o# geese& and the "ursuit o# "igs. There#ore& in a#tertimes& !henshe loo)ed #or!ard to hea$en& it !as as much a re$erting to the old hea$enl% times o# childhoodand mother4s lo$e& as an antici"ation o# something %et to (e re$ealed. Indeed& !ithout some suchmemor%& ho! should !e e$er "icture to oursel$es a "er#ect rest 'ut sometimes it !ould seem asi# the more a heart !as made ca"a(le o# lo$ing& the less it had to lo$e+ and "oor lsie& in "assing#rom a mother4s to a (rother4s guardianshi"& #elt a change o# s"iritual tem"erature too )een. *e!as not a (ad man& or inca"a(le o# (ene$olence !hen touched (% the sight o# !ant in an%thingo# !hich he !ould himsel# ha$e #elt the "ri$ation+ (ut he !as so coarsel% made that onl% the "urest animal necessities a##ected him& and a hard !ord& or un#eeling s"eech& could ne$er ha$ereached the ,uic) o# his nature through the hide that enclosed it. lsie& on the contrar%& !ase2cessi$el% and "ain#ull% sensiti$e& as i# her nature constantl% "ortended an in$isi(le multitudeo# hal#s"iritual& hal#ner$ous antenna& !hich shran) and trem(led in e$er% current o# air at all (elo! their o!n tem"erature. The e##ect o# this u"on her (eha$iour !as such that she !as calledodd+ and the "oor girl #elt she !as not li)e other "eo"le& %et could not hel" it. *er (rother& too&laughed at her !ithout the slightest idea o# the "ain he occasioned& or the remotest #eeling o#curiosit% as to !hat the in!ard and consistent causes o# the out!ard a(normal condition might (e. Tenderness !as the di$ine com#orting she needed+ and it !as altogether a(sent #rom her (rother4s character and (eha$iour.

*er neigh(ours loo)ed on her !ith some interest& (ut the% rather shunned than courted herac,uaintance+ es"eciall% a#ter the return o# certain ner$ous attac)s& to !hich she had (een su(?ectin childhood& and !hich !ere again (rought on (% the e$ents I must relate. It is curious ho!certain diseases re"el& (% a )ind o# a!e& the s%m"athies o# the neigh(ours: as i#& (% the #act o# (eing su(?ect to them& the "atient !ere remo$ed into another realm o# e2istence& #rom !hich& li)ethe dead !ith the li$ing& she can hold communion !ith those around her onl% "artiall%& and !itha mi2ture o# dread "er$ading the intercourse. Thus some o# the dee"est& "urest !ells o# s"iritualli#e& are& li)e those in old castles& cho)ed u" (% the deca% o# the outer !alls. 'ut !hat tendedmore than an%thing& "erha"s& to )ee" u" the "ain#ul unrest o# her soul #or the (eaut% o# her



character !as e$ident in the #act that the irritation seldom reached her 0mind0& !as acircumstance at !hich& in its "resent connection& some o# m% readers !ill smile& and others #eel ashudder corres"onding in )ind to that o# lsie.

*er (rother !as $er% #ond o# a rather small& (ut #erociousloo)ing (ulldog& !hich #ollo!ed

close at his heels& !here$er he !ent& !ith hanging head and slouching gait& ne$er lea"ing orracing a(out li)e other dogs. /hen in the house& he al!a%s la% under his master4s chair. *eseemed to disli)e lsie& and she #elt an uns"ea)a(le re"ugnance to him. Though she ne$ermentioned her a$ersion& her (rother easil% sa! it (% the !a% in !hich she a$oided the animal+and attri(uting it entirel% to #ear!hich indeed had a great share in the matterhe !ould cruell%aggra$ate it& (% telling her stories o# the #ierce hardihood and relentless "ersistenc% o# this )indo# animal. *e dared not %et #urther increase her terror (% o##ering to set the creature u"on her& (ecause it !as dou(t#ul !hether he might (e a(le to restrain him+ (ut the mental su##ering !hichhe occasioned (% this heartless conduct& and #or !hich he had no s%m"ath%& !as as se$ere asman% (odil% su##erings to !hich he !ould ha$e (een sorr% to su(?ect her. /hene$er the "oor girlha""ened inad$ertentl% to "ass near the dog& !hich !as seldom& a lo! gro!l made her a!are o#

his "ro2imit%& and dro$e her to a ,uic) retreat. *e !as& in #act& the animal im"ersonation o# theanimal o""osition !hich she had continuall% to endure. ;i)e chooses li)e+ and the (ulldog 0in0her (rother made choice o# the (ulldog 0out o#0 him #or his com"anion. 9o her da% !as one o#shrin)ing #ear and multi#orm discom#ort.

'ut a nature ca"a(le o# so much distress& must o# necessit% (e 0ca"a(le0 o# a corres"ondingamount o# "leasure+ and in her case this !as mani#est in the #act that slee" and the ,uiet o# hero!n room restored her !onder#ull%. I# she !ere onl% let alone& a calm mood& #illed !ith imageso# "leasure& soon too) "ossession o# her mind.

*er ac,uaintance !ith the #ool had commenced some ten %ears "re$ious to the time I !rite o#&!hen she !as ,uite a little girl& and had come #rom the countr% !ith her (rother& !ho& ha$ingta)en a small #arm close to the to!n& "re#erred residing in the to!n to occu"%ing the #armhouse&!hich !as not com#orta(le. 9he loo)ed at #irst !ith some terror on his uncouth a""earance& and!ith much !onderment on his strange dress. This !onder !as heightened (% a con$ersation sheo$erheard one da% in the street& (et!een the #ool and a little "ale#aced (o%& !ho& a""roachinghim res"ect#ull%& said& -/eel& cornel@- -/eel& laddie@- !as the re"l%. -Fat dis the !o! sa%&cornel- -Come hame& come hame@- ans!ered the 0colonel0& !ith (oth accent and ,uantit%hea"ed on the !ord 0hame0. /hat the !o! could (e& she had no idea+ onl%& as the %ears "assedon& the strange !ord (ecame in her mind indescri(a(l% associated !ith the strange sha"e in%ello! cloth on his slee$es. *ad she (een a nati$e o# the to!n& she could not ha$e #ailed to )no!its im"ort& so #amiliar !as e$er% one !ith it& although it did not (elong to the local $oca(ular%+ (ut& as it !as& %ears "assed a!a% (e#ore she disco$ered its meaning. And !hen& again and again&the #ool& attem"ting to con$e% his gratitude #or some )indness she had sho!n him mum(led o$er the !ords-0The !o! o4 i$$enthe !o! o4 i$$en&0- the !onder !ould return as to !hatcould (e the idea associated !ith them in his mind& (ut she made no ad$ance to!ards theire2"lanation.

That& ho!e$er& !hich most attracted her to the old man& !as his "ersecution (% the children.The% !ere to him !hat the (ulldog !as to herthe constant source o# irritation and anno%ance.



The% could hardl% hurt him& nor did he a""ear to dread other in?ur% #rom them than insult& to!hich& #ool though he !as& he !as )eenl% ali$e. *uman gad#lies that the% !ere@ the% sometimesstung him (e%ond endurance& and he !ould curse them in the im"otence o# his anger. nce ort!ice lsie had (een so #ar carried (e%ond her constitutional timidit%& (% s%m"ath% #or thedistress o# her #riend& that she had gone out and tal)ed to the (o%se$en scolded them& so that

the% slun) a!a% ashamed& and (egan to stand as much in dread o# her as o# the clutches o# their "re%. 9o she& gentle and timid to e2cess& ac,uired among them the re"utation o# a termagant.3o"ular o"inion among children& as among men& is o# ten ?ust& (ut as o#ten $er% un?ust+ #or thesame mani#estations ma% "roceed #rom o""osite "rinci"les+ and& there#ore& as indices tocharacter& ma% mislead as o#ten as enlighten.

>e2t door to the house in !hich lsie resided& d!elt a tradesman and his !i#e& !ho )e"t aninde#inite sort o# sho"& in !hich $arious )inds o# goods !ere e2"osed #or sale. Their %oungestson !as a(out the same age as lsie+ and !hile the% !ere rather more than children& and lessthan %oung "eo"le& he s"ent man% o# his e$enings !ith her& some!hat to the loss o# "osition inhis classes at the "arish school. The% !ere& indeed& much attached to each other+ and& "eculiarl%

constituted as lsie !as& one ma% imagine !hat )ind o# hea$enl% messenger a com"anionstronger than hersel# must ha$e (een to her. In #act& i# she could ha$e #ramed the unde#ina(leneed o# her childli)e nature into an articulate "ra%er& it !ould ha$e (een-Gi$e me some one tolo$e me stronger than I.- An% lo$e !as hel"#ul& %es& in its degree& sa$ing to her "oor trou(ledsoul+ (ut the ho"e& as the% gre! older together& that the "o!er#ul& %et tenderhearted %outh& reall%lo$ed her& and !ould one da% ma)e her his !i#e& !as li)e the o"ening o# hea$enl% e%es o# li#eand lo$e in the hitherto (lan) and deathli)e #ace o# her e2istence. 'ut nothing had (een said o#lo$e& although the% met and "arted li)e lo$ers.

Dou(tless& i# the circles o# their thought and #eeling had continued as no! to intersect each other&there !ould ha$e (een no interru"tion to their a##ection+ (ut the time at length arri$ed !hen theold cou"le& seeing the rest o# their #amil% com#orta(l% settled in li#e& resol$ed to ma)e agentleman o# the %oungest+ and so sent him #rom school to college. The #acilities e2isting in9cotland #or "ro$iding a "ro#essional training ena(led them to educate him as a surgeon. *e "arted #rom lsie !ith some regret+ (ut& #ar less de"endent on her than she !as on him& and #ullo# the "ros"ects o# the #uture& he #elt none o# that sin)ing at the heart !hich seemed to la% her!hole nature o"en to a #resh inroad o# all the terrors and sorro!s o# her "eculiar e2istence. >ocorres"ondence too) "lace (et!een them. >e! "ursuits and relations& and the de$elo"ment o#his tastes and ?udgments& entirel% altered the "osition o# "oor lsie in his memor%. *a$ing (een&during their intercourse& #ar less o# a man than she o# a !oman& he had no de#inite idea o# the "lace he had occu"ied in her regard+ and in his mind she receded into the (ac)ground o# the "ast&!ithout his ha$ing an% idea that she !ould su##er there(%& or that he !as un?ust to!ards her+!hile& in her thoughts& his image stood in the highest and clearest relie#. It !as the centre"oint#rom !hich and to!ards !hich all lines radiated and con$erged+ and although she could not (ut (e dou(t#ul a(out the #uture& %et there !as much ho"e mingled !ith her dou(ts.

'ut !hen& at the close o# t!o %ears& he $isited his nati$e $illage& and she sa! (e#ore her& insteado# the homel% %outh !ho had le#t her that !inter e$ening& one !ho& to her ine2"erienced e%es&a""eared a #inished gentleman& her heart san) !ithin her& as i# she had #ound >ature hersel# #alsein her ri"ening "rocesses& destro%ing the (eauti#ul "romise o# a #ormer %ear (% changing instead



o# de$elo"ing her creations. *e s"o)e )indl% to her& (ut not cordiall%. To her ear the $oiceseemed to come #rom a great distance out o# the "ast+ and !hile she loo)ed u"on him& thato"tical change "assed o$er her $ision& !hich all ha$e e2"erienced a#ter ga5ing a(stractedl% onan% o(?ect #or a time: his #orm gre! $er% small& and receded to an immeasura(le distance+ till&her imagination mingling !ith the t!ilight ha5e o# her senses& she seemed to see him standing #ar

o## on a hill& !ith the (right hori5on o# sunset #or a (ac)ground to his clearl% de#ined #igure.

9he )ne! no more till she #ound hersel# in (ed in the dar)+ and the #irst message that reached her #rom the outer !orld !as the in#ernal gro!l o# the (ulldog #rom the room (elo!. >e2t da% shesa! her lo$er !al)ing !ith t!o ladies& !ho !ould ha$e thought it some degree o# condescensionto s"ea) to her+ and he "assed the house !ithout once loo)ing to!ards it.

ne !ho is su##icientl% "ossessed (% the demon o# ner$ousness to (e glad o# the magneticin#luences o# a #riend4s com"an% in a "u(lic "romenade& or o# a horse (eneath him in "assingthrough a church%ard& !ill ha$e some #aint idea o# ho! utterl% e2"osed and de#enceless "oorlsie no! #elt on the cro!ded thorough#are o# li#e. And so the insensi(ilit% !hich had o$erta)en

her& !as not the ordinar% s!oon !ith !hich >ature relie$es the o$erstrained ner$es& (ut thereturn o# the e"ile"tic #its o# her earl% childhood+ and i# the condition o# the "oor girl had (een "itia(le (e#ore& it !as ten#old more so no!. Bet she did not com"lain& (ut (ore all in silence&though it !as e$ident that her health !as gi$ing !a%. 'ut no!& hel" came to her #rom a strange,uarter+ though man% might not (e !illing to accord the name o# hel" to that !hich ratherhastened than retarded the "rogress o# her decline.

9he had gone to s"end a #e! o# the summer da%s !ith a relati$e in the countr%& some miles #romher home& i# home it could (e called. ne e$ening& to!ards sunset& she !ent out #or a solitar%!al). 3assing #rom the little garden gate& she !ent along a (are countr% road #or some distance&and then& turning aside (% a #oot"ath through a thic)et o# lo! trees& she came out in a lonel% littlechurch%ard on the hillside. *ardl% )no!ing !hether or not she had intended to go there& sheseated hersel# on a mound co$ered !ith long grass& one o# man%. 'e#ore her stood the ruins o# anold church !hich !as ta)ing centuries to crum(le. ;ittle remained (ut the ga(le !all& immensel%thic)& and co$ered !ith ancient i$%. The ra%s o# the setting sun #ell on a mound at its #oot& notgreen li)e the rest& (ut o# a rich red(ro!n in the ros% sunset& and e$identl% (ut ne!l% hea"ed u".*er e%es& too& rested u"on it. 9lo!l% the sun san) (elo! the near hori5on.

As the last (rilliant "oint disa""eared& the i$% dar)ened& and a !ind arose and shoo) all itslea$es& ma)ing them loo) cold and trou(led+ and to lsie4s ear came a lo! #aint sound& as #rom a#aro## (ell. 'ut close (eside herand she started and shi$ered at the soundrose a dee"&monotonous& almost se"ulchral $oice& -0Come hame& come hame@ The !o!& the !o!0@-

At once she understood the !hole. 9he sat in the church%ard o# the ancient "arish church o#uth$en+ and !hen she li#ted u" her e%es& there she sa!& in the hal#ruined (el#r%& the old (ell& all (ut hidden !ith i$%& !hich the "assing !ind had roused to utter one slee"% tone+ and there (esideher& stood the #ool !ith the (ell on his arm+ and to him and to her the 0!o! o4 i$$en0 said&-0Come hame& come hame0@- Ah& !hat did she !ant in the !hole uni$erse o# God (ut a homeAnd though the ground (eneath !as hard& and the s)% o$erhead #ar and (oundless& and thehillside lonel% and com"anionless& %et some!here !ithin the $isi(le and (e%ond these the outer



sur#ace o# creation& there might (e a home #or her+ as round the !intr% house the sno!s liehea"ed u" cold and !hite and drear% all the long 0#orenight0& !hile !ithin& (e%ond the closedshutters& and gi$ing no glimmer through the thic) stone !all& the #ires are (la5ing ?o%ousl%& andthe $oice and laughter o# %oung un#ro5en children are heard& and nothing (elongs to !inter (utthe gre% hairs on the heads o# the "arents& !ithin !hose !arm hearts childli)e $oices are heard&

and childli)e thoughts mo$e to and #ro. The )ernel o# !inter itsel# is s"ring& or a slee"ingsummer.

It !as no !onder that the #ool& cast out o# the earth on a #ar more desolate s"ot than this& shouldsee) to return !ithin her (osom at this "lace o# o"en doors& and should call it 0home0. For surel%the sur#ace o# the earth had no home #or him. The mound at the #oot o# the ga(le contained the (od% o# one !ho had sho!n him )indness. *e had #ollo!ed the #uneral that a#ternoon #rom theto!n& and had remained (ehind !ith the (ell. Indeed it !as his custom& though lsie had not)no!n it& to #ollo! e$er% #uneral going to this& his #a$ourite church%ard o# uth$en+ and& "ossi(l% in imitation o# its (ooming& #or it !as still tolled at the #unerals& he had gi$en the old (ell the name o# 0the !o!0& and had translated its monotonous clangour into the articulate

sounds0come hame& come hame0. /hat "recise meaning he attached to the !ords& it isim"ossi(le to sa%+ (ut it !as e$ident that the "lace "ossessed a strange attraction #or him&dra!ing him to!ards it (% the cords o# some s"iritual magnetism. It is "ossi(le that in the mindo# the idiot there ma% ha$e (een some #eeling a(out this church%ard and (ell& !hich& in the mindo# another& !ould ha$e (ecome a grand "oetic thought+ a #eeling as i# the ghostl% old (ell hung atthe church door o# the in$isi(le !orld& and e$er and anon rung out ?o%ous notes though the%sounded sad in the ears o# the li$ing& calling to the children o# the unseen to 0come home& comehome0. 9he sat #or some time in silence+ #or the (ell did not ring again& and the #ool s"o)e nomore+ till the de!s (egan to #all& !hen she rose and !ent home& #ollo!ed (% her com"anion& !ho "assed the night in the (arn. From that hour lsie !as #urnished !ith a $isual image o# the restshe sought+ an image !hich& mingling !ith dee"er and holier thoughts& (ecame& li)e the (o! setin the cloud& the earthl% "ledge and sign o# the #ul#ilment o# hea$enl% ho"es. #ten !hen the!intr% #og o# cold discom#ort and homelessness #illed her soul& all at once the "icture o# the littlechurch%ard!ith the old ga(le and (el#r%& and the slanting sunlight stee"ing do!n to the $er%roots o# the long grass on the gra$esarose in the dar)ened cham(er 0camera o(scura&0 o# hersoul+ and again she heard the #aint Aeolian sound o# the (ell& and the $oice o# the "ro"het#ool!ho inter"reted the oracle+ and the in!ard !eariness !as soothed (% the "romise o# a long slee"./ho can tell ho! man% ha$e (een counted #ools sim"l% (ecause the% !ere "ro"hets+ or ho!much o# the madness in the !orld ma% (e the utterance o# thoughts true and ?ust& (ut (elongingto a region di##ering #rom ours in its nature and scener%@

'ut to lsie loo)ing out o# her !indo! came the moc)ing tones o# the idle (o%s !ho had chosenas the $ehicle o# their scorn the $er% !ords !hich sho!ed the relation o# the #ool to the eternal&and re$ealed in him an element higher #ar than an% %et de$elo"ed in them. The% turned his glor%into shame& li)e the enemies o# Da$id !hen the% moc)ed the !ould(e )ing. And the (est in aman is o#ten that !hich is most condemned (% those !ho ha$e not attained to his goodness. The!ords& ho!e$er& e$en as re"eated (% the (o%s& had not solel% a!a)ened indignation at the "ersecution o# the old man: the% had li)e!ise com#orted her !ith the thought o# the re#uge thata!aited (oth him and her.



'ut the same e$ening a !orse trial !as in store #or her. Again she sat near the !indo!& o""ressed (% the consciousness that her (rother had come in. *e had gone u"stairs& and his dog hadremained at the door& e2changing surl% com"liments !ith some o# his o!n )ind& !hen the #oolcame strolling "ast& and& I do not )no! #rom !hat cause& the dog #le! at him. lsie heard his cr%and loo)ed u". *er #ear o# the (rute $anished in a moment (e#ore her s%m"ath% #or her #riend.

9he darted #rom the house& and rushed to!ards the dog to drag him o## the de#enceless idiot&calling him (% his name in a tone o# anger and disli)e. *e le#t the #ool& and& s"ringing at lsie&sei5ed her (% the arm a(o$e the el(o! !ith such a gri" that& in the midst o# her agon%& she#ancied she heard the (one crac). 'ut she uttered no cr%& #or the most a""rehensi$e aresometimes the most courageous. ust then& ho!e$er& her #ormer lo$er !as coming along thestreet& and& catching a glim"se o# !hat had ha""ened& !as on the s"ot in an instant& too) the dog (% the throat !ith a gri"e not in#erior to his o!n& and ha$ing thus com"elled him to rela2 hishold& dashed him on the ground !ith a #orce that almost stunned him& and then !ith a su"eradded)ic) sent him a!a% lim"ing and ho!ling+ !hereu"on the #ool& attac)ing him #uriousl% !ith astic)& !ould certainl% ha$e #inished him& had not his master descried his "light and come to hisrescue.

Meantime the %oung surgeon had carried lsie into the house+ #or& as soon as she !as rescued#rom the dog& she had #allen do!n in one o# her #its& !hich !ere (ecoming more and more#re,uent o# themsel$es& and little needed such a shoc) as this to increase their $iolence. *e !asdressing her arm !hen she (egan to reco$er+ and !hen she o"ened her e%es& in a state o# hal#consciousness& he #irst o(?ect she (eheld !as his #ace (ending o$er her. ecalling nothing o#!hat had occurred& it seemed to her& in the dream% condition in !hich the #it had le#t her& thesame #ace& unchanged& !hich had once shone in u"on her tard% s"ringtime& and "romised tori"en it into summer. 9he #orgot it had de"arted and le#t her in the !intr% cold. And so she uttered!ild !ords o# lo$e and trust+ and the %outh& !hile stung !ith remorse at his o!n neglect& !asastonished to "ercei$e the "oetic #orms o# (eaut% in !hich the soul o# the uneducated maiden (urst into #lo!er. 'ut as her senses reco$ered themsel$es& the #ace graduall% changed to her& as i# the slo! alteration o# t!o %ears had (een "hantasmagoricall% com"ressed into a #e! moments+and the glo! de"arted #rom the maiden4s thoughts and !ords& and her soul #ound itsel# at thenarro! !indo! o# the "resent& #rom !hich she could (ehold (ut a drear% countr%.From thestreet came the iam(ic cr% o# the #ool& 0-Come hame& come hame.-0

T%cho 'rahe& I thin)& is said to ha$e )e"t a #ool& !ho #re,uentl% sat at his #eet in his stud%& and to!hose mutterings he used to listen in the "auses o# his o!n thought. The shining soul o# theastronomer dre! #orth the rain(o! o# harmon% #rom the mist% s"ra% o# !ords ascending e$er#rom the dar) gul# into !hich the thoughts o# the idiot !ere e$er #alling. *e (eheld curiousconcurrences o# !ords therein+ and could read strange meanings #rom themsometimes e$enrecei$ed !ondrous hints #or the direction o# celestial in,uir%& #rom !hat& to an% other& and it ma% (e to the #ool himsel#& !as (ut a ceaseless and aimless (a((le. 9uch "o!er lieth in !ords. It isnot then to (e !ondered at& that the sounds I ha$e mentioned should #all on the ears o# lsie& atsuch a moment& as a message #rom God *imsel#. This thenall this dreariness!as (ut a "assingsho! li)e the rest& and there la% some!here #or her a realit%a home. The tears (urst u" #rom her o""ressed heart. 9he recei$ed the message& and "re"ared to go home. From that time her strengthgraduall% san)& (ut her s"irits as steadil% rose.



The strength o# the #ool& too& (egan to #ail& #or he !as old. *e (ore all the signs o# age& e$en tothe gre% hairs& !hich (eto)ened no !isdom. 'ut one cannot sa% !hat !isdom might (e in him&or ho! #ar he had #ought his o!n (attle& and (een $ictorious. /hether an% notion o# acontinuance o# li#e and thought d!elt in his (rain& it is im"ossi(le to tell+ (ut he seemed to ha$ethe idea that this !as not his home+ and those !ho sa! him graduall% a""roaching his end& might

!ell antici"ate #or him a higher li#e in the !orld to come. *e had "assed through this !orld!ithout e$er a!a)ing to such a consciousness o# (eing as is common to man)ind. *e had s"enthis %ears li)e a !ear% dream through a long nighta strange& dismal& un)indl% dream+ and no!the morning !as at hand. #ten in his dream had he listened !ith slee"% senses to the ringing o#the (ell& (ut that (ell !ould a!a)e him at last. *e !as li)e a seed (uried too dee" in the soil& to!hich the light has ne$er "enetrated& and !hich& there#ore& has ne$er #orced its !a% u"!ards tothe o"en air& e$er e2"erienced the resurrection o# the dead. 'ut seeds !ill gro! ages a#ter the%ha$e #allen into the earth+ and& indeed& !ith man% )inds& and !ithin some limits& the older theseed (e#ore it germinates& the more "lenti#ul the #ruit. And ma% it not (e (elie$ed o# man% human (eings& that& the Great *us(andman ha$ing so!n them li)e seeds in the soil o# human a##airs&there the% lie (uried a li#e long+ and onl% a#ter the u"turning o# the soil (% death reach a "osition

in !hich the a!a)ening o# their as"iration and the conse,uent gro!th (ecome "ossi(le. 9urel%*e has made nothing in $ain.

A $iolent cold and cough (rought him at last near to his end& and hearing that he !as ill& lsie$entured one (right s"ring da% to go to see him. /hen she entered the misera(le room !here hela%& he held out his hand to her !ith something li)e a smile& and muttered #ee(l% and "ain#ull%&-I4m gaein4 to the !o!& nae to come (ac) again.- lsie could not restrain her tears+ !hile the oldman& loo)ing #i2edl% at her& though !ith meaningless e%es& muttered& #or the last time& -0Comehame@ come hame@0- and san) into a letharg%& #rom !hich nothing could rouse him& till& ne2tmorning& he !as !a)ed (% #riendl% death #rom the long slee" o# this !orld4s night. The% (orehim to his #a$ourite church%ard& and (uried him !ithin the site o# the old church& (elo! his lo$ed (ell& !hich had e$er (een to him as the cuc)oonote o# a coming s"ring. Thus he at lengtho(e%ed its summons& and !ent home.

lsie lingered till the #irst summer da%s la% !arm on the land. 9e$eral )ind hearts in the $illage&hearing o# her illness& $isited her and ministered to her. /ondering at her s!eetness and "atience&the% regretted the% had not )no!n her (e#ore. *o! much consolation might not their )indnessha$e im"arted& and ho! much might not their s%m"ath% ha$e strengthened her on her "ain#ulroad@ 'ut the% could not long ha$e dela%ed her going home. >or& mentall% constituted as she!as& !ould this ha$e (een at all to (e desired. Indeed it !as chie#l% the e2"ectation o# de"arturethat ,uieted and soothed her tremulous nature. It is true that a dee" s"ring o# ho"e and #aith )e"tsinging on in her heart& (ut this alone& !ithout the antici"ation o# s"eed% release& could onl% ha$e)e"t her mind at "eace. It could not ha$e reached& at least #or a long time& the (order land (et!een (od% and mind& in !hich her disease la%.

ne still night o# summer& the nurse !ho !atched (% her (edside heard her murmur through herslee"& -I hear it: 0come hamecome hame0. I4m comin4& I4m comin4I4m gaein4 hame to the !o!&nae to come (ac).- 9he a!o)e at the sound o# her o!n !ords& and (egged the nurse to con$e% toher (rother her last re,uest& that she might (e (uried (% the side o# the #ool& !ithin the old churcho# uth$en. Then she turned her #ace to the !all& and in the morning !as #ound ,uiet and cold.

george macdonald - stories

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