第4章

Herfathercriedforhelpindismay。InranHarriet，saw，andscreamed，butdidnotloseherhead；thisveraciouspersonwhippedapairofscissorsoffthetable，andcuttheyounglady"sstay-

lacesdirectly。Thentherewasaburstofimprisonedbeauty；adeep，deepsighofreliefcamefromabosomthatwouldhavedonehonortoDiana；andthescenesoonconcludedwithfitsofharmlessweeping，renewedatintervals。

Whenithadsettleddowntothis，herfather，tosootheher，saidhewouldwritetoDr。Staines，andbringaboutareconciliation，ifsheliked。

"No，"saidshe，"youshallkillmesooner。Ishoulddieofshame。"

Sheadded，"Oh，pray，fromthishour，nevermentionhisnametome。"

Andthenshehadanothercry。

Mr。Lusignanwasasensibleman:hedroppedthesubjectforthepresent；buthemadeuphismindtoonething——thathewouldneverpartwithDr。Stainesasaphysician。

NextdayRosakeptherownroomuntildinner-time，andwasasunhappyasshedeservedtobe。Shespenthertimeinsewingonstiffflannelliningsandcrying。ShehalfhopedChristopherwouldwritetoher，sothatshemightwritebackthatsheforgavehim。

Butnotaline。

Athalf-pastsixhervolatilemindtookaturn，realoraffected。

Shewouldcrynomoreforanungratefulfellow，——ungratefulfornotseeingthroughthestonewallshowshehadbeenemployedallthemorning；andmakingitup。Soshebathedherredeyes，madeagreatalterationinherdress，andcamedancingintotheroomhumminganItalianditty。

Astheyweresittingtogetherinthedining-roomafterdinner，twoletterscamebythesameposttoMr。LusignanfromMr。WymanandDr。Snell。

Mr。Wyman"sletter:——

DEARSIR，——IamsorrytohearfromMissLusignanthatsheintendstodiscontinuemedicaladvice。Thedisorderwasprogressingfavorably，andnothingtobefeared，underpropertreatment。

Yours，etc。

Dr。Snell"sletter:——

DEARSIR，——MissLusignanhaswrittentomesomewhatimpatientlyandseemsdisposedtodispensewithmyvisits。Idonot，however，thinkitrighttowithdrawwithouttellingyoucandidlythatthisisanunwisestep。Yourdaughter"shealthisinaveryprecariouscondition。

Yours，etc。

Rosaburstoutlaughing。"Ihavenothingtofear，andI"monthebrinkofthegrave。Thatcomesofwritingwithoutaconsultation。

Iftheyhadwrittenatonetable，Ishouldhavebeenneitherwellnorill。PoorChristopher!"andhersweetfacebegantoworkpiteously。

"There!there!drinkaglassofwine。"

Shedid，andatearwithit，thatranintotheglasslikelightning。

Warnedbythisthatgriefsatverynearthebright，hilarioussurface，Mr。Lusignanavoidedallemotionalsubjectsforthepresent。Nextday，however，hetoldhershemightdismissherlover，butnopowershouldmakehimdismisshispetphysician，unlessherhealthimproved。

"Iwillnotgiveyouthatexcuseforinflictinghimonmeagain，"

saidtheyounghypocrite。

Shekeptherword。Shegotbetterandbetter，stronger，brighter，gayer。

Shetooktowalkingeveryday，andincreasingthedistance，tillshecouldwalktenmileswithoutfatigue。

Herfavoritewalkwastoacertaincliffthatcommandedanobleviewofthesea。TogettoitshemustpassthroughthetownofGravesend；andwemaybesureshedidnotpasssooftenthroughthatcitywithoutsomeideaofmeetingthelovershehadusedsoill，andelicitinganAPOLOGYfromhim。Slypuss!

Whenshehadwalkedtwentytimes，orthereabouts，throughthetown，andneverseenhim，shebegantofearshehadoffendedhimpasthope。Thensheusedtocryattheendofeverywalk。

Butbyandbybodilyhealth，vanity，andtempercombinedtorousethedefiantspirit。Saidshe，"Ifhereallylovedme，hewouldnottakemywordinsuchahurry。Andbesides，whydoeshenotwatchme，andfindoutwhatIamdoing，andwhereIwalk?"

Atlastshereallybegantopersuadeherselfthatshewasanill-

usedandslightedgirl。Shewasveryangryattimes，anddisconsolateatothers；amixedstateinwhichhastyandimpulsiveyoungladiescommitlifelongfollies。

Mr。Lusignanobservedthesurfaceonly:hesawhisinvaliddaughtergettingbettereveryday，tillatlastshebecameapictureofhealthandbodilyvigor。Relievedofhisfears，hetroubledhisheadbutlittleaboutChristopherStaines。Yetheesteemedhim，andhadgottolikehim；butRosawasabeauty，andcoulddobetterthanmarryastrugglingphysician，howeverable。Helaunchedoutintoalittlegayety，resumedhisquietdinner-parties；and，aftersomepersuasion，tookhisnowbloomingdaughtertoaballgivenbytheofficersofChatham。

Shewasthebelleoftheballbeyonddispute，anddancedwithetherealgraceandathleticendurance。Shewasmadlyfondofwaltzing，andheresheencounteredwhatshewaspleasedtocalladivinedancer。ItwasaMr。ReginaldFalcon，agentlemanwhohadretiredtotheseasidetorecruithishealthandfinancessoretriedbyLondonandParis。Falconhadrunthroughhisfortune，buthadacquired，intheprocess，certaintalentswhich，astheycosttheacquirerdear，sotheysometimesrepayhim，especiallyifheisnotoverburdenedwithprinciple，andadoptsthenotionthat，theworldhavingpluckedhim，hehasarighttoplucktheworld。Hecouldplaybilliardswell，butneversowellaswhenbackinghimselfforaheavystake。Hecouldshootpigeonswell，andhisshootingimprovedunderthatwhichmakessomemarksmenmiss——aheavybetagainstthegun。Hedancedtoperfection；andbeingawell-bred，experienced，brazen，adroitfellow，whoknewalittleofeverythingthatwasgoing，hehadalwaysplentytosay。Aboveall，hehadmadeaparticularstudyofthefairsex；hadmetwithmanysuccesses，manyrebuffs；and，atlast，bykeenstudyoftheirminds，andahabithehadacquiredofwatchingtheirfaces，andshiftinghishelmaccordingly，hadlearnedthegreatartofpleasingthem。Theyadmiredhisface；tome，theshortspacebetweenhiseyesandhishair，hisaquilinenose，andthinstraightlips，suggestedthebirdofpreyalittletoomuch:buttofairdoves，borntobeclutched，thissimilitudeperhapswasnotveryalarming，eveniftheyobservedit。

Rosadancedseveraltimeswithhim，andtoldhimhedancedlikeanangel。Heinformedherthatwasbecause，foronce，hewasdancingwithanangel。Shelaughedandblushed。Heflattereddeliciously，anditcosthimlittle；forhefellinlovewithherthatnight，deeperthanhehadeverbeeninhiswholelifeofintrigue。Heaskedleavetocallonher:shelookedalittleshyatthat，anddidnotrespond。Heinstantlywithdrewhisproposal，withanapologyandasighthatraisedherpity。However，shewasnotaforwardgirl，evenwhenexcitedbydancingandcharmedwithherpartner；soshelefthimtofindhisownwayoutofthatdifficulty。

Hewasnotlongaboutit。Attheendofthenextwaltzheaskedherifhemightventuretosolicitanintroductiontoherfather。

"Oh，certainly，"saidshe。"WhataselfishgirlIam!thisisterriblydullforhim。"

Theintroductionbeingmade，andRosabeingengagedforthenextthreedances，Mr。FalconsatbyMr。Lusignanandentertainedhim。

Forthislittlepieceofapparentself-denialhewaspaidinvariouscoin:Lusignanfoundouthewasthesonofanoldacquaintance，andsothedoorofKentVillaopenedtohim；

meantime，RosaLusignanneverpassedhim，eveninthearmsofacavalryofficer，withoutbestowingaglanceofapprovalandgratitudeonhim。"Whatagood-heartedyoungman!"thoughtshe。

"Howkindofhimtoamusepapa；andnowIcanstaysomuchlonger。"

Falconfollowedupthedancebyacall，andwasinfinitelyagreeable:followedupthecallbyanother，andadmiredRosawithsolittledisguisethatMr。Lusignansaidtoher，"Ithinkyouhavemadeaconquest。HisfatherhadconsiderableestatesinEssex。I

presumeheinheritsthem。"

"Oh，nevermindhisestates，"saidRosa，"hedanceslikeanangel，andgossipscharmingly，andISsonice。"

ChristopherStainespinedforthisgirlinsilence:hisfineframegotthinner，hispalecheekpaler，asshegotrosierandrosier；

andhow?Why，byfollowingtheveryadviceshehadsnubbedhimforgivingher。Atlast，heheardshehadbeenthebelleofaball，andthatshehadbeenseenwalkingmilesfromhome，andbloomingasaHebe。Thenhisdeepanxietyceased，hispridestunghimfuriously；hebegantothinkofhisownvalue，andtostrugglewithallhismightagainsthisdeeplove。Sometimeshewouldeveninveighagainsther，andcallherafickle，ungratefulgirl，capableofnostrongpassionbutvanity。Manyahardtermheappliedtoherinhissorrowfulsolitude；butnotawordwhenhehadahearer。Hefoundithardtorest:hekeptdashinguptoLondonandback。Heplungedfuriouslyintostudy。Hegroanedandsighed，andfoughtthehardandbitterfightthatistoooftenthelotofthedeepthatlovetheshallow。Strong，butsingle-hearted，nootherladycouldcomforthim。Heturnedfromfemalecompany，andshunnedallforthefaultofone。

Theinwardcontestworehim。Hebegantolookverythinandwan；

andallforaSimpleton!

Mr。Falconprolongedhisstayintheneighborhood，anddroveahandsomedogcartovertwiceaweektovisitMr。Lusignan。

Heusedtocallonthatgentlemanatfouro"clock，foratthathourMr。Lusignanwasalwaysout，andhisdaughteralwaysathome。

Shewasathomeatthathourbecauseshetookherlongwalksinthemorning。Whilehernewadmirerwasinbed，ordressing，orbreakfasting，shewasspringingalongtheroadwithalltheelasticityofyouth，andhealth，andnativevigor，bracedbydailyexercise。

Twenty-oneofthesewalksdidshetake，withnootherresultthanhealthandappetite；butthetwenty-secondwasmorefertile——

extremelyfertile。Startinglaterthanusual，shepassedthroughGravesendwhileReginaldFalconwassmokingathisfrontwindow。

Hesawher，andinstantlydoffedhisdressing-gownanddonnedhiscoattofollowher。Hewasmadlyinlovewithher，andbeingamanwhohadlearnedtoshootpigeonsandopportunitiesflying，heinstantlyresolvedtojoinherinherwalk，getherclearofthetown，bythesea-beach，wherebeautymelts，andproposetoher。

Yes，marriagehadnotbeenhithertohishabit，butthisgirlwaspeerless:hewaspledgedbyhonorandgratitudetoPhoebeDale；buthangallthatnow。"Nomanshouldmarryonewomanwhenhelovesanother；itisdishonorable。"Hegotintothestreetandfollowedherasfastashecouldwithoutrunning。

Itwasnotsoeasytocatchher。Ladiesarenotbuiltforrunning；

butafine，tall，symmetricalgirlwhohaspractisedwalkingfastcancoverthegroundwonderfullyinwalking——ifshechooses。ItwasasighttoseehowRosaLusignansquaredhershouldersandsteppedoutfromthewaistlikeaCanadiangirlskating，whileherelasticfootslappedthepavementasshespankedalong。

ShehadnearlyclearedthetownbeforeFalconcameupwithher。

Hewashardlytenyardsfromherwhenanunexpectedincidentoccurred。ShewhiskedroundthecornerofBirdStreet，andranplumpagainstChristopherStaines；infact，shedartedintohisarms，andherfacealmosttouchedthebreastshehadwoundedsodeeply。

CHAPTERIV。

Rosacried"Oh!"andputupherhandstoherfaceinlovelyconfusion，coloringlikeapeony。

"Ibegyourpardon，"saidChristopher，stiffly，butinavoicethattrembled。

"No，"saidRosa，"itwasIranagainstyou。Iwalksofastnow。

HopeIdidnothurtyou。"

"Hurtme?"

"Well，then，frightenyou?"

Noanswer。

"Oh，pleasedon"tquarrelwithmeintheSTREET，"saidRosa，cunninglyimplyingthathewasthequarrelsomeone。"Iamgoingonthebeach。Good-by!"Thisadieusheutteredsoftly，andinahesitatingtonethatbeliedit。Shestartedoff，however，butmuchmoreslowlythanshewasgoingbefore；and，asshewent，sheturnedherheadwithinfinitegrace，andkeptlookingaskantdownatthepavementtwoyardsbehindher:moreovershewentclosetothewall，andleftroomathersideforanothertowalk。

Christopherhesitatedamoment；butthemuteinvitation，soarchyettimid，sopretty，tender，sly，andwomanly，wastoomuchforhim，asithasgenerallyprovedformales，andthephilosopher"sfootwassoonintheveryplacetowhichtheSimpletonwiththemeretailofhereyedirectedit。

Theywalkedalong，sidebyside，insilence，Stainesagitated，gloomy，confused，Rosaradiantandglowing，yetnotknowingwhattosayforherself，andwantingChristophertobegin。Sotheywalkedalongwithoutaword。

Falconfollowedthematsomedistancetoseewhetheritwasanadmireroronlyanacquaintance。Aloverheneverdreamedof；shehadshownsuchevidentpleasureinhiscompany，andhadreceivedhisvisitsalonesoconstantly。

However，whenthepairhadgottothebeach，andwerewalkingslowerandslower，hefeltapangofrageandjealousy，turnedonhisheelwithanaudiblecurse，andfoundPhoebeDaleafewyardsbehindhimwithawhitefaceandapeculiarlook。Heknewwhatthelookmeant；hehadbroughtittothatfaithfulfacebeforeto-day。

"Youarebetter，MissLusignan。"

"Better，Dr。Staines?Iamhealthitselfthanksto——hem!"

"Ourestrangementhasagreedwithyou?"Thisverybitterly。

"Youknowverywellitisnotthat。Oh，pleasedon"tmakemecryinthestreets。"

Thishumblepetition，orrathermeekthreat，ledtoanotherlongsilence。Itwascontinuedtilltheyhadnearlyreachedtheshore。

But，meantime，Rosa"sfurtiveeyesscannedChristopher"sface，andherconsciencesmoteheratthesignsofsuffering。Shefeltadesiretobeghispardonwithdeephumility；butshesuppressedthatweakness。Shehungherheadwithapretty，sheepishair，andaskedhimifhecouldnotthinkofsomethingagreeabletosaytooneafterdesertingonesolong。

"Iamafraidnot，"saidChristopher，bluntly。"Ihaveanawkwardhabitofspeakingthetruth；andsomepeoplecan"tbearthat，notevenwhenitisspokenfortheirgood。"

"Thatdependsontemper，andnerves，andthings，"saidRosa，deprecatingly；thensoftly，"Icouldbearanythingfromyounow。"

"Indeed!"saidChristopher，grimly。"Well，then，Ihearyouhadnosoonergotridofyouroldlover，forlovingyoutoowellandtellingyouthetruth，thanyoutookupanother，——someflimsymanoffashion，whowilltellyouanylieyoulike。"

"Itisastory，awickedstory，"criedRosa，thoroughlyalarmed。

"Me，alover!Hedanceslikeanangel；Ican"thelpthat。"

"Arehisvisitsatyourhouselikeangels"——fewandfarbetween?"

Andthetruelover"sbrowloweredblackuponherforthefirsttime。

Rosachangedcolor，andhereyesfellamoment。"Askpapa，"shesaid。"Hisfatherwasanoldfriendofpapa"s。"

"Rosa，youareprevaricating。Youngmendonotcallonoldgentlemenwhenthereisanattractiveyoungladyinthehouse。"

Theargumentwasgettingtooclose；soRosaoperatedadiversion。

"So，"saidshe，withasuddenairofloftydisdain，swiftlyandadroitlyassumed，"youhavehadmewatched?"

"NotI；Ionlyhearwhatpeoplesay。"

"Listentogossipandnothavemewatched!Thatshowshowlittleyoureallycaredforme。Well，ifyouhad，youwouldhavemadealittlediscovery，thatisall。"

"ShouldI?"saidChristopher，puzzled。"What?"

"Ishallnottellyou。Thinkwhatyouplease。Yes，sir，youwouldhavefoundoutthatItakelongwalkseveryday，allalone；andwhatismore，thatIwalkthroughGravesend，hoping——likeagoose——

thatsomebodyreallylovedme，andwouldmeetme，andbegmypardon；andifhehad，Ishouldhavetoldhimitwasonlymytongue，andmynerves，andthings；myheartwashis，andmygratitude。Andafterall，whatdowordssignify，whenIamagood，obedientgirlatbottom?Sothatiswhatyouhavelostbynotcondescendingtolookafterme。Finelove!——Christopher，begmypardon。"

"MayIinquireforwhat?"

"Why，fornotunderstandingme；fornotknowingthatIshouldbesorrythemomentyouweregone。Itookthemofftheverynextday，topleaseyou。"

"Tookoffwhom?——Oh，Iunderstand。Youdid?ThenyouAREagoodgirl。"

"Didn"tItellyouIwas?Agood，obedientgirl，andanythingbutaflirt。"

"Idon"tsaythat。"

"ButIdo。Don"tinterrupt。ItistoyourgoodadviceIowemyhealth；andtoloveanybodybutyou，whenIoweyoumyloveandmylife，Imustbeaheartless，ungrateful，worthless——Oh，Christopher，forgiveme!No，no；Imean，begmypardon。"

"I"lldoboth，"saidChristopher，takingherinhisarms。"Ibegyourpardon，andIforgiveyou。"

Rosaleanedherheadtenderlyonhisshoulder，andbegantosigh。

"Oh，dear，dear!Iamawicked，foolishgirl，notfittowalkalone。"

Onthisadmission，Christopherspokeout，andurgedhertoputanendtoalltheseunhappymisunderstandings，andtohisnewtorment，jealousy，bymarryinghim。

"AndsoIwouldthisveryminute，ifpapawouldconsent。But，"

saidshe，slyly，"younevercanbesofoolishtowishit。What!awisemanlikeyoumarryasimpleton!"

"DidIevercallyouthat?"askedChristopher，reproachfully。

"No，dear；butyouaretheonlyonewhohasnot；andperhapsI

shouldloseeventheone，ifyouweretomarryme。Oh，husbandsarenotsopoliteaslovers!Ihaveobservedthat，simpletonornot。"

Christopherassuredherthathetookquiteadifferentviewofhercharacter；hebelievedhertobetooprofoundforshallowpeopletoreadallinamoment:heevenintimatedthathehimselfhadexperiencednolittledifficultyinunderstandingheratoddtimes。

"Andso，"saidhe，"theyturnrounduponyou，andinsteadofsaying，"Wearetooshallowtofathomyou，"theypretendyouareasimpleton。"

ThissolutionofthemysteryhadneveroccurredtoRosa，norindeedwasitlikelytooccurtoanycreaturelessingeniousthanalover:

itpleasedherhugely；herfineeyessparkled，andshenestledcloserstilltothestrongarmthatwastoparryeveryill，frommortaldiseasetogallingepithets。

Shelistenedwithawillingeartoallhisreasons，hishopes，hisfears，and，whentheyreachedherfather"sdoor，itwassettledthatheshoulddinetherethatday，andurgehissuittoherfatherafterdinner。Shewouldimploretheoldgentlemantolistentoitfavorably。

Theloversparted，andChristopherwenthomelikeonewhohasawakenedfromahideousdreamtodaylightandhappiness。

Hehadnotgonefarbeforehemetadashingdogcart，drivenbyanexquisite。Heturnedtolookafterit，andsawitdriveuptoKentVilla。

Inamomenthedivinedhisrival，andasicknessofheartcameoverhim。Butherecoveredhimselfdirectly，andsaid，"Ifthatisthefellow，shewillnotreceivehimnow。"

Shedidreceivehimthough:atallevents，thedogcartstoodatthedoor，anditsmasterremainedinside。

Christopherstood，andcountedtheminutes:five，ten，fifteen，twentyminutes，andstillthedogcartstoodthere。

Itwasmorethanhecouldbear。Heturnedsavagely，andstrodebacktoGravesend，resolvingthatallthistortureshouldendthatnight，onewayorother。

PhoebeDalewasthedaughterofafarmerinEssex，andoneofthehappiestyoungwomeninEnglandtillsheknewReginaldFalcon，Esq。

Shewasrearedonwholesomefood，inwholesomeair，andusedtochurnbutter，makebread，cookabitnowandthen，cutoutandsewallherowndresses，getupherownlinen，makehay，rideanythingonfourlegs；and，forallthat，wasagreatreader，andtaughtintheSundayschooltoobligethevicar；wroteaneathand，andwasagoodarithmetician，keptallthehouseaccountsandfarmaccounts。

Shewasamusician，too，——notprofound，butverycorrect。Shewouldtakeherturnattheharmoniuminchurch，and，whenshewasthere，youneverheardawrongnoteinthebass，noraninappropriateflourish，norbadtime。Shecouldsing，too，butneverwould，exceptherpartinapsalm。Hervoicewasadeepcontralto，andshechosetobeashamedofthisheavenlyorgan，becauseapackofenviousgirlshadgiggled，andsaiditwaslikeaman"s。

Inshort，hernaturalabilityandtherangeandvarietyofherusefulaccomplishmentswereconsiderable；notthatshewasaprodigy；butshebelongedtoasmallclassofwomeninthisislandwhoarenottoohightousetheirarms，nortoolowtocultivatetheirminds；and，havingafacultyandahabitdeplorablyrareamongsthersex，viz。，Attention，shehadprofitedbyhermiscellaneousadvantages。

Herfigureandfacebothtoldherbreedatonce:herewasanoldEnglishpastoralbeauty；nottheround-backed，narrow-chestedcottager，butthewell-fed，erectrustic，withbroad，fullbustandmassiveshoulder，andarmashardasarockwithhealthandconstantuse；ahandfinelycut，thoughneithersmallnorverywhite，andjustalittlehardinside，comparedwithLuxury"ssoftpalm；afacehonest，fair，andratherlargethansmall；notbeautiful，butexceedinglycomely；acomplexionnotpinkandwhite，butthatdelicatelyblendedbrickdustycolor，whichtintsthewholecheekinfinegradation，outlastsothercomplexionstwentyyears，andbeautifiesthetrueNorthern，eveninoldage。Gray，limpid，honest，point-blank，searchingeyes；hairtruenut-brown，withoutashadeofredorblack；andahigh，smoothforehead，fullofsense。

Acrossitranonedeepwrinklethatdidnotbelongtoheryouth。

Thatwrinklewasthebrandoftrouble，thelineofagony。Ithadcomeoflovingaboveher，yetbelowher，andoflovinganegotist。

Threeyearsbeforeourtalecommenced，agentleman"shorseranawaywithhim，andthrewhimonaheapofstonesbytheroadside，notveryfarfromFarmerDale"sgate。Thefarmerhadhimtakenin。

Thedoctorsaidhemustnotbemoved。Hewasinsensible；hischeeklikedelicatewax；hisfairhairlikesilkstainedwithblood。HebecamePhoebe"spatient，and，induecourse，herconvalescent:hispale，handsomefaceandfascinatingmannersgainedonecharmmorefromweakness；hisviceswereinabeyance。

Thewomanlynurse"sheartyearnedoverherchild；forhewasfeebleasachild；and，whenhegotwellenoughtoamusehiswearyhoursbymakinglovetoher，andtellingherapackofarrantlies，shewasareadydupe。Hewastomarryherassoonaseverhisolduncledied，andlefthimthemeans，etc。，etc。Atlasthegotwellenoughtoleaveher，andwentaway，heropenadmirerandsecretlover。Heborrowedtwentypoundsofherthedayheleft。

Heusedtowritehercharmingletters，andfeedtheflame；butonedayherfathersentheruptoLondon，onhisownbusiness，allofasudden，andshecalledonMr。Falconathisrealaddress。Shefoundhedidnotlivethere——onlyreceivedletters。However，half-

a-crownsoonboughthisrealaddress，andthitherPhoebeproceededwithatroubledheart，forshesuspectedthathertrueloverwasindebtortrouble，andobligedtohide。Well，hemustbegotoutofit，andhideatthefarmmeantime。

Sothelovinggirlknockedatthedoor，askedforMr。Falcon，andwasshownintoaladyrathershowilydressed，whoaskedherbusiness。

PhoebeDalestaredather，andthenturnedpaleasashes。Shewasparalyzed，andcouldnotfindhertongue。

"Why，whatisthematternow?"saidtheother，sharply。

"AreyoumarriedtoReginaldFalcon?"

"OfcourseIam。Lookatmywedding-ring。"

"ThenIamnotwantedhere，"falteredPhoebe，readytosinkonthefloor。

"Certainlynot，ifyouareoneofthebygones，"saidthewoman，coarsely；andPhoebeDalewaitedtohearnomore，butfoundherway，Heavenknowshow，intothestreet，andthereleaned，half-

fainting，onarail，tillapolicemancame，andtoldhershehadbeendrinking，andsuggestedacoolcellasthebestcure。

"Notdrink；onlyabreakingheart，"saidshe，inherlow，mellowvoicethatfewcouldresist。

Hegotheraglassofwater，droveawaytheboysthatcongregateddirectly，andsheleftthestreet。Butshesooncamebackagain，andwaitedaboutforReginaldFalcon。

Itwasnightwhenheappeared。Sheseizedhimbythebreast，andtaxedhimwithhisvillany。

Whatwithherirongrasp，paleface，andflashingeyes，helosthiscoolimpudence，andblurtedoutexcuses。Itwasanoldandunfortunateconnection；hewouldgivetheworldtodissolveit，ifhecoulddoitlikeagentleman。

Phoebetoldhimtopleasehimself:hemustpartwithoneortheother。

"Don"ttalknonsense，"saidthismanofbrass；"I"llun-Falconheronthespot。"

"Verywell，"saidPhoebe。"Iamgoinghome；and，ifyouarenottherebyto-morrowatnoon"——Shesaidnomore，butlookedagreatdeal。Thenshedeparted，andrefusedhimherhandatparting。"Wewillseeaboutthatbyandby，"saidshe。

Atnoonmylordcamedowntothefarm，and，unfortunatelyforPhoebe，playedthepenitentsoskilfullyforaboutamonth，thatsheforgavehim，andlovedhimallthemoreforhavingsonearlypartedwithhim。

Herpeacewasnottoendurelong。Hewasdetectedinanintrigueintheveryvillage。

TheinsultstrucksohomethatPhoebeherself，toherparents"

satisfaction，orderedhimoutofthehouseatonce。

But，whenhewasgone，shehadfitsofweeping，andcouldsettletonothingforalongtime。

Monthshadelapsed，andshewasgettingasortofdulltranquillity，when，oneevening，takingawalkshehadoftenwithhim，andmourninghersolitudeandwastedaffection，hewaylaidher，andclungtoherknees，andshedcrocodiletearsonherhands，and，afteralongresistance，violentatfirst，butfainterandfainter，gotherinhispoweragain，andthatsocompletelythatshemethimseveraltimesbynight，beingashamedtobeseenwithhiminthosepartsbyday。

Thisendedinfreshpromisesofmarriage，andinaconstantcorrespondencebyletter。Thispestknewexactlyhowtotalktoawoman，andhowtowritetoone。Hislettersfedtheunhappyflame；

and，mindyou，hesometimesdeceivedhimself，andthoughthelovedher；butitwasonlyhimselfheloved。Shewasaninvaluablelover；afaithful，disinterestedfriend；herswasavilebargain；

his，anexcellentone，andheclungtoit。

Andsotheywenton。Shedetectedhiminanotherinfidelity，andreproachedhimbitterly；butshehadnolongerthestrengthtobreakwithhim。Nevertheless，thistimeshehadthesensetomakeastruggle。Sheimploredhim，onherveryknees，toshowheralittlemercyinreturnforallherlove。"Forpity"ssake，leaveme!"shecried。"Youarestrong，andIamweak。Youcanenditforever，andpraydo。Youdon"twantme；youdon"tvalueme:then，leaveme，onceandforall，andendthishellyoukeepmein。"

No；hecouldnot，orhewouldnot，leaveheralone。Lookatabird"swings!——howlikeanangel"s!Yetsovileathingasabitofbirdlimesubduesthemutterly；andsuchwasthefascinatingpowerofthismeanmanoverthisworthywoman。Shewasareader，athinker，amodelofrespectability，industry，andsense；abusinesswoman，keenandpractical；couldencountersharphandsinsharptrades；couldbuyorsellhogs，calves，orbeastswithanyfarmerorbutcherinthecountry，yetnomatchforacunningfool。

Shehadenshrinedanidolinherheart，andthatheartadoredit，andclungtoit，thoughthesuperiorheadsawthroughit，dreadedit，despisedit。