第9章

Theringingofthebellhadcausedtheadjoiningbedchambertobelighted.Itnowshonebrightly,throughthedoorofcommunication.TheMarquislookedthatway,andlistenedfortheretreatingstepofhisvalet.

`Englandisveryattractivetoyou,seeinghowindifferentlyyouhaveprosperedthere,"heobservedthen,turninghiscalmfacetohisnephewwithasmile.

`Ihavealreadysaid,thatformyprosperingthere,IamsensibleImaybeindebtedtoyou,sir.Fortherest,itismyRefuge."

`Theysay,thoseboastfulEnglish,thatitistheRefugeofmany.YouknowacompatriotwhohasfoundaRefugethere?ADoctor?"

`Yes."

`With,adaughter?"

`Yes,"saidtheMarquis.`Youarefatigued.Good-night!"

Ashebenthisheadinhismostcourtlymanner,therewasasecrecyinhissmilingface,andheconveyedanairofmysterytothosewords,whichstrucktheeyesandearsofhisnephewforcibly.Atthesametime,thethinstraightlinesofthesettingoftheeyes,andthethinstraightlips,andthemarkingsinthenose,curvedwithasarcasmthatlookedhandsomelydiabolic.

`Yes,"repeatedtheMarquis.`ADoctorwithadaughter.Yes.Socommencesthenewphilosophy!Youarefatigued.Good-night!"

Itwouldhavebeenofasmuchavailtointerrogateanystonefaceoutsidethechaateauastointerrogatethatfaceofhis.Thenephewlookedathiminvain,inpassingontothedoor.

`Good-night!"saidtheuncle.`Ilooktothepleasureofseeingyouagaininthemorning.Goodrepose!LightMonsieurmynephewtohischamberthere!——AndburnMonsieurmynephewinhisbed,ifyouwill,"headdedtohimself,beforeheranghislittlebellagain,andsummonedhisvalettohisownbedroom.

Thevaletcomeandgone,MonsieurtheMarquiswalkedtoandfroinhisloosechamber-robe,topreparehimselfgentlyforsleep,thathotstillnight.Rustlingabouttheroom,hissoftly-slipperedfeetmakingnonoiseonthefloor,hemovedlikearefinedtiger——lookedlikesomeenchantedmarquisoftheimpenitentlywickedsort,instory,whoseperiodicalchangeintotigerformwaseitherjustgoingoff,orjustcomingon.

Hemovedfromendtoendofhisvoluptuousbedroom,lookingagainatthescrapsoftheday"sjourneythatcameunbiddenintohismind;theslowtoilupthehillatsunset,thesettingsun,thedescent,themill,theprisononthecrag,thelittlevillageinthehollow,thepeasantsatthefountain,andthemenderofroadswithhisbluecappointingoutthechainunderthecarriage.ThatfountainsuggestedtheParisfountain,thelittlebundlelyingonthestep,thewomenbendingoverit,andthetallmanwithhisarmsup,crying,`Dead!"

`Iamcoolnow,"saidMonsieurtheMarquis,`andmaygotobed."

So,leavingonlyonelightburningonthelargehearth,helethisthingauzecurtainsfallaroundhim,andheardthenightbreakitssilencewithalongsighashecomposedhimselftosleep.

Thestonefacesontheouterwallsstaredblindlyattheblacknightforthreeheavyhours;forthreeheavyhourstilehorsesinthestablesrattledattheirracks,thedogsbarked,andtheowlmadeanoisewithverylittleresemblanceinittothenoiseconventionallyassignedtotheowlbymen-poets.Butitistheobstinatecustomofsuchcreatureshardlyevertosaywhatissetdownforthem.

Forthreeheavyhours,thestonefacesofthechaateau,lionandhuman,staredblindlyatthenight.Deaddarknesslayonallthelandscape,deaddarknessaddeditsownhushtothehushingdustonalltheroads.Theburial-placehadgottothepassthatitslittleheapsofpoorgrasswereundistinguishablefromoneanother;thefigureontheCrossmighthavecomedown,foranythingthatcouldbeseenofit.Inthevillage,taxersandtaxedwerefastasleep.Dreaming,perhaps,ofbanquets,asthestarvedusuallydo,andofeaseandrest,asthedrivenslaveandtheyokedoxmay,itsleaninhabitantssleptsoundly,andwerefedandfreed.

Thefountaininthevillageflowedunseenandunheard,andthefountainatthechaateaudroppedunseenandunheard——bothmeltingaway,liketheminutesthatwerefallingfromthespringofTime——throughthreedarkhours.Then,thegreywaterofbothbegantobeghostlyinthelight,andtheeyesofthestonefacesofthechaateauwereopened.

Lighterandlighter,untilatlastthesuntouchedthetopsofthestilltrees,andpoureditsradianceoverthehill.Intheglow,thewaterofthechaateaufountainseemedtoturntoblood,andthestonefacescrimsoned.Thecarolofthebirdswasloudandhigh,and,ontheweather-beatensillofthegreatwindowofthebedchamberofMonsieurtheMarquis,onelittlebirdsangitssweetestsongwithallitsmight.Atthis,theneareststonefaceseemedtostareamazed,and,withopenedmouthanddroppedunder-jaw,lookedawe-stricken.

Now,thesunwasfullup,andmovementbeganinthevillage.Casementwindowsopened,crazydoorswereunbarred,andpeoplecameforthshivering——chilled,asyet,bythenewsweetair.Thenbegantherarelylightenedtoilofthedayamongthevillagepopulation.Some,tothefountain;some,tothefields;menandwomenhere,todiganddelve;menandwomenthere,toseetothepoorlivestock,andleadthebonycowsout,tosuchpastureascouldbefoundbytheroadside.InthechurchandattheCross,akneelingfigureortwo;attendantonthelatterprayers,theledcow,tryingforabreakfastamongtheweedsatitsfoot.

Thechaateauawokelater,asbecameitsquality,butawokegraduallyandsurely.First,thelonelyboar-spearsandknivesofthechasehadbeenreddenedasofold;then,hadgleamedtrenchantinthemorningsunshine;now,doorsandwindowswerethrownopen,horsesintheirstableslookedroundovertheirshouldersatthelightandfreshnesspouringinatdoor+ways,leavessparkledandrustledatiron-gratedwindows,dogspulledhardattheirchains,andrearedimpatienttobeloosed.

Allthesetrivialincidentsbelongedtotheroutineoflife,andthereturnofmorning.Surely,notsotheringingofthegreathellofthechaateau,northerunningupanddownthestairs;northehurriedfiguresontheterrace;northebootingandtrampinghereandthereandeverywhere,northequicksaddlingofhorsesandridingaway?

Whatwindsconveyedthishurrytothegrizzledmenderofroads,alreadyatworkonthehill-topbeyondthevillage,withhisday"sdinner(notmuchtocarry)lyinginabundlethatitwasworthnocrow"swhiletopeckat,onaheapofstones?Hadthebirds,carryingsomegrainsofittoadistance,droppedoneoverhimastheysowchanceseeds?Whetherorno,themenderofroadsran,onthesultrymorning,asifforhislife,downthehill,knee-highindust,andneverstoppedtillhegottothefountain.

Allthepeopleofthevillagewereatthefountain,standingaboutintheirdepressedmanner,andwhisperinglow,butshowingnootheremotionsthangrimcuriosityandsurprise.Theledcows,hastilybroughtinandtetheredtoanythingthatwouldholdthem,werelookingstupidlyon,orlyingdownchewingthecudofnothingparticularlyrepayingtheirtrouble,whichtheyhadpickedupintheirinterruptedsaunter.Someofthepeopleofthechaateau,andsomeofthoseoftheposting-house,andallthetaxingauthorities,werearmedmoreorless,andwerecrowdedontheothersideofthelittlestreetinapurposelessway,thatwashighlyfraughtwithnothing.Already,themenderofroadshadpenetratedintothemidstofagroupoffiftyparticularfriends,andwassmitinghimselfinthebreastwithhisbluecap.Whatdidallthisportend,andwhatportendedtheswifthoisting-upofMonsieurGabellebehindaservantonhorseback,andtheconveyingawayofthesaidGabelle(double-ladenthoughthehorsewas),atagallop,likeanewversionoftheGermanballadofLeonora?

Itportendedthattherewasonestonefacetoomany,upatthechaateau.

TheGorgonhadsurveyedthebuildingagaininthenight,andhadaddedtheonestonefacewanting;thestonefaceforwhichithadwaitedthroughabouttwohundredyears.

ItlaybackonthepillowofMonsieurtheMarquis.Itwaslikeafinemask,suddenlystartled,madeangry,andpetrified.Drivenhomeintotheheartofthestonefigureattachedtoit,wasaknife.Rounditshiltwasafrillofpaper,onwhichwasscrawled:

`Drivehimfasttohistomb.This,fromJACQUES."

CHAPTERX

TwoPromises

MOREmonths,tothenumberoftwelve,hadcomeandgone,andMr.CharlesDarnaywasestablishedinEnglandasahigherteacheroftheFrenchlanguagewhowasconversantwithFrenchliterature.Inthisage,hewouldhavebeenaProfessor;inthatage,hewasaTutor.Hereadwithyoungmenwhocouldfindanyleisureandinterestforthestudyofalivingtonguespokenallovertheworld,andhecultivatedatasteforitsstoresofknowledgeandfancy.Hecouldwriteofthem,besides,insoundEnglish,andrenderthemintosoundEnglish.Suchmasterswerenotatthattimeeasilyfound;Princesthathadbeen,andKingsthatweretobe,werenotyetoftheTeacherclass,andnoruinednobilityhaddroppedoutofTellson"sledgers,toturncooksandcarpenters.Asatutor,whoseattainmentsmadethestudent"swayunusuallypleasantandprofitable,andasaneleganttranslatorwhobroughtsomethingtohisworkbesidesmeredictionaryknowledge,youngMr.Darnaysoonbecameknownandencouraged.Hewaswellacquainted,moreover,withthecircumstancesofhiscountry,andthosewereofever-growinginterest.So,withgreatperseveranceanduntiringindustry,heprospered.

InLondon,hehadexpectedneithertowalkonpavementsofgold,nortolieonbedsofroses:ifhehadhadanysuchexaltedexpectation,hewouldnothaveprospered.Hehadexpectedlabour,andhefoundit,anddidit,andmadethebestofit.Inthis,hisprosperityconsisted.

AcertainportionofhistimewaspassedatCambridge,wherehereadwithundergraduatesasasortoftoleratedsmugglerwhodroveacontrabandtradeinEuropeanlanguages,insteadofconveyingGreekandLatinthroughtheCustom-house.TherestofhistimehepassedinLondon.

Now,fromthedayswhenitwasalwayssummerinEden,tothesedayswhenitismostlywinterinfallenlatitudes,theworldofamanhasinvariablygoneoneway——CharlesDarnay"sway——thewayoftheloveofawoman.

HehadlovedLucieManettefromthehourofhisdanger.Hehadneverheardasoundsosweetanddearasthesoundofhercompassionatevoice;hehadneverseenafacesotenderlybeautiful,asherswhenitwasconfrontedwithhisownontheedgeofthegravethathadbeendugforhim.But,hehadnotyetspokentoheronthesubject;theassassinationatthedesertedchaateaufarawaybeyondtheheavingwaterandthelong,long,dustyroads——thesolidstonechaateauwhichhaditselfbecomethemeremistofadream——hadbeendoneayear,andhehadneveryet,bysomuchasasinglespokenword,disclosedtoherthestateofhisheart.

Thathehadhisreasonsforthis,heknewfullwell.Itwasagainasummerdaywhen,latelyarrivedinLondonfromhiscollegeoccupation,heturnedintothequietcornerinSoho,bentonseekinganopportunityofopeninghismindtoDoctorManette.Itwasthecloseofthesummerday,andheknewLucietobeoutwithMissPross.

HefoundtheDoctorreadinginhisarm-chairatawindow.Theenergywhichhadatoncesupportedhimunderhisoldsufferingsandaggravatedtheirsharpness,hadbeengraduallyrestoredtohim.Hewasnowaveryenergeticmanindeedwithgreatfirmnessofpurpose,strengthofresolution,andvigourofaction.Inhisrecoveredenergyhewassometimesalittlefitfulandsudden,ashehadatfirstbeenintheexerciseofhisotherrecoveredfaculties;but,thishadneverbeenfrequentlyobservable,andhadgrownmoreandmorerare.

Hestudiedmuch,sleptlittle,sustainedagreatdealoffatiguewithease,andwasequablycheerful.Tohim,nowenteredCharlesDarnay,atsightofwhomhelaidasidehisbookandheldouthishand.

`CharlesDarnay!Irejoicetoseeyou.Wehavebeencountingonyourreturnthesethreeorfourdayspast.Mr.StryverandSydneyCartonwerebothhereyesterday,andbothmadeyououttobemorethandue.

`Iamobligedtothemfortheirinterestinthematter,"heanswered,alittlecoldlyastochem,thoughverywarmlyastotheDoctor.`MissManette——"

`Iswell,"saidtheDoctor,ashestoppedshort,`andyourreturnwilldelightusall.Shehasgoneoutonsomehouseholdmatters,butwillsoonbehome."

`DoctorManette,Iknewshewasfromhome.Itooktheopportunityofherbeingfromhome,tobegtospeaktoyou."

Therewasablanksilence.

`Yes?"saidtheDoctor,withevidentconstraint.`Bringyourchairhere,andspeakon."

Hecompliedastothechair,butappearedtofindthespeakingonlesseasy.

`Ihavehadthehappiness,DoctorManette,ofbeingsointimatehere,"soheatlengthbegan,`forsomeyearandahalf,thatIhopethetopiconwhichIamabouttotouchmaynot——"

HewasstayedbytheDoctor"sputtingouthishandtostophim.Whenhehadkeptitsoalittlewhile,hesaid,drawingitback:

`IsLuciethetopic?"

`Sheis."

`Itishardformetospeakofheratanytime.Itisveryhardformetohearherspokenofinthattoneofyours,CharlesDarnay."

`Itisatoneofferventadmiration,truehomage,anddeeplove,DoctorManette!"hesaiddeferentially.

Therewasanotherblanksilencebeforeherfatherrejoined:`Ibelieveit.Idoyoujustice;Ibelieveit."

Hisconstraintwassomanifest,anditwassomanifest,too,thatitoriginatedinanunwillingnesstoapproachthesubject,thatCharlesDarnayhesitated.

`ShallIgoon,sir?"

Anotherblank.

`Yes,goon."

`YouanticipatewhatIwouldsay,thoughyoucannotknowhowearnestlyIsayit,howearnestlyIfeelit,withoutknowingmysecretheart,andthehopesandfearsandanxietieswithwhichithaslongbeenladen.DearDoctorManette,Iloveyourdaughterfondly,dearly,disinterestedly,devotedly.Ifevertherewereloveintheworld,Iloveher.Youhavelovedyourself;letyouroldlovespeakforme!"

TheDoctorsatwithhisfaceturnedaway,andhiseyesbentontheground.Atthelastwords,hestretchedouthishandagain,hurriedly,andcried:

`Notthat,sir!Letthatbe!Iadjureyou,donotrecallthat!"

Hiscrywassolikeacryofactualpain,thatitranginCharlesDarnay"searslongafterhehadceased.Hemotionedwiththehandhehadextended,anditseemedtobeanappealtoDarnaytopause.Thelattersoreceivedit,andremainedsilent.

`Iaskyourpardon,"saidtheDoctor,inasubduedtone,aftersomemoments.`IdonotdoubtyourlovingLucie;youmaybesatisfiedofit."

Heturnedtowardshiminhischair,butdidnotlookathim,orraisehiseyes.Hischindroppeduponhishand,andhiswhitehairovershadowedhisface:

`HaveyouspokentoLucie?"

`No."

`Norwritten?"

`Never."

`Itwouldbeungeneroustoaffectnottoknowthatyourself-denialistobereferredtoyourconsiderationforherfather.Herfatherthanksyou.

Heofferedhishand;buthiseyesdidnotgowithit.

`Iknow,"saidDarnay,respectfully,`howcanIfailtoknow,DoctorManette,Iwhohaveseenyoutogetherfromdaytoday,thatbetweenyouandMissManettethereisanaffectionsounusual,sotouching,sobelongingtothecircumstancesinwhichithasbeennurtured,thatitcanhavefewparallels,eveninthetendernessbetweenafatherandchild.Iknow,Dr.Manette——howcanIfailtoknow——that,mingledwiththeaffectionanddutyofadaughterwhohasbecomeawoman,thereis,inherheart,towardsyou,alltheloveandrelianceofinfancyitself.Iknowthat,asinherchildhoodshehadnoparent,sosheisnowdevotedtoyouwithalltheconstancyandfervourofherpresentyearsandcharacter,unitedtothetrustfulnessandattachmentoftheearlydaysinwhichyouwerelosttoher.Iknowperfectlywellthatifyouhadbeenrestoredtoherfromtheworldbeyondthislife,youcouldhardlybeinvested,inhersight,withamoresacredcharacterthanthatinwhichyouarealwayswithher.Iknowthatwhensheisclingingtoyou,thehandsofbaby,girl,andwoman,allinone,areroundyourneck.Iknowthatinlovingyousheseesandloveshermotheratherownage,seesandlovesyouatmyage,loveshermotherbroken+hearted,lovesyouthroughyourdreadfultrialandinyourblessedrestoration.Ihaveknownthis,nightandday,sinceIhaveknownyouinyourhome."

Herfathersatsilent,withhisfacebentdown.Hisbreathingwasalittlequickened;butherepressedallothersignsofagitation.

`DearDoctormanettealwaysknowingthis,alwaysseeingherandyouwiththishallowedlightaboutyou,Ihaveforborne,andforborne,aslongasitwasinthenatureofmantodoit.Ihavefelt,anddoevennowfeel,thattobringmylove——evenmine——betweenyou,istotouchyourhistorywithsomethingnotquitesogoodasitself.ButIloveher.HeavenismywitnessthatIloveher!"

`Ibelieveit,"answeredherfather,mournfully.`Ihavethoughtsobeforenow.Ibelieveit."

`But,donotbelieve,"saidDarnay,uponwhoseearthemournfulvoicestruckwithareproachfulsound,`thatifmyfortuneweresocastasthat,beingonedaysohappyastomakehermywife,Imustatanytimeputanyseparationbetweenherandyou,IcouldorwouldbreatheawordofwhatInowsay.BesidesthatIshouldknowittobehopeless,Ishouldknowittobeabaseness.IfIhadanysuchpossibility,evenataremotedistanceofyears,harbouredinmythoughts,and`hiddeninmyheart——ifiteverhadbeenthere——ifitevercouldbethere——Icouldnotnowtouchthishonouredhand."

Helaidhisownuponitashespoke.

`No,dearDoctorManette.Likeyou,avoluntaryexilefromFrance;likeyou,drivenfromitbyitsdistractions,oppressions,andmiseries;likeyou,strivingtoliveawayfromitbymyownexertions,andtrustinginahappierfuture;Ilookonlytosharingyourfortunes,sharingyourlifeandhome,andbeingfaithfultoyoutothedeath.NottodividewithLucieherprivilegeasyourchild,companion,andfriend;buttocomeinaidofit,andbindherclosertoyou,ifsuchathingcanbe."

Histouchstilllingeredonherfather"shand.Answeringthetouchforamoment,butnotcoldly,herfatherrestedhishandsuponthearmsofhischair,andlookedupforthefirsttimesincethebeginningoftheconference.Astrugglewasevidentlyinhisface;astrugglewiththatoccasionallookwhichhadatendencyinittodarkdoubtanddread.

`Youspeaksofeelinglyandsomanfully,CharlesDarnay,thatIthankyouwithallmyheart,andwillopenallmyheart——ornearlyso.HaveyouanyreasontobelievethatLucielovesyou?"

`None.Asyet,none.

`Isittheimmediateobjectofthisconfidence,thatyoumayatonceascertainthat,withmyknowledge?"

`Notevenso.Imightnothavethehopefulnesstodoitforweeks;Imight(mistakenornotmistaken)havethathopefulnessto-morrow.

`Doyouseekanyguidancefromme?"

`Iasknone,sir.ButIhavethoughtitpossiblethatyoumighthaveitinyourpower,ifyoushoulddeemitright,togivemesome."

`Doyouseekanypromisefromme?"

`Idoseekthat.

`Whatisit?"

`Iwellunderstandthat,withoutyou,Icouldhavenohope.Iwellunderstandthat,evenifMissManetteheldmeatthismomentinherinnocentheart——donotthinkIhavethepresumptiontoassumesomuch——Icouldretainnoplaceinitagainstherloveforherfather."

Ifthatbeso,doyousecwhat,ontheotherhand,isinvolvedinit?"

`Iunderstandequallywell,thatawordfromherfatherinanysuitor"sfavour,wouldoutweighherselfandalltheworld.Forwhichreason,DoctorManette,"saidDarnay,modestlybutfirmly,`Iwouldnotaskthatword,tosavemylife."

`Iamsureofit.CharlesDarnay,mysteriesariseoutofcloselove,aswellasoutofwidedivision;intheformercase,theyaresubtleanddelicate,anddifficulttopenetrate.MydaughterLucieis,inthisonerespect,suchamysterytome;Icanmakenoguessatthestateofherheart."

`MayIask,sir,ifyouthinksheis——"Ashehesitated,herfathersuppliedtherest.

`Issoughtbyanyothersuitor?"

`ItiswhatImeanttosay."

Herfatherconsideredalittlebeforeheanswered:

`YouhaveseenMr.Cartonhere,yourself.Mr.Stryverisheretoo,occasionally.Ifitbeatall,itcanonlybebyoneofthese."

`Orboth,"saidDarnay.

`Ihadnotthoughtofboth;Ishouldnotthinkeither,likely.Youwantapromisefromme.Tellmewhatitis.

`Itis,thatifMissManetteshouldbringtoyouatanytime,onherownpart,suchaconfidenceasIhaveventuredtolaybeforeyou,youwillbeartestimonytowhatIhavesaid,andtoyourbeliefinit.Ihopeyoumaybeabletothinksowellofme,astourgenoinfluenceagainstme.Isaynothingmoreofmystakeinthis;thisiswhatIask.TheconditiononwhichIaskit,andwhichyouhaveanundoubtedrighttorequire,Iwillobserveimmediately."

`Igivethepromise,"saidtheDoctor,`withoutanycondition.Ibelieveyourobjecttobe,purelyandtruthfully,asyouhavestatedit.Ibelieveyourintentionistoperpetuate,andnottoweaken,thetiesbetweenmeandmyotherandfardearerself.Ifsheshouldevertellmethatyouareessentialtoherperfecthappiness,Iwillgivehertoyou.Iftherewere——CharlesDarnay,iftherewere——"

Theyoungmanhadtakenhishandgratefully;theirhandswerejoinedastheDoctorspoke:

`——anyfancies,anyreasons,anyapprehensions,anythingwhatsoever,neworold,againstthemanshereallyloved——thedirectresponsibilitythereofnotlyingonhishead——theyshouldallbeobliteratedforhersake.Sheiseverythingtome;moretomethansuffering,moretomethanwrong,moretome——Well!Thisisidletalk."

Sostrangewasthewayinwhichhefadedintosilence,andsostrangehisfixedlookwhenhehadceasedtospeak,thatDarnayfelthisownhandturncoldinthehandthatslowlyreleasedanddroppedit.

`Yousaidsomethingtome,"saidDoctorManette,breakingintoasmile.`Whatwasityousaidtome?"

Hewasatalosshowtoanswer,untilherememberedhavingspokenofacondition.Relievedashismindrevertedtothat,heanswered:

`Yourconfidenceinmeoughttobereturnedwithfullconfidenceonmypart.Mypresentname,thoughbutslightlychangedfrommymother"s,isnot,asyouwillremember,myOwn.Iwishtotellyouwhatthatis,andwhyIaminEngland."

`Stop!"saidtheDoctorofBeauvais.

`Iwishit,thatImaythebetterdeserveyourconfidence,andhavenosecretfromyou.

`Stop!"

Foraninstant,theDoctorevenhadhistwohandsathisears;foranotherinstant,evenhadhistwohandslaidonDarnay"slips.

`TellmewhenIaskyou,notnow.Ifyoursuitshouldprosper,ifLucieshouldloveyou,youshalltellmeonyourmarriagemorning.Doyoupromise?"

`Willingly."

`Givemeyourhand.Shewillbehomedirectly,anditisbettersheshouldnotseeustogetherto-night.Go!Godblessyou!"

ItwasdarkwhenCharlesDarnaylefthim,anditwasanhourlateranddarkerwhenLuciecamehome;shehurriedintotheroomalone——forMissProsshadgonestraightupstairs——andwassurprisedtofindhisreading-chairempty.

`Myfather!"shecalledtohim.`Fatherdear!"

Nothingwassaidinanswer,butsheheardalowhammeringsoundinhisbedroom.Passinglightlyacrosstheintermediateroom,shelookedinathisdoorandcamerunningbackfrightened,cryingtoherself,withherbloodallchilled,`WhatshallIdo!WhatshallIdo!"

Heruncertaintylastedbutamoment;shehurriedback,andtappedathisdoor,andsoftlycalledtohim.Thenoiseceasedatthesoundofhervoice,andhepresentlycameouttoher,andtheywalkedupanddowntogetherforalongtime.

Shecamedownfromherbed,tolookathiminhissleepthatnight.Hesleptheavily,andhistrayofshoemakingtools,andhisoldunfinishedwork,wereallasusual.

CHAPTERXI

ACompanionPicture

`SYDNEY,"saidMr.Stryver,onthatself-samenight,ormorning,tohisjackal;`mixanotherbowlofpunch;Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou."

Sydneyhadbeenworkingdoubletidesthatnight,andthenightbefore,andthenightbeforethat,andagoodmanynightsinsuccession,makingagrandclearanceamongMr.Stryver"spapersbeforethesettinginofthelongvacation.Theclearancewaseffectedatlast;theStryverarrearswerehandsomelyfetchedup;everythingwasgotridofuntilNovembershouldcomewithitsfogsatmosphericandfogslegal,andbringgristtothemillagain.

Sydneywasnonethelivelierandnonethesobererforsomuchapplication.Ithadtakenadealofextrawet-towellingtopullhimthroughthenight;acorrespondinglyextraquantityofwinehadprecededthetowelling;andhewasinaverydamagedcondition,ashenowpulledhisturbanoffandthrewitintothebasininwhichhehadsteepeditatintervalsforthelastsixhours.

`Areyoumixingthatotherbowlofpunch?"saidStryvertheportly,withhishandsinhiswaistband,glancingroundfromthesofawherehelayonhisback,

`Iam."

`Now,lookhere!Iamgoingtotellyousomethingthatwillrathersurpriseyou,andthatperhapswillmakeyouthinkmenotquiteasshrewdasyouusuallydothinkme.Iintendtomarry.

`Doyou?"

`Yes.Andnotformoney.Whatdoyousaynow?"

`Idon"tfeeldisposedtosaymuch.Whoisshe?"

`Guess."

`DoIknowher?"

`Guess."

`Iamnotgoingtoguess,atfiveo"clockinthemorning,withmybrainsfryingandsputteringinmy,head.Ifyouwantmetoguess,youmustaskmetodinner.

`Wellthen,I"lltellyou,"saidStryver,comingslowlyintoasittingposture.`Sydney,Iratherdespairofmakingmyselfintelligibletoyou,becauseyouaresuchaninsensibledog."

`Andyou,"returnedSydney,busyconcoctingthepunch,`aresuchasensitiveandpoeticalspirit."