第4章
theyembracedeachother。Itwasasjoyfultobeforgivenpastunworthinessesastoforgivethem。Foramomenttheyrealizedvastpossibilitiesofgood。
Theolderpeoplerecoveredquickly。Intheveryheightoftheiremotiontheyknewittobeunmanlyorunladylike。MissLavishcalculatedthat，eveniftheyhadcontinued，theywouldnothavebeencaughtintheaccident。Mr。Eagermumbledatemperateprayer。Butthedrivers，throughmilesofdarksqualidroad，pouredouttheirsoulstothedryadsandthesaints，andLucypouredoutherstohercousin。
"Charlotte，dearCharlotte，kissme。Kissmeagain。Onlyyoucanunderstandme。Youwarnedmetobecareful。AndI——IthoughtI
wasdeveloping。”
"Donotcry，dearest。Takeyourtime。”
"Ihavebeenobstinateandsilly——worsethanyouknow，farworse。
Oncebytheriver——Oh，butheisn"tkilled——hewouldn"tbekilled，wouldhe？"
Thethoughtdisturbedherrepentance。Asamatteroffact，thestormwasworstalongtheroad；butshehadbeenneardanger，andsoshethoughtitmustbeneartoeveryone。
"Itrustnot。Onewouldalwaysprayagainstthat。”
"Heisreally——Ithinkhewastakenbysurprise，justasIwasbefore。ButthistimeI"mnottoblame；Iwantyoutobelievethat。Isimplyslippedintothoseviolets。No，Iwanttobereallytruthful。Iamalittletoblame。Ihadsillythoughts。
Thesky，youknow，wasgold，andthegroundallblue，andforamomenthelookedlikesomeoneinabook。”
"Inabook？"
"Heroes——gods——thenonsenseofschoolgirls。”
"Andthen？"
"But，Charlotte，youknowwhathappenedthen。”
MissBartlettwassilent。Indeed，shehadlittlemoretolearn。
Withacertainamountofinsightshedrewheryoungcousinaffectionatelytoher。AllthewaybackLucy"sbodywasshakenbydeepsighs，whichnothingcouldrepress。
"Iwanttobetruthful，"shewhispered。"Itissohardtobeabsolutelytruthful。”
"Don"tbetroubled，dearest。Waittillyouarecalmer。Wewilltalkitoverbeforebed-timeinmyroom。”
Sotheyre-enteredthecitywithhandsclasped。Itwasashocktothegirltofindhowfaremotionhadebbedinothers。Thestormhadceased，andMr。Emersonwaseasierabouthisson。Mr。Beebehadregainedgoodhumour，andMr。EagerwasalreadysnubbingMissLavish。Charlottealoneshewassureof——Charlotte，whoseexteriorconcealedsomuchinsightandlove。
Theluxuryofself-exposurekeptheralmosthappythroughthelongevening。Shethoughtnotsomuchofwhathadhappenedasofhowsheshoulddescribeit。Allhersensations，herspasmsofcourage，hermomentsofunreasonablejoy，hermysteriousdiscontent，shouldbecarefullylaidbeforehercousin。Andtogetherindivineconfidencetheywoulddisentangleandinterpretthemall。
"Atlast，"thoughtshe，"Ishallunderstandmyself。Ishan"tagainbetroubledbythingsthatcomeoutofnothing，andmeanI
don"tknowwhat。”
MissAlanaskedhertoplay。Sherefusedvehemently。Musicseemedtohertheemploymentofachild。Shesatclosetohercousin，who，withcommendablepatience，waslisteningtoalongstoryaboutlostluggage。Whenitwasovershecappeditbyastoryofherown。Lucybecameratherhystericalwiththedelay。Invainshetriedtocheck，oratalleventstoaccelerate，thetale。ItwasnottillalatehourthatMissBartletthadrecoveredherluggageandcouldsayinherusualtoneofgentlereproach:
"Well，dear，IatalleventsamreadyforBedfordshire。Comeintomyroom，andIwillgiveagoodbrushtoyourhair。”
Withsomesolemnitythedoorwasshut，andacanechairplacedforthegirl。ThenMissBartlettsaid"Sowhatistobedone？"
Shewasunpreparedforthequestion。Ithadnotoccurredtoherthatshewouldhavetodoanything。Adetailedexhibitionofheremotionswasallthatshehadcountedupon。
"Whatistobedone？Apoint，dearest，whichyoualonecansettle。”
Therainwasstreamingdowntheblackwindows，andthegreatroomfeltdampandchilly，OnecandleburnttremblingonthechestofdrawersclosetoMissBartlett"stoque，whichcastmonstrousandfantasticshadowsonthebolteddoor。Atramroaredbyinthedark，andLucyfeltunaccountablysad，thoughshehadlongsincedriedhereyes。Sheliftedthemtotheceiling，wherethegriffinsandbassoonswerecolourlessandvague，theveryghostsofjoy。
"Ithasbeenrainingfornearlyfourhours，"shesaidatlast。
MissBartlettignoredtheremark。
"Howdoyouproposetosilencehim？"
"Thedriver？"
"Mydeargirl，no；Mr。GeorgeEmerson。”
Lucybegantopaceupanddowntheroom。
"Idon"tunderstand，"shesaidatlast。
Sheunderstoodverywell，butshenolongerwishedtobeabsolutelytruthful。
"Howareyougoingtostophimtalkingaboutit？"
"Ihaveafeelingthattalkisathinghewillneverdo。”
"I，too，intendtojudgehimcharitably。ButunfortunatelyIhavemetthetypebefore。Theyseldomkeeptheirexploitstothemselves。”
"Exploits？"criedLucy，wincingunderthehorribleplural。
"Mypoordear，didyousupposethatthiswashisfirst？Comehereandlistentome。Iamonlygatheringitfromhisownremarks。DoyourememberthatdayatlunchwhenhearguedwithMissAlanthatlikingonepersonisanextrareasonforlikinganother？"
"Yes，"saidLucy，whomatthetimetheargumenthadpleased。
"Well，Iamnoprude。Thereisnoneedtocallhimawickedyoungman，butobviouslyheisthoroughlyunrefined。Letusputitdowntohisdeplorableantecedentsandeducation，ifyouwish。Butwearenofartheronwithourquestion。Whatdoyouproposetodo？"
AnidearushedacrossLucy"sbrain，which，hadshethoughtofitsoonerandmadeitpartofher，mighthaveprovedvictorious。
"Iproposetospeaktohim，"saidshe。
MissBartlettutteredacryofgenuinealarm。
"Yousee，Charlotte，yourkindness——Ishallneverforgetit。
But——asyousaid——itismyaffair。Mineandhis。”
"AndyouaregoingtoIMPLOREhim，toBEGhimtokeepsilence？"
"Certainlynot。Therewouldbenodifficulty。Whateveryouaskhimheanswers，yesorno；thenitisover。Ihavebeenfrightenedofhim。ButnowIamnotonelittlebit。”
"Butwefearhimforyou，dear。Youaresoyoungandinexperienced，youhavelivedamongsuchnicepeople，thatyoucannotrealizewhatmencanbe——howtheycantakeabrutalpleasureininsultingawomanwhomhersexdoesnotprotectandrallyround。Thisafternoon，forexample，ifIhadnotarrived，whatwouldhavehappened？"
"Ican"tthink，"saidLucygravely。
SomethinginhervoicemadeMissBartlettrepeatherquestion，intoningitmorevigorously。
"WhatwouldhavehappenedifIhadn"tarrived？"
"Ican"tthink，"saidLucyagain。
"Whenheinsultedyou，howwouldyouhavereplied？"
"Ihadn"ttimetothink。Youcame。”
"Yes，butwon"tyoutellmenowwhatyouwouldhavedone？"
"Ishouldhave——"Shecheckedherself，andbrokethesentenceoff。Shewentuptothedrippingwindowandstrainedhereyesintothedarkness。Shecouldnotthinkwhatshewouldhavedone。
"Comeawayfromthewindow，dear，"saidMissBartlett。"Youwillbeseenfromtheroad。”
Lucyobeyed。Shewasinhercousin"spower。Shecouldnotmodulateoutthekeyofself-abasementinwhichshehadstarted。
NeitherofthemreferredagaintohersuggestionthatsheshouldspeaktoGeorgeandsettlethematter，whateveritwas，withhim。
MissBartlettbecameplaintive。
"Oh，forarealman!Weareonlytwowomen，youandI。Mr。Beebeishopeless。ThereisMr。Eager，butyoudonottrusthim。Oh，foryourbrother!Heisyoung，butIknowthathissister"sinsultwouldrouseinhimaverylion。ThankGod，chivalryisnotyetdead。Therearestillleftsomemenwhocanreverencewoman。”
Asshespoke，shepulledoffherrings，ofwhichsheworeseveral，andrangedthemuponthepincushion。Thensheblewintoherglovesandsaid:
"Itwillbeapushtocatchthemorningtrain，butwemusttry。”
"Whattrain？"
"ThetraintoRome。”Shelookedatherglovescritically。
Thegirlreceivedtheannouncementaseasilyasithadbeengiven。
"WhendoesthetraintoRomego？"
"Ateight。”
"SignoraBertoliniwouldbeupset。”
"Wemustfacethat，"saidMissBartlett，notlikingtosaythatshehadgivennoticealready。
"Shewillmakeuspayforawholeweek"spension。”
"Iexpectshewill。However，weshallbemuchmorecomfortableattheVyses"hotel。Isn"tafternoonteagiventherefornothing？"
"Yes，buttheypayextraforwine。”Afterthisremarksheremainedmotionlessandsilent。TohertiredeyesCharlottethrobbedandswelledlikeaghostlyfigureinadream。
Theybegantosorttheirclothesforpacking，fortherewasnotimetolose，iftheyweretocatchthetraintoRome。Lucy，whenadmonished，begantomovetoandfrobetweentherooms，moreconsciousofthediscomfortsofpackingbycandlelightthanofasubtlerill。Charlotte，whowaspracticalwithoutability，kneltbythesideofanemptytrunk，vainlyendeavouringtopaveitwithbooksofvaryingthicknessandsize。Shegavetwoorthreesighs，forthestoopingposturehurtherback，and，forallherdiplomacy，shefeltthatshewasgrowingold。Thegirlheardherassheenteredtheroom，andwasseizedwithoneofthoseemotionalimpulsestowhichshecouldneverattributeacause。
Sheonlyfeltthatthecandlewouldburnbetter，thepackinggoeasier，theworldbehappier，ifshecouldgiveandreceivesomehumanlove。Theimpulsehadcomebeforeto-day，butneversostrongly。Shekneltdownbyhercousin"ssideandtookherinherarms。
MissBartlettreturnedtheembracewithtendernessandwarmth。
Butshewasnotastupidwoman，andsheknewperfectlywellthatLucydidnotloveher，butneededhertolove。Foritwasinominoustonesthatshesaid，afteralongpause:
"DearestLucy，howwillyoueverforgiveme？"
Lucywasonherguardatonce，knowingbybitterexperiencewhatforgivingMissBartlettmeant。Heremotionrelaxed，shemodifiedherembracealittle，andshesaid:
"Charlottedear，whatdoyoumean？AsifIhaveanythingtoforgive!"
"Youhaveagreatdeal，andIhaveaverygreatdealtoforgivemyself，too。IknowwellhowmuchIvexyouateveryturn。”
"Butno——"
MissBartlettassumedherfavouriterole，thatoftheprematurelyagedmartyr。
"Ah，butyes!IfeelthatourtourtogetherishardlythesuccessIhadhoped。Imighthaveknownitwouldnotdo。Youwantsomeoneyoungerandstrongerandmoreinsympathywithyou。Iamtoouninterestingandold-fashioned——onlyfittopackandunpackyourthings。”
"Please——"
"Myonlyconsolationwasthatyoufoundpeoplemoretoyourtaste，andwereoftenabletoleavemeathome。Ihadmyownpoorideasofwhataladyoughttodo，butIhopeIdidnotinflictthemonyoumorethanwasnecessary。Youhadyourownwayabouttheserooms，atallevents。”
"Youmustn"tsaythesethings，"saidLucysoftly。
ShestillclungtothehopethatsheandCharlottelovedeachother，heartandsoul。Theycontinuedtopackinsilence。
"Ihavebeenafailure，"saidMissBartlett，asshestruggledwiththestrapsofLucy"strunkinsteadofstrappingherown。
"Failedtomakeyouhappy；failedinmydutytoyourmother。Shehasbeensogeneroustome；Ishallneverfaceheragainafterthisdisaster。”
"Butmotherwillunderstand。Itisnotyourfault，thistrouble，anditisn"tadisastereither。”
"Itismyfault，itisadisaster。Shewillneverforgiveme，andrightly。Furinstance，whatrighthadItomakefriendswithMissLavish？"
"Everyright。”
"WhenIwashereforyoursake？IfIhavevexedyouitisequallytruethatIhaveneglectedyou。YourmotherwillseethisasclearlyasIdo，whenyoutellher。”
Lucy，fromacowardlywishtoimprovethesituation，said:
"Whyneedmotherhearofit？"
"Butyoutellhereverything？"
"IsupposeIdogenerally。”
"Idarenotbreakyourconfidence。Thereissomethingsacredinit。Unlessyoufeelthatitisathingyoucouldnottellher。”
Thegirlwouldnotbedegradedtothis。
"NaturallyIshouldhavetoldher。Butincasesheshouldblameyouinanyway，IpromiseIwillnot，Iamverywillingnotto。I
willneverspeakofiteithertoherortoanyone。”
Herpromisebroughtthelong-drawninterviewtoasuddenclose。
MissBartlettpeckedhersmartlyonbothcheeks，wishedhergood-night，andsenthertoherownroom。
Foramomenttheoriginaltroublewasinthebackground。Georgewouldseemtohavebehavedlikeacadthroughout；perhapsthatwastheviewwhichonewouldtakeeventually。Atpresentsheneitheracquittednorcondemnedhim；shedidnotpassjudgment。
Atthemomentwhenshewasabouttojudgehimhercousin"svoicehadintervened，and，eversince，itwasMissBartlettwhohaddominated；MissBartlettwho，evennow，couldbeheardsighingintoacrackinthepartitionwall；MissBartlett，whohadreallybeenneitherpliablenorhumblenorinconsistent。Shehadworkedlikeagreatartist；foratime——indeed，foryears——shehadbeenmeaningless，butattheendtherewaspresentedtothegirlthecompletepictureofacheerless，lovelessworldinwhichtheyoungrushtodestructionuntiltheylearnbetter——ashamefacedworldofprecautionsandbarrierswhichmayavertevil，butwhichdonotseemtobringgood，ifwemayjudgefromthosewhohaveusedthemmost。
Lucywassufferingfromthemostgrievouswrongwhichthisworldhasyetdiscovered:diplomaticadvantagehadbeentakenofhersincerity，ofhercravingforsympathyandlove。Suchawrongisnoteasilyforgotten。Neveragaindidsheexposeherselfwithoutdueconsiderationandprecautionagainstrebuff。Andsuchawrongmayreactdisastrouslyuponthesoul。
Thedoor-bellrang，andshestartedtotheshutters。Beforeshereachedthemshehesitated，turned，andblewoutthecandle。Thusitwasthat，thoughshesawsomeonestandinginthewetbelow，he，thoughhelookedup，didnotseeher。
Toreachhisroomhehadtogobyhers。Shewasstilldressed。Itstruckherthatshemightslipintothepassageandjustsaythatshewouldbegonebeforehewasup，andthattheirextraordinaryintercoursewasover。
Whethershewouldhavedaredtodothiswasneverproved。AtthecriticalmomentMissBartlettopenedherowndoor，andhervoicesaid:
"Iwishonewordwithyouinthedrawing-room，Mr。Emerson，please。”
Soontheirfootstepsreturned，andMissBartlettsaid:
"Good-night，Mr。Emerson。”
Hisheavy，tiredbreathingwastheonlyreply；thechaperonhaddoneherwork。
Lucycriedaloud:"Itisn"ttrue。Itcan"tallbetrue。Iwantnottobemuddled。Iwanttogrowolderquickly。”
MissBartletttappedonthewall。
"Gotobedatonce，dear。Youneedalltherestyoucanget。”
InthemorningtheyleftforRome。
PartTwoChapterVIII:MedievalThedrawing-roomcurtainsatWindyCornerhadbeenpulledtomeet，forthecarpetwasnewanddeservedprotectionfromtheAugustsun。Theywereheavycurtains，reachingalmosttotheground，andthelightthatfilteredthroughthemwassubduedandvaried。Apoet——nonewaspresent——mighthavequoted，"Lifelikeadomeofmanycolouredglass，"ormighthavecomparedthecurtainstosluice-gates，loweredagainsttheintolerabletidesofheaven。Withoutwaspouredaseaofradiance；within，theglory，thoughvisible，wastemperedtothecapacitiesofman。
Twopleasantpeoplesatintheroom。One——aboyofnineteen——wasstudyingasmallmanualofanatomy，andpeeringoccasionallyatabonewhichlayuponthepiano。Fromtimetotimehebouncedinhischairandpuffedandgroaned，forthedaywashotandtheprintsmall，andthehumanframefearfullymade；andhismother，whowaswritingaletter，didcontinuallyreadouttohimwhatshehadwritten。Andcontinuallydidsherisefromherseatandpartthecurtainssothatarivuletoflightfellacrossthecarpet，andmaketheremarkthattheywerestillthere。
"Wherearen"tthey？"saidtheboy，whowasFreddy，Lucy"sbrother。"ItellyouI"mgettingfairlysick。”
"Forgoodness"sakegooutofmydrawing-room，then？"criedMrs。
Honeychurch，whohopedtocureherchildrenofslangbytakingitliterally。
Freddydidnotmoveorreply。
"Ithinkthingsarecomingtoahead，"sheobserved，ratherwantingherson"sopiniononthesituationifshecouldobtainitwithoutunduesupplication。
"Timetheydid。”
"IamgladthatCecilisaskingherthisoncemore。”
"It"shisthirdgo，isn"tit？"
"FreddyIdocallthewayyoutalkunkind。”
"Ididn"tmeantobeunkind。”Thenheadded:"ButIdothinkLucymighthavegotthisoffherchestinItaly。Idon"tknowhowgirlsmanagethings，butshecan"thavesaid"No"properlybefore，orshewouldn"thavetosayitagainnow。Overthewholething——Ican"texplain——Idofeelsouncomfortable。”
"Doyouindeed，dear？Howinteresting!"
"Ifeel——nevermind。”
Hereturnedtohiswork。
"JustlistentowhatIhavewrittentoMrs。Vyse。Isaid:"DearMrs。Vyse。""
"Yes，mother，youtoldme。Ajollygoodletter。”
"Isaid:"DearMrs。Vyse，Cecilhasjustaskedmypermissionaboutit，andIshouldbedelighted，ifLucywishesit。But——""
Shestoppedreading，"IwasratheramusedatCecilaskingmypermissionatall。Hehasalwaysgoneinforunconventionality，andparentsnowhere，andsoforth。Whenitcomestothepoint，hecan"tgetonwithoutme。”
"Norme。”
"You？"
Freddynodded。
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Heaskedmeformypermissionalso。”
Sheexclaimed:"Howveryoddofhim!"
"Whyso？"askedthesonandheir。"Whyshouldn"tmypermissionbeasked？"
"WhatdoyouknowaboutLucyorgirlsoranything？Whateverdidyousay？"
"IsaidtoCecil，"Takeherorleaveher；it"snobusinessofmine!""
"Whatahelpfulanswer!"Butherownanswer，thoughmorenormalinitswording，hadbeentothesameeffect。
"Thebotheristhis，"beganFreddy。
Thenhetookuphisworkagain，tooshytosaywhatthebotherwas。Mrs。Honeychurchwentbacktothewindow。
"Freddy，youmustcome。Theretheystillare!"
"Idon"tseeyououghttogopeepinglikethat。”
"Peepinglikethat!Can"tIlookoutofmyownwindow？"
Butshereturnedtothewriting-table，observing，asshepassedherson，"Stillpage322？"Freddysnorted，andturnedovertwoleaves。Forabriefspacetheyweresilent。Closeby，beyondthecurtains，thegentlemurmurofalongconversationhadneverceased。
"Thebotheristhis:IhaveputmyfootinitwithCecilmostawfully。”Hegaveanervousgulp。"Notcontentwith"permission"，whichIdidgive——thatistosay，Isaid，"Idon"tmind"——well，notcontentwiththat，hewantedtoknowwhetherIwasn"toffmyheadwithjoy。Hepracticallyputitlikethis:Wasn"titasplendidthingforLucyandforWindyCornergenerallyifhemarriedher？Andhewouldhaveananswer——hesaiditwouldstrengthenhishand。”
"Ihopeyougaveacarefulanswer，dear。”
"Ianswered"No""saidtheboy，grindinghisteeth。"There!Flyintoastew!Ican"thelpit——hadtosayit。Ihadtosayno。Heoughtnevertohaveaskedme。”
"Ridiculouschild!"criedhismother。"Youthinkyou"resoholyandtruthful，butreallyit"sonlyabominableconceit。DoyousupposethatamanlikeCecilwouldtaketheslightestnoticeofanythingyousay？Ihopeheboxedyourears。Howdareyousayno？"
"Oh，dokeepquiet，mother!IhadtosaynowhenIcouldn"tsayyes。ItriedtolaughasifIdidn"tmeanwhatIsaid，and，asCecillaughedtoo，andwentaway，itmaybeallright。ButIfeelmyfoot"sinit。Oh，dokeepquiet，though，andletamandosomework。”
"No，"saidMrs。Honeychurch，withtheairofonewhohasconsideredthesubject，"Ishallnotkeepquiet。YouknowallthathaspassedbetweentheminRome；youknowwhyheisdownhere，andyetyoudeliberatelyinsulthim，andtrytoturnhimoutofmyhouse。”
"Notabit!"hepleaded。"IonlyletoutIdidn"tlikehim。I
don"thatehim，butIdon"tlikehim。WhatImindisthathe"lltellLucy。”
Heglancedatthecurtainsdismally。
"Well，Ilikehim，"saidMrs。Honeychurch。"Iknowhismother；
he"sgood，he"sclever，he"srich，he"swellconnected——Oh，youneedn"tkickthepiano!He"swellconnected——I"llsayitagainifyoulike:he"swellconnected。”Shepaused，asifrehearsinghereulogy，butherfaceremaineddissatisfied。Sheadded:"Andhehasbeautifulmanners。”
"Ilikedhimtilljustnow。Isupposeit"shavinghimspoilingLucy"sfirstweekathome；andit"salsosomethingthatMr。Beebesaid，notknowing。”
"Mr。Beebe？"saidhismother，tryingtoconcealherinterest。"I
don"tseehowMr。Beebecomesin。”
"YouknowMr。Beebe"sfunnyway，whenyouneverquiteknowwhathemeans。Hesaid:"Mr。Vyseisanidealbachelor。"Iwasverycute，Iaskedhimwhathemeant。Hesaid"Oh，he"slikeme——
betterdetached。"Icouldn"tmakehimsayanymore，butitsetmethinking。SinceCecilhascomeafterLucyhehasn"tbeensopleasant，atleast——Ican"texplain。”
"Younevercan，dear。ButIcan。YouarejealousofCecilbecausehemaystopLucyknittingyousilkties。”
Theexplanationseemedplausible，andFreddytriedtoacceptit。
Butatthebackofhisbraintherelurkedadimmistrust。Cecilpraisedonetoomuchforbeingathletic。Wasthatit？Cecilmadeonetalkinone"sownway。Thistiredone。Wasthatit？AndCecilwasthekindoffellowwhowouldneverwearanotherfellow"scap。
Unawareofhisownprofundity，Freddycheckedhimself。Hemustbejealous，orhewouldnotdislikeamanforsuchfoolishreasons。
"Willthisdo？"calledhismother。""DearMrs。Vyse，——Cecilhasjustaskedmypermissionaboutit，andIshouldbedelightedifLucywishesit。"ThenIputinatthetop，"andIhavetoldLucyso。"Imustwritetheletteroutagain——"andIhavetoldLucyso。
ButLucyseemsveryuncertain，andinthesedaysyoungpeoplemustdecideforthemselves。"IsaidthatbecauseIdidn"twantMrs。Vysetothinkusold-fashioned。Shegoesinforlecturesandimprovinghermind，andallthetimeathicklayerofflueunderthebeds，andthemaid"sdirtythumb-markswhereyouturnontheelectriclight。Shekeepsthatflatabominably——"
"SupposeLucymarriesCecil，wouldsheliveinaflat，orinthecountry？"
"Don"tinterruptsofoolishly。WherewasI？Ohyes——"Youngpeoplemustdecideforthemselves。IknowthatLucylikesyourson，becauseshetellsmeeverything，andshewrotetomefromRomewhenheaskedherfirst。"No，I"llcrossthatlastbitout——itlookspatronizing。I"llstopat"becauseshetellsmeeverything。"OrshallIcrossthatout，too？"
"Crossitout，too，"saidFreddy。
Mrs。Honeychurchleftitin。
"Thenthewholethingruns:"DearMrs。Vyse——Cecilhasjustaskedmypermissionaboutit，andIshouldbedelightedifLucywishesit，andIhavetoldLucyso。ButLucyseemsveryuncertain，andinthesedaysyoungpeoplemustdecideforthemselves。IknowthatLucylikesyourson，becauseshetellsmeeverything。ButIdonotknow——""
"Lookout!"criedFreddy。
Thecurtainsparted。
Cecil"sfirstmovementwasoneofirritation。Hecouldn"tbeartheHoneychurchhabitofsittinginthedarktosavethefurniture。Instinctivelyhegivethecurtainsatwitch，andsentthemswingingdowntheirpoles。Lightentered。Therewasrevealedaterrace，suchasisownedbymanyvillaswithtreeseachsideofit，andonitalittlerusticseat，andtwoflower-beds。Butitwastransfiguredbytheviewbeyond，forWindyCornerwasbuiltontherangethatoverlookstheSussexWeald。Lucy，whowasinthelittleseat，seemedontheedgeofagreenmagiccarpetwhichhoveredintheairabovethetremulousworld。
Cecilentered。
Appearingthuslateinthestory，Cecilmustbeatoncedescribed。Hewasmedieval。LikeaGothicstatue。Tallandrefined，withshouldersthatseemedbracedsquarebyaneffortofthewill，andaheadthatwastiltedalittlehigherthantheusuallevelofvision，heresembledthosefastidioussaintswhoguardtheportalsofaFrenchcathedral。Welleducated，wellendowed，andnotdeficientphysically，heremainedinthegripofacertaindevilwhomthemodernworldknowsasself-consciousness，andwhomthemedieval，withdimmervision，worshippedasasceticism。
AGothicstatueimpliescelibacy，justasaGreekstatueimpliesfruition，andperhapsthiswaswhatMr。Beebemeant。AndFreddy，whoignoredhistoryandart，perhapsmeantthesamewhenhefailedtoimagineCecilwearinganotherfellow"scap。
Mrs。Honeychurchleftherletteronthewritingtableandmovedtowardsheryoungacquaintance。
"Oh，Cecil!"sheexclaimed——"oh，Cecil，dotellme!"
"Ipromessisposi，"saidhe。
Theystaredathimanxiously。
"Shehasacceptedme，"hesaid，andthesoundofthethinginEnglishmadehimflushandsmilewithpleasure，andlookmorehuman。
"Iamsoglad，"saidMrs。Honeychurch，whileFreddyprofferedahandthatwasyellowwithchemicals。TheywishedthattheyalsoknewItalian，forourphrasesofapprovalandofamazementaresoconnectedwithlittleoccasionsthatwefeartousethemongreatones。Weareobligedtobecomevaguelypoetic，ortotakerefugeinScripturalreminiscences。
"Welcomeasoneofthefamily!"saidMrs。Honeychurch，wavingherhandatthefurniture。"Thisisindeedajoyousday!IfeelsurethatyouwillmakeourdearLucyhappy。”
"Ihopeso，"repliedtheyoungman，shiftinghiseyestotheceiling。
"Wemothers——"simperedMrs。Honeychurch，andthenrealizedthatshewasaffected，sentimental，bombastic——allthethingsshehatedmost。WhycouldshenotbeFreddy，whostoodstiffinthemiddleoftheroom；lookingverycrossandalmosthandsome？
"Isay，Lucy!"calledCecil，forconversationseemedtoflag。
Lucyrosefromtheseat。Shemovedacrossthelawnandsmiledinatthem，justasifshewasgoingtoaskthemtoplaytennis。
Thenshesawherbrother"sface。Herlipsparted，andshetookhiminherarms。Hesaid，"Steadyon!"
"Notakissforme？"askedhermother。
Lucykissedheralso。
"WouldyoutakethemintothegardenandtellMrs。Honeychurchallaboutit？"Cecilsuggested。"AndI"dstophereandtellmymother。”
"WegowithLucy？"saidFreddy，asiftakingorders。
"Yes，yougowithLucy。”
Theypassedintothesunlight。Cecilwatchedthemcrosstheterrace，anddescendoutofsightbythesteps。Theywoulddescend——heknewtheirways——pasttheshrubbery，andpastthetennis-lawnandthedahlia-bed，untiltheyreachedthekitchengarden，andthere，inthepresenceofthepotatoesandthepeas，thegreateventwouldbediscussed。
Smilingindulgently，helitacigarette，andrehearsedtheeventsthathadledtosuchahappyconclusion。
HehadknownLucyforseveralyears，butonlyasacommonplacegirlwhohappenedtobemusical。HecouldstillrememberhisdepressionthatafternoonatRome，whensheandherterriblecousinfellonhimoutoftheblue，anddemandedtobetakentoSt。Peter"s。Thatdayshehadseemedatypicaltourist——shrill，crude，andgauntwithtravel。ButItalyworkedsomemarvelinher。Itgaveherlight，and——whichheheldmoreprecious——itgavehershadow。Soonhedetectedinherawonderfulreticence。ShewaslikeawomanofLeonardodaVinci"s，whomwelovenotsomuchforherselfasforthethingsthatshewillnottellus，Thethingsareassuredlynotofthislife；nowomanofLeonardo"scouldhaveanythingsovulgarasa"story。”Shediddevelopmostwonderfullydaybyday。
Soithappenedthatfrompatronizingcivilityhehadslowlypassedifnottopassion，atleasttoaprofounduneasiness。
AlreadyatRomehehadhintedtoherthattheymightbesuitableforeachother。Ithadtouchedhimgreatlythatshehadnotbrokenawayatthesuggestion。Herrefusalhadbeenclearandgentle；afterit——asthehorridphrasewent——shehadbeenexactlythesametohimasbefore。Threemonthslater，onthemarginofItaly，amongtheflower-cladAlps，hehadaskedheragaininbald，traditionallanguage。SheremindedhimofaLeonardomorethanever；hersunburntfeatureswereshadowedbyfantasticrock；
athiswordsshehadturnedandstoodbetweenhimandthelightwithimmeasurableplainsbehindher。Hewalkedhomewithherunashamed，feelingnotatalllikearejectedsuitor。Thethingsthatreallymatteredwereunshaken。
Sonowhehadaskedheroncemore，and，clearandgentleasever，shehadacceptedhim，givingnocoyreasonsforherdelay，butsimplysayingthatshelovedhimandwoulddoherbesttomakehimhappy。Hismother，too，wouldbepleased；shehadcounselledthestep；hemustwriteheralongaccount。
Glancingathishand，incaseanyofFreddy"schemicalshadcomeoffonit，hemovedtothewritingtable。Therehesaw"DearMrs。
Vyse，"followedbymanyerasures。Herecoiledwithoutreadinganymore，andafteralittlehesitationsatdownelsewhere，andpencilledanoteonhisknee。
Thenhelitanothercigarette，whichdidnotseemquiteasdivineasthefirst，andconsideredwhatmightbedonetomakeWindyCornerdrawing-roommoredistinctive。Withthatoutlookitshouldhavebeenasuccessfulroom，butthetrailofTottenhamCourtRoadwasuponit；hecouldalmostvisualizethemotor-vansofMessrs。ShoolbredandMessrs。Maplearrivingatthedooranddepositingthischair，thosevarnishedbook-cases，thatwriting-table。ThetablerecalledMrs。Honeychurch"sletter。Hedidnotwanttoreadthatletter——histemptationsneverlayinthatdirection；butheworriedaboutitnonetheless。Itwashisownfaultthatshewasdiscussinghimwithhismother；hehadwantedhersupportinhisthirdattempttowinLucy；hewantedtofeelthatothers，nomatterwhotheywere，agreedwithhim，andsohehadaskedtheirpermission。Mrs。Honeychurchhadbeencivil，butobtuseinessentials，whileasforFreddy——"Heisonlyaboy，"hereflected。"Irepresentallthathedespises。Whyshouldhewantmeforabrother-in-law？"
TheHoneychurcheswereaworthyfamily，buthebegantorealizethatLucywasofanotherclay；andperhaps——hedidnotputitverydefinitely——heoughttointroduceherintomorecongenialcirclesassoonaspossible。
"Mr。Beebe!"saidthemaid，andthenewrectorofSummerStreetwasshownin；hehadatoncestartedonfriendlyrelations，owingtoLucy"spraiseofhiminherlettersfromFlorence。
Cecilgreetedhimrathercritically。
"I"vecomefortea，Mr。Vyse。DoyousupposethatIshallgetit？"
"Ishouldsayso。Foodisthethingonedoesgethere——Don"tsitinthatchair；youngHoneychurchhasleftaboneinit。”
"Pfui!"
"Iknow，"saidCecil。"Iknow。Ican"tthinkwhyMrs。Honeychurchallowsit。”
ForCecilconsideredtheboneandtheMaples"furnitureseparately；hedidnotrealizethat，takentogether，theykindledtheroomintothelifethathedesired。
"I"vecomeforteaandforgossip。Isn"tthisnews？"
"News？Idon"tunderstandyou，"saidCecil。"News？"
Mr。Beebe，whosenewswasofaverydifferentnature，prattledforward。
"ImetSirHarryOtwayasIcameup；IhaveeveryreasontohopethatIamfirstinthefield。HehasboughtCissieandAlbertfromMr。Flack!"
"Hasheindeed？"saidCecil，tryingtorecoverhimself。Intowhatagrotesquemistakehadhefallen!Wasitlikelythataclergymanandagentlemanwouldrefertohisengagementinamannersoflippant？Buthisstiffnessremained，and，thoughheaskedwhoCissieandAlbertmightbe，hestillthoughtMr。Beeberatherabounder。
"Unpardonablequestion!TohavestoppedaweekatWindyCornerandnottohavemetCissieandAlbert，thesemi-detachedvillasthathavebeenrunupoppositethechurch!I"llsetMrs。
Honeychurchafteryou。”
"I"mshockinglystupidoverlocalaffairs，"saidtheyoungmanlanguidly。"Ican"tevenrememberthedifferencebetweenaParishCouncilandaLocalGovernmentBoard。Perhapsthereisnodifference，orperhapsthosearen"ttherightnames。Ionlygointothecountrytoseemyfriendsandtoenjoythescenery。Itisveryremissofme。ItalyandLondonaretheonlyplaceswhereIdon"tfeeltoexistonsufferance。”
Mr。Beebe，distressedatthisheavyreceptionofCissieandAlbert，determinedtoshiftthesubject。
"Letmesee，Mr。Vyse——Iforget——whatisyourprofession？"
"Ihavenoprofession，"saidCecil。"Itisanotherexampleofmydecadence。Myattitudequiteanindefensibleone——isthatsolongasIamnotroubletoanyoneIhavearighttodoasIlike。
IknowIoughttobegettingmoneyoutofpeople，ordevotingmyselftothingsIdon"tcareastrawabout，butsomehow，I"venotbeenabletobegin。”
"Youareveryfortunate，"saidMr。Beebe。"Itisawonderfulopportunity，thepossessionofleisure。”
Hisvoicewasratherparochial，buthedidnotquiteseehiswaytoansweringnaturally。Hefelt，asallwhohaveregularoccupationmustfeel，thatothersshouldhaveitalso。
"Iamgladthatyouapprove。Idaren"tfacethehealthyperson——
forexample，FreddyHoneychurch。”
"Oh，Freddy"sagoodsort，isn"the？"
"Admirable。ThesortwhohasmadeEnglandwhatsheis。”
Cecilwonderedathimself。Why，onthisdayofallothers，washesohopelesslycontrary？HetriedtogetrightbyinquiringeffusivelyafterMr。Beebe"smother，anoldladyforwhomhehadnoparticularregard。Thenheflatteredtheclergyman，praisedhisliberal-mindedness，hisenlightenedattitudetowardsphilosophyandscience。
"Wherearetheothers？"saidMr。Beebeatlast，"Iinsistonextractingteabeforeeveningservice。”
"IsupposeAnnenevertoldthemyouwerehere。Inthishouseoneissocoachedintheservantsthedayonearrives。ThefaultofAnneisthatshebegsyourpardonwhenshehearsyouperfectly，andkicksthechair-legswithherfeet。ThefaultsofMary——
IforgetthefaultsofMary，buttheyareverygrave。Shallwelookinthegarden？"
"IknowthefaultsofMary。Sheleavesthedust-pansstandingonthestairs。”
"ThefaultofEuphemiaisthatshewillnot，simplywillnot，chopthesuetsufficientlysmall。”
Theybothlaughed，andthingsbegantogobetter。
"ThefaultsofFreddy——"Cecilcontinued。
"Ah，hehastoomany。NoonebuthismothercanrememberthefaultsofFreddy。TrythefaultsofMissHoneychurch；theyarenotinnumerable。”
"Shehasnone，"saidtheyoungman，withgravesincerity。
"Iquiteagree。Atpresentshehasnone。”
"Atpresent？"
"I"mnotcynical。I"monlythinkingofmypettheoryaboutMissHoneychurch。Doesitseemreasonablethatsheshouldplaysowonderfully，andlivesoquietly？Isuspectthatonedayshewillbewonderfulinboth。Thewater-tightcompartmentsinherwillbreakdown，andmusicandlifewillmingle。Thenweshallhaveherheroicallygood，heroicallybad——tooheroic，perhaps，tobegoodorbad。”
Cecilfoundhiscompanioninteresting。
"Andatpresentyouthinkhernotwonderfulasfaraslifegoes？"
"Well，ImustsayI"veonlyseenheratTunbridgeWells，whereshewasnotwonderful，andatFlorence。SinceIcametoSummerStreetshehasbeenaway。Yousawher，didn"tyou，atRomeandintheAlps。Oh，Iforgot；ofcourse，youknewherbefore。No，shewasn"twonderfulinFlorenceeither，butIkeptonexpectingthatshewouldbe。”
"Inwhatway？"
Conversationhadbecomeagreeabletothem，andtheywerepacingupanddowntheterrace。
"Icouldaseasilytellyouwhattuneshe"llplaynext。Therewassimplythesensethatshehadfoundwings，andmeanttousethem。
IcanshowyouabeautifulpictureinmyItaliandiary:MissHoneychurchasakite，MissBartlettholdingthestring。Picturenumbertwo:thestringbreaks。”
Thesketchwasinhisdiary，butithadbeenmadeafterwards，whenheviewedthingsartistically。Atthetimehehadgivensurreptitioustugstothestringhimself。
"Butthestringneverbroke？"
"No。Imightn"thaveseenMissHoneychurchrise，butIshouldcertainlyhaveheardMissBartlettfall。”
"Ithasbrokennow，"saidtheyoungmaninlow，vibratingtones。
Immediatelyherealizedthatofalltheconceited，ludicrous，contemptiblewaysofannouncinganengagementthiswastheworst。
Hecursedhisloveofmetaphor；hadhesuggestedthathewasastarandthatLucywassoaringuptoreachhim？
"Broken？Whatdoyoumean？"
"Imeant，"saidCecilstiffly，"thatsheisgoingtomarryme。”
Theclergymanwasconsciousofsomebitterdisappointmentwhichhecouldnotkeepoutofhisvoice。
"Iamsorry；Imustapologize。Ihadnoideayouwereintimatewithher，orIshouldneverhavetalkedinthisflippant，superficialway。Mr。Vyse，yououghttohavestoppedme。”AnddownthegardenhesawLucyherself；yes，hewasdisappointed。
Cecil，whonaturallypreferredcongratulationstoapologies，drewdownhismouthatthecorners。Wasthisthereceptionhisactionwouldgetfromtheworld？Ofcourse，hedespisedtheworldasawhole；everythoughtfulmanshould；itisalmostatestofrefinement。Buthewassensitivetothesuccessiveparticlesofitwhichheencountered。
Occasionallyhecouldbequitecrude。
"IamsorryIhavegivenyouashock，"hesaiddryly。"IfearthatLucy"schoicedoesnotmeetwithyourapproval。”
"Notthat。Butyououghttohavestoppedme。IknowMissHoneychurchonlyalittleastimegoes。PerhapsIoughtn"ttohavediscussedhersofreelywithanyone；certainlynotwithyou。”
"Youareconsciousofhavingsaidsomethingindiscreet？"
Mr。Beebepulledhimselftogether。Really，Mr。Vysehadtheartofplacingoneinthemosttiresomepositions。Hewasdriventousetheprerogativesofhisprofession。
"No，Ihavesaidnothingindiscreet。IforesawatFlorencethatherquiet，uneventfulchildhoodmustend，andithasended。I
realizeddimlyenoughthatshemighttakesomemomentousstep。
Shehastakenit。Shehaslearnt——youwillletmetalkfreely，asIhavebegunfreely——shehaslearntwhatitistolove:thegreatestlesson，somepeoplewilltellyou，thatourearthlylifeprovides。”Itwasnowtimeforhimtowavehishatattheapproachingtrio。Hedidnotomittodoso。"Shehaslearntthroughyou，"andifhisvoicewasstillclerical，itwasnowalsosincere；"letitbeyourcarethatherknowledgeisprofitabletoher。”
"Grazietante!"saidCecil，whodidnotlikeparsons。
"Haveyouheard？"shoutedMrs。Honeychurchasshetoileduptheslopinggarden。"Oh，Mr。Beebe，haveyouheardthenews？"
Freddy，nowfullofgeniality，whistledtheweddingmarch。Youthseldomcriticizestheaccomplishedfact。
"IndeedIhave!"hecried。HelookedatLucy。Inherpresencehecouldnotacttheparsonanylonger——atalleventsnotwithoutapology。"Mrs。Honeychurch，I"mgoingtodowhatIamalwayssupposedtodo，butgenerallyI"mtooshy。Iwanttoinvokeeverykindofblessingonthem，graveandgay，greatandsmall。
Iwantthemalltheirlivestobesupremelygoodandsupremelyhappyashusbandandwife，asfatherandmother。AndnowIwantmytea。”
"Youonlyaskedforitjustintime，"theladyretorted。"HowdareyoubeseriousatWindyCorner？"
Hetookhistonefromher。Therewasnomoreheavybeneficence，nomoreattemptstodignifythesituationwithpoetryortheScriptures。Noneofthemdaredorwasabletobeseriousanymore。
Anengagementissopotentathingthatsoonerorlateritreducesallwhospeakofittothisstateofcheerfulawe。Awayfromit，inthesolitudeoftheirrooms，Mr。Beebe，andevenFreddy，mightagainbecritical。Butinitspresenceandinthepresenceofeachothertheyweresincerelyhilarious。Ithasastrangepower，foritcompelsnotonlythelips，buttheveryheart。Thechiefparalleltocompareonegreatthingwithanother——isthepoweroverusofatempleofsomealiencreed。
Standingoutside，wederideoropposeit，oratthemostfeelsentimental。Inside，thoughthesaintsandgodsarenotours，webecometruebelievers，incaseanytruebelievershouldbepresent。
Soitwasthatafterthegropingsandthemisgivingsoftheafternoontheypulledthemselvestogetherandsettleddowntoaverypleasanttea-party。Iftheywerehypocritestheydidnotknowit，andtheirhypocrisyhadeverychanceofsettingandofbecomingtrue。Anne，puttingdowneachplateasifitwereaweddingpresent，stimulatedthemgreatly。Theycouldnotlagbehindthatsmileofherswhichshegavethemereshekickedthedrawing-roomdoor。Mr。Beebechirruped。Freddywasathiswittiest，referringtoCecilasthe"Fiasco"——familyhonouredpunonfiance。Mrs。Honeychurch，amusingandportly，promisedwellasamother-in-law。AsforLucyandCecil，forwhomthetemplehadbeenbuilt，theyalsojoinedinthemerryritual，butwaited，asearnestworshippersshould，forthedisclosureofsomeholiershrineofjoy。
ChapterIX:LucyAsaWorkofArtAfewdaysaftertheengagementwasannouncedMrs。HoneychurchmadeLucyandherFiascocometoalittlegarden-partyintheneighbourhood，fornaturallyshewantedtoshowpeoplethatherdaughterwasmarryingapresentableman。
Cecilwasmorethanpresentable；helookeddistinguished，anditwasverypleasanttoseehisslimfigurekeepingstepwithLucy，andhislong，fairfacerespondingwhenLucyspoketohim。PeoplecongratulatedMrs。Honeychurch，whichis，Ibelieve，asocialblunder，butitpleasedher，andsheintroducedCecilratherindiscriminatelytosomestuffydowagers。
Atteaamisfortunetookplace:acupofcoffeewasupsetoverLucy"sfiguredsilk，andthoughLucyfeignedindifference，hermotherfeignednothingofthesortbutdraggedherindoorstohavethefrocktreatedbyasympatheticmaid。Theyweregonesometime，andCecilwasleftwiththedowagers。Whentheyreturnedhewasnotaspleasantashehadbeen。
"Doyougotomuchofthissortofthing？"heaskedwhentheyweredrivinghome。
"Oh，nowandthen，"saidLucy，whohadratherenjoyedherself。
"Isittypicalofcountrysociety？"
"Isupposeso。Mother，woulditbe？"
"Plentyofsociety，"saidMrs。Honeychurch，whowastryingtorememberthehangofoneofthedresses。
Seeingthatherthoughtswereelsewhere，CecilbenttowardsLucyandsaid:
"Tomeitseemedperfectlyappalling，disastrous，portentous。”
"Iamsosorrythatyouwerestranded。”
"Notthat，butthecongratulations。Itissodisgusting，thewayanengagementisregardedaspublicproperty——akindofwasteplacewhereeveryoutsidermayshoothisvulgarsentiment。Allthoseoldwomensmirking!"
"Onehastogothroughit，Isuppose。Theywon"tnoticeussomuchnexttime。”
"Butmypointisthattheirwholeattitudeiswrong。Anengagement——horridwordinthefirstplace——isaprivatematter，andshouldbetreatedassuch。”