第13章
"Oh!whatisthematternow?"saidshe。
"Thematteriswhatithasalwaysbeen，ifIcouldonlyhaveseenit。Youhavedeceivedme，anddisgracedyourself。Lookatthosebills。"
"Whatbills?Oh!"
"Youhavehadanallowanceforhousekeeping。"
"Itwasn"tenough。"
"Itwasplenty，ifyouhadkeptfaithwithme，andpaidreadymoney。Itwasenoughforthefirstfiveweeks。Iamhousekeepernow，andIshallallowmyselftwopoundsaweekless，andnotoweashillingeither。"
"Well，allIknowis，Icouldn"tdoit:nowomancould。"
"Then，youshouldhavecometome，andsaidso；andIwouldhaveshownyouhow。WasIinEgypt，orattheNorthPole，thatyoucouldnotfindme，totreatmelikeafriend?Youhaveruinedus:
thesedebtswillsweepawaythelastshillingofourlittlecapital；butitisn"tthat，oh，no!itisthemiserabledeceit。"
Rosa"seyecaughtthesumtotalofMadameCie"sbill，andsheturnedpale。"Oh，whatacheatthatwomanis!"
ButsheturnedpalerwhenChristophersaid，"Thatistheonehonestbill；forIgaveyouleave。Itisthesethatpartus:these!
these!Lookatthem，falseheart!There，goandpackupyourthings。Wecanliveherenolonger；weareruined。Imustsendyoubacktoyourfather。"
"Ithoughtyouwould，soonerorlater，"saidMrs。Staines，panting，trembling，butshowingalittlefight。"HetoldyouIwasn"tfittobeapoorman"swife。"
"Anhonestman"swife，youmean:thatiswhatyouarenotfitfor。
Youwillgohometoyourfather，andIshallgointosomehumblelodgingtoworkforyou。I"llcontrivetokeepyou，andfindyouahundredayeartospendindress——theonlythingyourheartcanreallylove。ButIwon"thaveanenemyhereinthedisguiseofafriend；andIwon"thaveawifeaboutmeImusttreatlikeaservant，andwatchlikeatraitor。"
Thewordswereharsh，buttheagonywithwhichtheywerespokendistinguishedthemfromvulgarvituperation。
TheyoverpoweredpoorRosa；shehadbeenailingalittlesometime，andfromremorseandterror，coupledwithothercauses，naturegaveway。Herlipsturnedwhite，shegaspedinarticulately，and，withalittlepiteousmoan，tottered，andswooneddeadaway。
Hewaswalkingwildlyabout，readytotearhishair，whenshetottered；hesawherjustintimetosaveher，andlaidhergentlyonthefloor，andkneeledoverher。
Awaywentangerandeveryotherfeelingbutloveandpityforthepoor，weakcreaturethat，withallherfaults，wassolovableandsoloved。
Heappliednoremediesatfirst:heknewtheywereuselessandunnecessary。Helaidherheadquitelow，andopeneddoorandwindow，andloosenedallherdress，sighingdeeplyallthetimeathercondition。
Whilehewasthusemployed，suddenlyastrangecrybrokefromhim:
acryofhorror，remorse，joy，tenderness，allcombined:acrycomparedwithwhichlanguageisinarticulate。Hisswiftandpracticaleyehadmadeadiscovery。
Hekneeledoverher，withhiseyesdilatingandhishandsclasped，apictureofloveandtenderremorse。
Shestirred。
Thenhemadehaste，andappliedhisremedies，andbroughtherslowlybacktolife；heliftedherup，andcarriedherinhisarmsquiteawayfromthebillsandthings，that，whenshecameto，shemightseenothingtoreviveherdistress。Hecarriedhertothedrawing-room，andkneeleddownandrockedherinhisarms，andpressedheragainandagaingentlytohisheart，andcriedoverher。"Omydove，mydove!thetendercreatureGodgavemetoloveandcherish，andhaveIuseditharshly?IfIhadonlyknown!ifI
hadonlyknown!"
Whilehewasthusbemoaningher，andblaminghimself，andcryingoverherliketherain，——he，whomshehadneverseenshedatearbeforeinallhistroubles，——shewascomingtoentirely，andherquickearscaughthiswords，andsheopenedherlovelyeyesonhim。
"Iforgiveyou，dear，"shesaidfeebly。"BUTIHOPEYOUWILLBEA
KINDERFATHERTHANAHUSBAND。"
Thesequietwords，spokenwithraregravityandsoftness，wentthroughthegreatheartlikeaknife。
Hegaveasortofshiver，butsaidnotaword。
ButthatnighthemadeasolemnvowtoGodthatnoharshwordfromhislipsshouldeveragainstrikeabeingsoweak，soloving，andsobeyondhiscomprehension。Whylookforcourageandcandorinacreaturesotimidandshy，shecouldnoteventellherhusbandTHAT
until，withhersubtlesense，shesawhehaddiscoveredit?
CHAPTERXII。
Tobeafather；tohaveanimageofhisdarlingRosa，andafruitoftheirlovetoliveandworkfor:thisgavethesoreheartaheavenlyglow，andelasticitytobear。Shouldthisdearobjectbeborntoaninheritanceofdebt，ofpoverty?Never。
Hebegantoactasifhewasevennowafather。HeentreatedRosanottotroubleorvexherself；hewouldlookintotheirfinances，andsetallstraight。
Hepaidallthebills，andputbyaquarter"srentandtaxes。Thenthereremainedofhislittlecapitaljusttenpounds。
Hewenttohisprinters，andhadathousandorder-checksprinted。
Theseformsranthus:——
"Dr。Staines，of13DearStreet，Mayfair(blankfordate)，ordersof(blankherefortradesmanandgoodsordered)，forcash。
Receivedsametime(blankfortradesman"sreceipt)。Notice:Dr。
Stainesdisownsallordersnotprintedonthisform，andpaidforatdateoforder。"
Heexhibitedtheseforms，andwarnedallthetradespeople，beforeawitnesswhomhetookroundforthatpurpose。
HepaidoffPearmanonthespot。PearmanhadmetClara，dressedlikeapauper，hersoldierhavingemptiedherboxtotheverydregs，andhenowofferedtostay。Butitwastoolate。
StainestoldthecookMrs。Staineswasindelicatehealth，andmustnotbetroubledwithanything。Shemustcometohimforallorders。
"Yes，sir，"saidshe。Butshenosoonercomprehendedthechecksystemfullythanshegavewarning。Itputastoptoherwholesalepilfering。Rosa"scookshadmadefullyahundredpoundsoutofheramongstthemsinceshebegantokeepaccounts。
Underthemalehousekeepereveryarticlewasweighedondelivery，andthissoonrevealedthatthebutcherandthefishmongerhadhabituallydeliveredshortweightfromthefirst，besidesputtingdownthesamethingtwice。Thethingsweresentbackthatmoment，withaprintedform，statingthenatureandextentofthefraud。
Thewasherwoman，whohadbeenpilferingwholesalesolongasMrs。
Stainesandhersloppy-headedmaidscountedthelinen，andthenforgotit，wasbroughtupwitharun，bytriplicateforms，andbyStainescountingthethingsbeforetwowitnesses，andcompellingthewasherwomantocountthemaswell，andverifyordisputeonthespot。Thelaundressgavewarning——aplainconfessionthatstealinghadbeenpartofhertrade。
Hekeptthehousewellforthreepoundsaweek，exclusiveofcoals，candles，andwine。Hiswifehadhadfivepounds，andwhateversheaskedfordinner-parties，yetfounditnothalfenoughuponhermethod。
Hekeptnocoachman。Ifhevisitedapatient，amanintheyarddrovehimatashillingperhour。
Bythesemeans，andbyworkinglikeagalleyslave，hedraggedhisexpendituredownalmosttoalevelwithhisincome。
Rosawasquitecontentatfirst，andthoughtherselfluckytoescapereproachesonsucheasyterms。
Butbyandbysorigorousasystembegantogallher。OnedayshefanciedaBathbun；sentthenewmaidtothepastry-cook"s。
Pastry-cookaskedtoseethedoctor"sorder。Maidcouldnotshowit，andcamebackbunless。
Rosacameintothestudytocomplaintoherhusband。
"ABathbun，"saidStaines。"Why，theyarecoloredwithannotto，tosaveanegg，andannottoisadulteratedwithchromatesthatarepoison。Adulterationuponadulteration。I"llmakeyouarealBathbun。"Offcoat，andintothekitchen，andmadeherthree，pure，butratherheavy。Hebroughtthemherinduecourse。Shedeclinedthemlanguidly。Shewasoffthenotion，astheysayinScotland。
"IfIcan"thaveathingwhenIwantit，Idon"tcareforitatall。"Suchwastheprincipleshelaiddownforhisfutureguidance。
Hesighed，andwentbacktohiswork；sheclearedtheplate。
Oneday，whensheaskedforthecarriage，hetoldherthetimewasnowcomeforhertoleaveoffcarriageexercise。Shemustwalkwithhimeveryday，instead。
"ButIdon"tlikewalking。"
"Iamsorryforthat。Butitisnecessarytoyou，andbyandbyyourlifemaydependonit。"
Quietly，butinexorably，hedraggedheroutwalkingeveryday。
Inoneofthesewalksshestoppedatashopwindow，andfellinlovewithsomebaby"sthings。"Oh!Imusthavethat，"saidshe。
"Imust。IshalldieifIdon"t；you"llseenow。"
"Youshall，"saidhe，"whenIcanpayforit，"anddrewheraway。
Thetearsofdisappointmentstoodinhereyes，andhisheartyearnedoverher。Buthekepthishead。
Hechangedthedinnerhourtosix，andusedtogooutdirectlyafterwards。
Shebegantocomplainofhisleavingheralonelikethat。
"Well，butwaitabit，"saidhe；"supposeIammakingalittlemoneybyit，tobuyyousomethingyouhavesetyourhearton，poordarling!"
Inaveryfewdaysafterthis，hebroughtheralittleboxwithaslitinit。Heshookit，andmoneyrattled；thenheunlockedit，andpouredoutalittlepileofsilver。"There，"saidhe，"putonyourbonnet，andcomeandbuythosethings。"
Sheputonherbonnet，andonthewaysheaskedhowitcametobeallinsilver。
"Thatisapuzzler，"saidhe，"isn"tit?"
"Andhowdidyoumakeit，dear?bywriting?"
"No。"
"Byfeesfromthepoorpeople?"
"What，undersellmybrethren!Hangit，no!Mydear，Imadeithonestly，andsomedayIwilltellyouhowImadeit；atpresent，allIwilltellyouisthis:Isawmydarlinglongingforsomethingshehadarighttolongfor；Isawthetearsinhersweeteyes，and——oh，comealong，do。IamwretchedtillIseeyouwiththethingsinyourhand。"
Theywenttotheshop；andStainessatandwatchedRosabuyingbaby-clothes。Oh，itwasaprettysighttoseethismodestyoungcreature，littlemorethanachildherself，anticipatingmaternity，butblushingeverynowandthen，andlookingaskantatherlordandmaster。Howhisverybowelsyearnedoverher!
Andwhentheygothome，shespreadthethingsonatable，andtheysathandinhand，andlookedatthem，andsheleanedherheadonhisshoulder，andwentquietlytosleepthere。
Andyet，astimerolledon，shebecameirritableattimes，andimpatient，andwantedallmannerofthingsshecouldnothave，andmadehimunhappy。
Thenhewasoutfromsixo"clocktillone，andshetookitintoherheadtobejealous。Somanyhourstospendawayfromher!Nowthatshewantedallhiscomfort。
Presently，Ellen，thenewmaid，gotgossipingintheyard，andagroomtoldherhermasterhadasweetheartonthesly，hethought；
forhedrovethebroughamouteveryeveninghimself；"and，"saidtheman，"hewearsamustacheatnight。"
Ellenranin，brimfulofthis，andtoldthecook；thecooktoldthewasherwoman；thewasherwomantoldadozenfamilies，tillabouttwohundredpeopleknewit。
AtlastitcametoMrs。Stainesinaroundaboutway，attheverymomentwhenshewascomplainingtoLadyCicelyTreherneofherhardlot。Shehadbeentellinghershewasnothingmorethanalay-
figureinthehouse。
"Myhusbandishousekeepernow，andcook，andall，andmakesmedeliciousdishes，Icantellyou；SUCHcurries!Icouldn"tkeepthehousewithfivepoundsaweek，sonowhedoesitwiththree:
andInevergetthecarriage，becausewalkingisbestforme；andhetakesitouteverynighttomakemoney。Idon"tunderstandit。"
LadyCicelysuggestedthatperhapsDr。Stainesthoughtitbestforhertoberelievedofallworry，andsoundertookthehousekeeping。
"No，no，no，"saidRosa；"Iusedtopaythemallapartoftheirbills，andthenalittlemore，andsoIkeptgettingdeeper；andI
wasashamedtotellChristie，sothathecallsdeceit；andoh，hespoketomesocruellyonce!Buthewasverysorryafterwards，poordear!Whyaregirlsbroughtupsosilly?allpiano，andnosense；andwhyaremensillierstilltogoandmarrysuchsillythings?Awife!Iamnotsomuchasaservant。Oh，Iamfinelyhumiliated，and，"withasuddenheartynaiveteallherown，"itservesmejustright。"
WhileLadyCicelywaspuzzlingthisout，incamealetter。Rosaopenedit，readit，andgaveacrylikeawoundeddeer。
"Oh!"shecried，"Iamamiserablewoman。Whatwillbecomeofme?"
Theletterinformedherbluntlythatherhusbanddrovehisbroughamouteverynighttopursueacriminalamour。
WhileRosawaswringingherhandsinrealanguishofheart，LadyCicelyreadthelettercarefully。
"Idon"tbelievethis，"saidshequietly。
"Nottrue!Why，whowouldbesowickedastostabapoor，inoffensivewretchlikeme，ifitwasn"ttrue?"
"Thefirstuglywomanwould，inaminute。Don"tyouseethewitercan"ttellyouwherehegoes?Dwiveshisbwoughamout!Thatisallyourinfaumantknows。"
"Oh，mydearfriend，blessyou!WhathaveIbeencomplainingtoyouabout?Allislight，excepttolosehislove。WhatshallI
do?Iwillnevertellhim。IwillneveraffronthimbysayingI
suspectedhim。"
"Wosa，ifyoudothat，youwillalwayshaveaserpentgnawingyou。
No；youmustputtheletterquietlyintohishand，andsay，"Isthereanytruthinthat?""
"Oh，Icouldnot。Ihaven"tthecourage。IfIdothat，Ishallknowbyhisfaceifthereisanytruthinit。"
"Well，andyoumustknowthetwuth。Youshallknowit。Iwanttoknowittoo；forifhedoesnotloveyoutwuly，Iwillnevaatwustmyselftoanythingsodeceitfulasaman。"
Rosaatlastconsentedtofollowthisadvice。
AfterdinnersheputtheletterintoChristopher"shand，andaskedhimquietlywasthereanytruthinthat:thenherhandstrembled，andhereyesdrankhim。
Christopherreadit，andfrowned；thenhelookedup，andsaid，"No，notaword。Whatscoundrelsthereareintheworld!Togoandtellyouthat，NOW!Why，youlittlegoose!haveyoubeensillyenoughtobelieveit?"
"No，"saidsheirresolutely。"ButDOyoudrivethebroughamouteverynight?"
"ExceptSunday。"
"Where?"
"Mydearwife，IneverlovedyouasIloveyounow；andifitwasnotforyou，Ishouldnotdrivethebroughamoutofnights。ThatisallIshalltellyouatpresent；butsomedayI"lltellyouallaboutit。"
Hetooksuchacalmhighhandwithheraboutit，thatshesubmittedtoleaveitthere；butfromthismomenttheserpentdoubtnibbledher。
Ithadonecuriouseffect，though。Sheleftoffcomplainingoftrifles。
NowithappenedonenightthatLadyCicelyTreherneandafriendwereataconcertinHanoverSquare。Theotherladyfeltratherfaint，andLadyCicelyofferedtotakeherhome。Thecarriageshadnotyetarrived，andMissMacnamarasaidtowalkafewstepswoulddohergood:asmartcabmansawthemfromadistanceanddroveup，andtouchinghishatsaid，"Cab，ladies?"
Itseemedaverysuperiorcab，andMissMacnamarasaid"Yes"
directly。
Thecabmanbustleddownandopenedthedoor；MissMacnamaragotinfirst，thenLadyCicely；hereyefellonthecabman"sface，whichwaslightedfullbyastreet-lamp，anditwasChristopherStaines!
Hestartedandwinced；butthewomanoftheworldnevermovedamuscle。
"Whereto?"saidStaines，avertinghishead。
Shetoldhimwhere，andwhentheygotout，said，"I"llsendityoubytheservant。"
Aflunkeysoonafterappearedwithhalf-a-crown，andtheamateurcoachmandroveaway。Hesaidtohimself，"Come，mymustacheisabetterdisguisethanIthought。"
Nextday，andthedayafter，heaskedRosa，withaffectedcarelessness，hadsheheardanythingofLadyCicely。
"No，dear；butIdaresayshewillcallthisafternoon:itisherday。"
Shedidcallatlast，andafterafewwordswithRosa，becamealittlerestless，andaskedifshemightconsultDr。Staines。
"Certainly，dear。Cometohisstudio。"
"No；mightIseehimhere?"
"Certainly。"Sherangthebell，andtoldtheservanttoaskDr。
Stainesifhewouldbekindenoughtostepintothedrawing-room。
Dr。Stainescamein，andbowedtoLadyCicely，andeyedheralittleuncomfortably。
Shebegan，however，inawaythatputhimquiteathisease。"YouremembertheadviceyougaveusaboutmylittlecousinTadcastah。"
"Perfectly:hislifeisveryprecarious；heisbilious，consumptive，and，ifnotwatched，willbeepileptical；andhehasafond，weakmother，whowilllethimkillhimself。"
"Exactly:andyouwecommendedaseavoyage，withamedicalattendanttowatchhisdiet，andcontwolhishabits。Well，shetookotheradvice，andtheyouthisworse；sonowsheisfwightened，andamonthagosheaskedmetopwoposetoyoutosailaboutwithTadcastah；andsheofferedmeathousandpoundsayear。
Iputonmystifflook，andsaid，"Countess，witheverydesiahtoobligeyou，Imustdeclinetocawwythatoffahtoamanofgenius，learning，andweputation，whohastheballathisfeetinLondon。""
"Lordforgiveyou，LadyCicely。"
"LordblessherforstandingupformyChristie。"
LadyCicelycontinued:"Now，thisgoodlady，youmustknow，isnotexactlyoneofus:thelateearlmawwiedintocotton，orwool，orsomething。Soshesaid，"Nameyourpriceforhim。"Ishwuggedmyshoulders，smiledaffably，andasaffectedlyasyoulike，andchangedthesubject。Butsincethenthingshavehappened。Iamafwaiditismydutytomakeyouthejudgewhetheryouchoosetosailaboutwiththatlittlecub——Rosa，Icanbeataboutthebushnolonger。Isitafitthingthatamanofgenius，atwhosefeetweoughtalltobesittingwithreverence，shoulddriveacabinthepublicstreets?Yes，RosaStaines，yourhusbanddriveshisbroughamoutatnight，nottovisitanyotherlady，asthatanonymouswretchtoldyou，buttomakeafewmisewableshillingsforyou。"
"Oh，Christie!"
"Itisnouse，Dr。Staines；Imustandwilltellher。Mydear，hedroveMEthreenightsago。Hehadacabman"sbadgeonhispoorarm。IfyouknewwhatIsufferedinthosefiveminutes!Indeeditseemscrueltospeakofit——butIcouldnotkeepitfromRosa，andthereasonImustercouragetosayitbeforeyou，sir，itisbecauseIknowshehasotherfriendswhokeepyououtoftheirconsultations；and，afterall，itistheworldthatoughttoblush，andnotyou。"
Herladyship"skindlybosomheaved，andshewantedtocry；soshetookherhandkerchiefoutofherpocketwithouttheleasthurry，andpresseditdelicatelytohereyes，anddidcryquietly，butwithoutanydisguise，likeabravelady，whoneithercriednordidanythingelseshewasashamedtobeseenat。
AsforRosa，shesatsobbingroundChristopher"sneck，andkissedhimwithallhersoul。
"Dearme!"saidChristopher。"Youarebothverykind。But，beggingyourpardon，itismuchadoaboutnothing。"
LadyCicelytooknonoticeofthatobservation。"So，Rosadear，"
saidshe，"Ithinkyouarethepersontodecidewhetherhehadnotbettersailaboutwiththatlittlecub，than——oh!"
"Iwillsettlethat，"saidStaines。"Ihaveonebelovedcreaturetoprovidefor。Imayhaveanother。IMUSTmakemoney。Turningabroughamintoacab，whateveryoumaythink，isanhonestwayofmakingit，andIamnotthefirstdoctorwhohascoinedhisbroughamatnight。ButifthereisagooddealofmoneytobemadebysailingwithLordTadcaster，ofcourseIshouldpreferthattocab-driving，forIhavenevermadeabovetwelveshillingsanight。"
"Oh，astothat，sheshallgiveyoufifteenhundredayear。"
"ThenIjumpatit。"
"What!andleaveME?"
"Yes，love:leaveyou——foryourgood；andonlyforatime。LadyCicely，itisanobleoffer。MydarlingRosawillhaveeverycomfort——ay，everyluxury，tillIcomehome，andthenwewillstartafreshwithagoodbalance，andwithmoreexperiencethanwedidatfirst。"
LadyCicelygazedonhimwithwonder。Shesaid，"Oh!whatstoutheartsmenhave!No，no；don"tlethimgo。See；heisacting。
Hisgreatheartistornwithagony。Iwillhavenohandinpartingmanandwife——no，notforaday。"Andshehurriedawayinrareagitation。
Rosafellonherknees，andaskedChristopher"spardonforhavingbeenjealous；andthatdayshewasafloodofdivinetenderness。
Sherepaidhimrichlyfordrivingthecab。ButshewasunnaturallycoolaboutLadyCicely；andtheexquisitereasonsooncameout。
"Ohyes!Sheisverygood；verykind；butitisnotformenow!
No!youshallnotsailaboutwithhercubofacousin，andleavemeatsuchatime。"
Christophergroaned。
"Christie，youshallnotseethatladyagain。Shecameheretopartus。SHEISINLOVEWITHYOU。Iwasblindnottoseeitbefore。"
Nextday，asLadyCicelysataloneinthemorning-roomthinkingoverthisveryscene，afootmanbroughtinacardandanote。"Dr。
StainesbegsparticularlytoseeLadyCicelyTreherne。"
Thelady"spalecheekcolored；shestoodirresoluteasinglemoment。"IwillseeDr。Staines，"saidshe。
Dr。Stainescamein，lookingpaleandworn；hehadnotsleptawinksinceshesawhimlast。
Shelookedathimfull，anddivinedthisataglance。Shemotionedhimtoaseat，andsatdownherself，withherwhitehandpressingherforehead，andherheadturnedalittleawayfromhim。
CHAPTERXIII。
Hetoldherhehadcometothankherforhergreatkindness，andtoaccepttheoffer。
Shesighed。"Ihopeditwastodeclineit。Thinkofthemiseryofseparation，bothtoyouandher。"
"Itwillbemisery。Butwearenothappyasitis，andshecannotbearpoverty。Norisitfairsheshould，whenIcangivehereverycomfortbyjustplayingthemanforayearortwo。"HethentoldLadyCicelythereweremorereasonsthanhechosetomention:gohemust，andwould；andheimploredhernottolettheaffairdrop。
Inshort，hewassadbutresolved，andshefoundshemustgoonwithit，orbreakfaithwithhim。Shetookherdesk，andwrotealetterconcludingthebargainforhim。Shestipulatedforhalftheyear"sfeeinadvance。ShereadDr。Stainestheletter。
"YouAREafriend!"saidhe。"Ishouldneverhaveventuredonthat；itwillbeagodsendtomypoorRosa。YouwillbekindtoherwhenIamgone?"
"Iwill。"
"SowillUnclePhilip，Ithink。IwillseehimbeforeIgo，andshakehands。Hehasbeenagoodfriendtome；buthewastooharduponHER；andIcouldnotstandthat。"
Thenhethankedandblessedheragain，withthetearsinhiseyes，andlefthermoredisturbedandtearfulthanshehadeverbeensinceshegrewtowoman。"Ocruelpoverty!"shethought，"thatsuchamanshouldbetornfromhishome，andthankmefordoingit——
allforalittlemoney——andherearewepoorcommonplacecreaturesrollinginit。"
Staineshurriedhome，andtoldhiswife。Sheclungtohimconvulsively，andweptbitterly；butshemadenodirectattempttoshakehisresolution；shesaw，byhisironlook，thatshecouldonlyafflict，notturnhim。
NextdaycameLadyCicelytoseeher。LadyCicelywasveryuneasyinhermind，andwantedtoknowwhetherRosawasreconciledtotheseparation。
Rosareceivedherwithaforcedpolitenessandanicycoldnessthatpetrifiedher。Shecouldnotstaylonginfaceofsuchareception。Atparting，shesaid，sadly，"Youlookonmeasanenemy。"
"Whatelsecanyouexpect，whenyoupartmyhusbandandme?"saidRosa，withquietsternness。
"Imeantwell，"saidLadyCicelysorrowfully；"butIwishIhadneverinterfered。"
"SodoI，"andshebegantocry。
LadyCicelymadenoanswer。Shewentquietlyaway，hangingherheadsadly。
Rosawasunjust，butshewasnotrudenorvulgar；andLadyCicely"stemperwassowellgovernedthatitneverblindedherheart。Shewithdrew，butwithouttheleastideaofquarrellingwithherafflictedfriend，orabandoningher。Shewentquietlyhome，andwrotetoLady——，tosaythatsheshouldbegladtoreceiveDr。
Staines"sadvanceassoonasconvenient，sinceMrs。Staineswouldhavetomakefresharrangements，andthemoneymightbeuseful。
Themoneywasforthcomingdirectly。LadyCicelybroughtittoDearStreet，andhandedittoDr。Staines。Hiseyessparkledatthesightofit。
"GivemylovetoRosa，"saidshesoftly，andcuthervisitveryshort。
StainestookthemoneytoRosa，andsaid，"Seewhatourbestfriendhasbroughtus。Youshallhavefourhundred，andIhope，afterthebitterlessonsyouhavehad，youwillbeabletodowiththatforsomemonths。ThetwohundredIshallkeepasareservefundforyoutodrawon。"
"No，no!"saidRosa。"Ishallgoandlivewithmyfather，andneverspendapenny。OChristie，ifyouknewhowIhatemyselfforthefollythatispartingus!Oh，whydon"ttheyteachgirlssenseandmoney，insteadofmusicandtheglobes?"
ButChristopheropenedabankingaccountforher，andgaveheracheck-book，andentreatedhertopayeverythingbycheck，andrunnobillswhatever；andshepromised。HealsoadvertisedtheBijou，andputabillinthewindow:"Theleaseofthishouse，andthefurniture，tobesold。"
Rosacriedbitterlyatsightofit，thinkinghowhighinhopetheywere，whentheyhadtheirfirstdinnerthere，andalsowhenshewenttoherfirstsaletobuythefurniturecheap。
Andnoweverythingmovedwithterriblerapidity。TheAmphitritewastosailfromPlymouthinfivedays；and，meantime，therewassomuchtobedone，thatthedaysseemedtogallopaway。
Dr。Stainesforgotnothing。Hemadehiswillinduplicate，leavingalltohiswife；heleftonecopyatDoctors"Commonsandanotherwithhislawyer；inventoriedallhisfurnitureandeffectsinduplicate，too；wrotetoUnclePhilip，andthencalledonhimtoseekareconciliation。Unfortunately，Dr。PhilipwasinScotland。
AtlastthissadpairwentdowntoPlymouthtogether，theretomeetLordTadcasterandgoonboardH。M。S。Amphitrite，lyingoutatanchor，underordersfortheAustralianStation。
Theymetattheinn，asappointed；andsentwordoftheirarrivalonboardthefrigate，askingtoremainonshoretillthelastminute。
Dr。StainespresentedhispatienttoRosa；andafteralittlewhiledrewhimapartandquestionedhimprofessionally。Hethenaskedforaprivateroom。HereheandRosareallytookleave；forwhatcouldthepoorthingssaytoeachotheronacrowdedquay?Hebeggedherforgiveness，onhisknees，forhavingoncespokenharshlytoher，andshetoldhim，withpassionatesobs，hehadneverspokenharshlytoher；herfollyitwashadpartedthem。
Poorwretches!theyclungtogetherwithathousandvowsofloveandconstancy。Theyweretoprayforeachotheratthesamehours:tothinkofsomekindwordorlovingact，atotherstatedhours；andsotheytriedtofightwiththeirsufferingmindsagainstthecruelseparation；andifeithershoulddie，theotherwastoliveweddedtomemory，andneverlistentolovefromotherlips；butno!Godwaspitiful；Hewouldletthemmeetagainerelong，topartnomore。Theyrockedineachother"sarms；theycriedovereachother——itwaspitiful。