第10章
suggestedshehadbetterdosoatonce，andthentherewouldbenofurthertroubleeitherwithrememberingorforgetting。Shecomplied，onconditionthatIwouldnotthinkofreading，orbotheringwiththebooksnow；forshewantedtoshowmethegardens，andtakeawalkintheparkwithme，beforeitbecametoohotforenjoyment；which，indeed，wasnearlythecasealready。
OfcourseIreadilyassented；andwetookourwalkaccordingly。
Aswewerestrollinginthepark，talkingofwhatmycompanionhadseenandheardduringhertravellingexperience，agentlemanonhorsebackrodeupandpassedus。Asheturned，inpassing，andstaredmefullintheface，Ihadagoodopportunityofseeingwhathewaslike。Hewastall，thin，andwasted，withaslightstoopintheshoulders，apaleface，butsomewhatblotchy，anddisagreeablyredabouttheeyelids，plainfeatures，andageneralappearanceoflanguorandflatness，relievedbyasinisterexpressioninthemouthandthedull，soullesseyes。
"Idetestthatman!"whisperedLadyAshby，withbitteremphasis，asheslowlytrottedby。
"Whoisit？"Iasked，unwillingtosupposethatsheshouldsospeakofherhusband。
"SirThomasAshby，"shereplied，withdrearycomposure。
"AnddoyouDETESThim，MissMurray？"saidI，forIwastoomuchshockedtorememberhernameatthemoment。
"Yes，Ido，MissGrey，anddespisehimtoo；andifyouknewhimyouwouldnotblameme。"
"Butyouknewwhathewasbeforeyoumarriedhim。"
"No；Ionlythoughtso:Ididnothalfknowhimreally。
Iknowyouwarnedmeagainstit，andIwishIhadlistenedtoyou:butit"stoolatetoregretthatnow。Andbesides，mammaoughttohaveknownbetterthaneitherofus，andsheneversaidanythingagainstit-quitethecontrary。AndthenIthoughtheadoredme，andwouldletmehavemyownway:hedidpretendtodosoatfirst，butnowhedoesnotcareabitaboutme。YetIshouldnotcareforthat:hemightdoashepleased，ifImightonlybefreetoamusemyselfandtostayinLondon，orhaveafewfriendsdownhere:
butHEWILLdoashepleases，andImustbeaprisonerandaslave。
ThemomenthesawIcouldenjoymyselfwithouthim，andthatothersknewmyvaluebetterthanhimself，theselfishwretchbegantoaccusemeofcoquetryandextravagance；andtoabuseHarryMeltham，whoseshoeshewasnotworthytoclean。Andthenhemustneedshavemedowninthecountry，toleadthelifeofanun，lestI
shoulddishonourhimorbringhimtoruin；asifhehadnotbeententimesworseeveryway，withhisbetting-book，andhisgaming-
table，andhisopera-girls，andhisLadyThisandMrs。That-yes，andhisbottlesofwine，andglassesofbrandy-and-watertoo!
Oh，IwouldgivetenthousandworldstobeMssMurrayagain!ItisTOO
badtofeellife，health，andbeautywastingaway，unfeltandunenjoyed，forsuchabruteasthat!"exclaimedshe，fairlyburstingintotearsinthebitternessofhervexation。
Ofcourse，Ipitiedherexceedingly；aswellforherfalseideaofhappinessanddisregardofduty，asforthewretchedpartnerwithwhomherfatewaslinked。IsaidwhatIcouldtocomforther，andofferedsuchcounselsasIthoughtshemostrequired:advisingher，first，bygentlereasoning，bykindness，example，andpersuasion，totrytoameliorateherhusband；andthen，whenshehaddoneallshecould，ifshestillfoundhimincorrigible，toendeavourtoabstractherselffromhim-towrapherselfupinherownintegrity，andtroubleherselfaslittleabouthimaspossible。
IexhortedhertoseekconsolationindoingherdutytoGodandman，toputhertrustinHeaven，andsolaceherselfwiththecareandnurtureofherlittledaughter；assuringhershewouldbeamplyrewardedbywitnessingitsprogressinstrengthandwisdom，andreceivingitsgenuineaffection。
"ButIcan"tdevotemyselfentirelytoachild，"saidshe；"itmaydie-whichisnotatallimprobable。"
"But，withcare，manyadelicateinfanthasbecomeastrongmanorwoman。"
"ButitmaygrowsointolerablylikeitsfatherthatIshallhateit。"
"Thatisnotlikely；itisalittlegirl，andstronglyresemblesitsmother。"
"Nomatter；Ishouldlikeitbetterifitwereaboy-onlythatitsfatherwillleaveitnoinheritancethathecanpossiblysquanderaway。WhatpleasurecanIhaveinseeingagirlgrowuptoeclipseme，andenjoythosepleasuresthatIamforeverdebarredfrom？ButsupposingIcouldbesogenerousastotakedelightinthis，stillitisONLYachild；andIcan"tcentreallmyhopesinachild:thatisonlyonedegreebetterthandevotingoneselftoadog。Andasforallthewisdomandgoodnessyouhavebeentryingtoinstilintome-thatisallveryrightandproper，Idaresay，andifIweresometwentyyearsolder，Imightfructifybyit:butpeoplemustenjoythemselveswhentheyareyoung；andifotherswon"tletthem-why，theymusthatethemforit!"
"Thebestwaytoenjoyyourselfistodowhatisrightandhatenobody。TheendofReligionisnottoteachushowtodie，buthowtolive；andtheearlieryoubecomewiseandgood，themoreofhappinessyousecure。Andnow，LadyAshby，Ihaveonemorepieceofadvicetoofferyou，whichis，thatyouwillnotmakeanenemyofyourmother-in-law。Don"tgetintothewayofholdingheratarms"length，andregardingherwithjealousdistrust。Ineversawher，butIhaveheardgoodaswellasevilrespectingher；andI
imaginethat，thoughcoldandhaughtyinhergeneraldemeanour，andevenexactinginherrequirements，shehasstrongaffectionsforthosewhocanreachthem；and，thoughsoblindlyattachedtoherson，sheisnotwithoutgoodprinciples，orincapableofhearingreason。Ifyouwouldbutconciliateheralittle，andadoptafriendly，openmanner-andevenconfideyourgrievancestoher-
realgrievances，suchasyouhavearighttocomplainof-itismyfirmbeliefthatshewould，intime，becomeyourfaithfulfriend，andacomfortandsupporttoyou，insteadoftheincubusyoudescribeher。"ButIfearmyadvicehadlittleeffectupontheunfortunateyounglady；and，findingIcouldrendermyselfsolittleserviceable，myresidenceatAshbyParkbecamedoublypainful。Butstill，Imuststayoutthatdayandthefollowingone，asIhadpromisedtodoso:though，resistingallentreatiesandinducementstoprolongmyvisitfurther，Iinsistedupondepartingthenextmorning；affirmingthatmymotherwouldbelonelywithoutme，andthatsheimpatientlyexpectedmyreturn。
Nevertheless，itwaswithaheavyheartthatIbadeadieutopoorLadyAshby，andleftherinherprincelyhome。Itwasnoslightadditionalproofofherunhappiness，thatsheshouldsoclingtotheconsolationofmypresence，andearnestlydesirethecompanyofonewhosegeneraltastesandideasweresolittlecongenialtoherown-whomshehadcompletelyforgotteninherhourofprosperity，andwhosepresencewouldberatheranuisancethanapleasure，ifshecouldbuthavehalfherheart"sdesire。
chapter24
CHAPTERXXIV-THESANDS
OURschoolwasnotsituatedintheheartofthetown:onenteringA-fromthenorth-westthereisarowofrespectable-lookinghouses，oneachsideofthebroad，whiteroad，withnarrowslipsofgarden-groundbeforethem，Venetianblindstothewindows，andaflightofstepsleadingtoeachtrim，brass-handleddoor。InoneofthelargestofthesehabitationsdweltmymotherandI，withsuchyoungladiesasourfriendsandthepublicchosetocommittoourcharge。Consequently，wewereaconsiderabledistancefromthesea，anddividedfromitbyalabyrinthofstreetsandhouses。
Buttheseawasmydelight；andIwouldoftengladlypiercethetowntoobtainthepleasureofawalkbesideit，whetherwiththepupils，oralonewithmymotherduringthevacations。Itwasdelightfultomeatalltimesandseasons，butespeciallyinthewildcommotionofaroughsea-breeze，andinthebrilliantfreshnessofasummermorning。
IawokeearlyonthethirdmorningaftermyreturnfromAshbyPark-thesunwasshiningthroughtheblind，andIthoughthowpleasantitwouldbetopassthroughthequiettownandtakeasolitaryrambleonthesandswhilehalftheworldwasinbed。Iwasnotlonginformingtheresolution，norslowtoactuponit。OfcourseIwouldnotdisturbmymother，soIstolenoiselesslydownstairs，andquietlyunfastenedthedoor。Iwasdressedandout，whenthechurchclockstruckaquartertosix。Therewasafeelingoffreshnessandvigourintheverystreets；andwhenIgotfreeofthetown，whenmyfootwasonthesandsandmyfacetowardsthebroad，brightbay，nolanguagecandescribetheeffectofthedeep，clearazureoftheskyandocean，thebrightmorningsunshineonthesemicircularbarrierofcraggycliffssurmountedbygreenswellinghills，andonthesmooth，widesands，andthelowrocksoutatsea-looking，withtheirclothingofweedsandmoss，likelittlegrass-grownislands-andaboveall，onthebrilliant，sparklingwaves。Andthen，theunspeakablepurity-andfreshnessoftheair!Therewasjustenoughheattoenhancethevalueofthebreeze，andjustenoughwindtokeepthewholeseainmotion，tomakethewavescomeboundingtotheshore，foamingandsparkling，asifwildwithglee。Nothingelsewasstirring-nolivingcreaturewasvisiblebesidesmyself。Myfootstepswerethefirsttopressthefirm，unbrokensands；-nothingbeforehadtrampledthemsincelastnight"sflowingtidehadobliteratedthedeepestmarksofyesterday，andleftthemfairandeven，exceptwherethesubsidingwaterhadleftbehinditthetracesofdimpledpoolsandlittlerunningstreams。
Refreshed，delighted，invigorated，Iwalkedalong，forgettingallmycares，feelingasifIhadwingstomyfeet，andcouldgoatleastfortymileswithoutfatigue，andexperiencingasenseofexhilarationtowhichIhadbeenanentirestrangersincethedaysofearlyyouth。Abouthalf-pastsix，however，thegroomsbegantocomedowntoairtheirmasters"horses-firstone，andthenanother，tillthereweresomedozenhorsesandfiveorsixriders:
butthatneednottroubleme，fortheywouldnotcomeasfarasthelowrockswhichIwasnowapproaching。WhenIhadreachedthese，andwalkedoverthemoist，slipperysea-weed(attheriskofflounderingintooneofthenumerouspoolsofclear，saltwaterthatlaybetweenthem)，toalittlemossypromontorywiththeseasplashingroundit，Ilookedbackagaintoseewhonextwasstirring。Still，therewereonlytheearlygroomswiththeirhorses，andonegentlemanwithalittledarkspeckofadogrunningbeforehim，andonewater-cartcomingoutofthetowntogetwaterforthebaths。Inanotherminuteortwo，thedistantbathingmachineswouldbegintomove，andthentheelderlygentlemenofregularhabitsandsoberquakerladieswouldbecomingtotaketheirsalutarymorningwalks。Buthoweverinterestingsuchascenemightbe，Icouldnotwaittowitnessit，forthesunandtheseasodazzledmyeyesinthatdirection，thatIcouldbutaffordoneglance；andthenIturnedagaintodelightmyselfwiththesightandthesoundofthesea，dashingagainstmypromontory-withnoprodigiousforce，fortheswellwasbrokenbythetangledsea-weedandtheunseenrocksbeneath；otherwiseIshouldsoonhavebeendelugedwithspray。Butthetidewascomingin；thewaterwasrising；thegulfsandlakeswerefilling；thestraitswerewidening:itwastimetoseeksomesaferfooting；soIwalked，skipped，andstumbledbacktothesmooth，widesands，andresolvedtoproceedtoacertainboldprojectioninthecliffs，andthenreturn。
Presently，Iheardasnufflingsoundbehindmeandthenadogcamefriskingandwrigglingtomyfeet。ItwasmyownSnap-thelittledark，wire-hairedterrier!WhenIspokehisname，heleaptupinmyfaceandyelledforjoy。Almostasmuchdelightedashimself，I
caughtthelittlecreatureinmyarms，andkissedhimrepeatedly。
Buthowcamehetobethere？Hecouldnothavedroppedfromthesky，orcomeallthatwayalone:itmustbeeitherhismaster，therat-catcher，orsomebodyelsethathadbroughthim；so，repressingmyextravagantcaresses，andendeavouringtorepresshislikewise，Ilookedround，andbeheld-Mr。Weston!
"Yourdogremembersyouwell，MissGrey，"saidhe，warmlygraspingthehandIofferedhimwithoutclearlyknowingwhatIwasabout。
"Youriseearly。"
"Notoftensoearlyasthis，"Ireplied，withamazingcomposure，consideringallthecircumstancesofthecase。
"Howfardoyoupurposetoextendyourwalk？"
"Iwasthinkingofreturning-itmustbealmosttime，Ithink。"
Heconsultedhiswatch-agoldonenow-andtoldmeitwasonlyfiveminutespastseven。
"But，doubtless，youhavehadalongenoughwalk，"saidhe，turningtowardsthetown，towhichInowproceededleisurelytoretracemysteps；andhewalkedbesideme。
"Inwhatpartofthetowndoyoulive？"askedhe。"Inevercoulddiscover。"
Nevercoulddiscover？Hadheendeavouredtodosothen？
Itoldhimtheplaceofourabode。Heaskedhowweprosperedinouraffairs。Itoldhimweweredoingverywell-thatwehadhadaconsiderableadditiontoourpupilsaftertheChristmasvacation，andexpectedastillfurtherincreaseatthecloseofthis。
"Youmustbeanaccomplishedinstructor，"heobserved。
"No，itismymother，"Ireplied；"shemanagesthingssowell，andissoactive，andclever，andkind。"
"Ishouldliketoknowyourmother。Willyouintroducemetohersometime，ifIcall？"
"Yes，willingly。"
"Andwillyouallowmetheprivilegeofanoldfriend，oflookinginuponyounowandthen？"
"Yes，if-Isupposeso。"
Thiswasaveryfoolishanswer，butthetruthwas，IconsideredthatIhadnorighttoinviteanyonetomymother"shousewithoutherknowledge；andifIhadsaid，"Yes，ifmymotherdoesnotobject，"itwouldappearasifbyhisquestionIunderstoodmorethanwasexpected；so，SUPPOSINGshewouldnot，Iadded，"Isupposeso:"butofcourseIshouldhavesaidsomethingmoresensibleandmorepolite，ifIhadhadmywitsaboutme。Wecontinuedourwalkforaminuteinsilence；which，however，wasshortlyrelieved(nosmallrelieftome)byMr。Westoncommentinguponthebrightnessofthemorningandthebeautyofthebay，andthenupontheadvantagesA-possessedovermanyotherfashionableplacesofresort。
"Youdon"taskwhatbringsmetoA-"saidhe。"Youcan"tsupposeI"mrichenoughtocomeformyownpleasure。"
"IheardyouhadleftHorton。"
"Youdidn"thear，then，thatIhadgotthelivingofF-？"
F-wasavillageabouttwomilesdistantfromA。
"No，"saidI；"welivesocompletelyoutoftheworld，evenhere，thatnewsseldomreachesmethroughanyquarter；exceptthroughthemediumofthe-GAZETTE。ButIhopeyoulikeyournewparish；
andthatImaycongratulateyouontheacquisition？"
"Iexpecttolikemyparishbetterayearortwohence，whenIhaveworkedcertainreformsIhavesetmyheartupon-or，atleast，progressedsomestepstowardssuchanachievement。Butyoumaycongratulatemenow；forIfinditveryagreeabletoHAVEaparishalltomyself，withnobodytointerferewithme-tothwartmyplansorcripplemyexertions:andbesides，Ihavearespectablehouseinaratherpleasantneighbourhood，andthreehundredpoundsayear；and，infact，Ihavenothingbutsolitudetocomplainof，andnothingbutacompaniontowishfor。"
Helookedatmeasheconcluded:andtheflashofhisdarkeyesseemedtosetmyfaceonfire；greatlytomyowndiscomfiture，fortoevinceconfusionatsuchajuncturewasintolerable。Imadeaneffort，therefore，toremedytheevil，anddisclaimallpersonalapplicationoftheremarkbyahasty，ill-expressedreply，totheeffectthat，ifhewaitedtillhewaswellknownintheneighbourhood，hemighthavenumerousopportunitiesforsupplyinghiswantamongtheresidentsofF-anditsvicinity，orthevisitorsofA-，ifherequiredsoampleachoice:notconsideringthecomplimentimpliedbysuchanassertion，tillhisanswermademeawareofit。
"Iamnotsopresumptuousastobelievethat，"saidhe，"thoughyoutellitme；butifitwereso，Iamratherparticularinmynotionsofacompanionforlife，andperhapsImightnotfindonetosuitmeamongtheladiesyoumention。"
"Ifyourequireperfection，youneverwill。"
"Idonot-Ihavenorighttorequireit，asbeingsofarfromperfectmyself。"
Heretheconversationwasinterruptedbyawater-cartlumberingpastus，forwewerenowcometothebusypartofthesands；and，forthenexteightortenminutes，betweencartsandhorses，andasses，andmen，therewaslittleroomforsocialintercourse，tillwehadturnedourbacksuponthesea，andbeguntoascendtheprecipitousroadleadingintothetown。Heremycompanionofferedmehisarm，whichIaccepted，thoughnotwiththeintentionofusingitasasupport。
"Youdon"toftencomeontothesands，Ithink，"saidhe，"forI
havewalkedtheremanytimes，bothmorningandevening，sinceI
came，andneverseenyoutillnow；andseveraltimes，inpassingthroughthetown，too，Ihavelookedaboutforyourschool-butI
didnotthinkofthe-Road；andonceortwiceImadeinquiries，butwithoutobtainingtherequisiteinformation。"
Whenwehadsurmountedtheacclivity，Iwasabouttowithdrawmyarmfromhis，butbyaslighttighteningoftheelbowwastacitlyinformedthatsuchwasnothiswill，andaccordinglydesisted。
Discoursingondifferentsubjects，weenteredthetown，andpassedthroughseveralstreets。Isawthathewasgoingoutofhiswaytoaccompanyme，notwithstandingthelongwalkthatwasyetbeforehim；and，fearingthathemightbeinconveniencinghimselffrommotivesofpoliteness，Iobserved-"IfearIamtakingyououtofyourway，Mr。Weston-IbelievetheroadtoF-liesquiteinanotherdirection。"
"I"llleaveyouattheendofthenextstreet，"saidhe。
"Andwhenwillyoucometoseemamma？"
"To-morrow-Godwilling。"
Theendofthenextstreetwasnearlytheconclusionofmyjourney。
Hestoppedthere，however，bidmegood-morning，andcalledSnap，whoseemedalittledoubtfulwhethertofollowhisoldmistressorhisnewmaster，buttrottedawayuponbeingsummonedbythelatter。
"Iwon"toffertorestorehimtoyou，MissGrey，"saidMr。Weston，smiling，"becauseIlikehim。"
"Oh，Idon"twanthim，"repliedI，"nowthathehasagoodmaster；
I"mquitesatisfied。"
"YoutakeitforgrantedthatIamagoodone，then？"
Themanandthedogdeparted，andIreturnedhome，fullofgratitudetoheavenforsomuchbliss，andprayingthatmyhopesmightnotagainbecrushed。
chapter25
CHAPTERXXV-CONCLUSION
"WELL，Agnes，youmustnottakesuchlongwalksagainbeforebreakfast，"saidmymother，observingthatIdrankanextracupofcoffeeandatenothing-pleadingtheheatoftheweather，andthefatigueofmylongwalkasanexcuse。Icertainlydidfeelfeverishandtiredtoo。
"Youalwaysdothingsbyextremes:now，ifyouhadtakenaSHORT
walkeverymorning，andwouldcontinuetodoso，itwoulddoyougood。"
"Well，mamma，Iwill。"
"Butthisisworsethanlyinginbedorbendingoveryourbooks:
youhavequiteputyourselfintoafever。"
"Iwon"tdoitagain，"saidI。
IwasrackingmybrainswiththinkinghowtotellheraboutMr。
Weston，forshemustknowhewascomingto-morrow。However，I
waitedtillthebreakfastthingswereremoved，andIwasmorecalmandcool；andthen，havingsatdowntomydrawing，Ibegan-"Imetanoldfriendonthesandsto-day，mamma。"
"Anoldfriend!Whocoulditbe？"
"Twooldfriends，indeed。Onewasadog；"andthenIremindedherofSnap，whosehistoryIhadrecountedbefore，andrelatedtheincidentofhissuddenappearanceandremarkablerecognition；"andtheother，"continuedI，"wasMr。Weston，thecurateofHorton。"
"Mr。Weston!Ineverheardofhimbefore。"
"Yes，youhave:I"vementionedhimseveraltimes，Ibelieve:
butyoudon"tremember。"
"I"veheardyouspeakofMr。Hatfield。"
"Mr。Hatfieldwastherector，andMr。Westonthecurate:IusedtomentionhimsometimesincontradistinctiontoMr。Hatfield，asbeingamoreefficientclergyman。However，hewasonthesandsthismorningwiththedog-hehadboughtit，Isuppose，fromtherat-catcher；andheknewmeaswellasitdid-probablythroughitsmeans:andIhadalittleconversationwithhim，inthecourseofwhich，asheaskedaboutourschool，Iwasledtosaysomethingaboutyou，andyourgoodmanagement；andhesaidheshouldliketoknowyou，andaskedifIwouldintroducehimtoyou，ifheshouldtakethelibertyofcallingto-morrow；soIsaidIwould。WasI
right？"
"Ofcourse。Whatkindofamanishe？"
"AveryRESPECTABLEman，Ithink:butyouwillseehimto-morrow。
HeisthenewvicarofF-，andashehasonlybeenthereafewweeks，Isupposehehasmadenofriendsyet，andwantsalittlesociety。"
Themorrowcame。WhatafeverofanxietyandexpectationIwasinfrombreakfasttillnoon-atwhichtimehemadehisappearance!
Havingintroducedhimtomymother，Itookmyworktothewindow，andsatdowntoawaittheresultoftheinterview。Theygotonextremelywelltogether-greatlytomysatisfaction，forIhadfeltveryanxiousaboutwhatmymotherwouldthinkofhim。Hedidnotstaylongthattime:butwhenherosetotakeleave，shesaidsheshouldbehappytoseehim，wheneverhemightfinditconvenienttocallagain；andwhenhewasgone，Iwasgratifiedbyhearinghersay，-"Well!Ithinkhe"saverysensibleman。
Butwhydidyousitbackthere，Agnes，"sheadded，"andtalksolittle？"
"Becauseyoutalkedsowell，mamma，Ithoughtyourequirednoassistancefromme:and，besides，hewasyourvisitor，notmine。"
Afterthat，heoftencalleduponus-severaltimesinthecourseofaweek。Hegenerallyaddressedmostofhisconversationtomymother:andnowonder，forshecouldconverse。Ialmostenviedtheunfettered，vigorousfluencyofherdiscourse，andthestrongsenseevincedbyeverythingshesaid-andyet，Ididnot；for，thoughIoccasionallyregrettedmyowndeficienciesforhissake，itgavemeverygreatpleasuretositandhearthetwobeingsI
lovedandhonouredaboveeveryoneelseintheworld，discoursingtogethersoamicably，sowisely，andsowell。Iwasnotalwayssilent，however；norwasIatallneglected。IwasquiteasmuchnoticedasIwouldwishtobe:therewasnolackofkindwordsandkinderlooks，noendofdelicateattentions，toofineandsubtletobegraspedbywords，andthereforeindescribable-butdeeplyfeltatheart。
Ceremonywasquicklydroppedbetweenus:Mr。Westoncameasanexpectedguest，welcomeatalltimes，andneverderangingtheeconomyofourhouseholdaffairs。Heevencalledme"Agnes:"thenamehadbeentimidlyspokenatfirst，but，findingitgavenooffenceinanyquarter，heseemedgreatlytopreferthatappellationto"MissGrey；"andsodidI。Howtediousandgloomywerethosedaysinwhichhedidnotcome!Andyetnotmiserable；
forIhadstilltheremembranceofthelastvisitandthehopeofthenexttocheerme。Butwhentwoorthreedayspassedwithoutmyseeinghim，Icertainlyfeltveryanxious-absurdly，unreasonablyso；for，ofcourse，hehadhisownbusinessandtheaffairsofhisparishtoattendto。AndIdreadedthecloseoftheholidays，whenMYbusinessalsowouldbegin，andIshouldbesometimesunabletoseehim，andsometimes-whenmymotherwasintheschoolroom-
obligedtobewithhimalone:apositionIdidnotatalldesire，inthehouse；thoughtomeethimoutofdoors，andwalkbesidehim，hadprovedbynomeansdisagreeable。
Oneevening，however，inthelastweekofthevacation，hearrived-unexpectedly:foraheavyandprotractedthunder-showerduringtheafternoonhadalmostdestroyedmyhopesofseeinghimthatday；
butnowthestormwasover，andthesunwasshiningbrightly。
"Abeautifulevening，Mrs。Grey!"saidhe，asheentered。"Agnes，Iwantyoutotakeawalkwithmeto-"(henamedacertainpartofthecoast-aboldhillonthelandside，andtowardstheseaasteepprecipice，fromthesummitofwhichagloriousviewistobehad)。"Therainhaslaidthedust，andcooledandclearedtheair，andtheprospectwillbemagnificent。Willyoucome？"
"CanIgo，mamma？"
"Yes；tobesure。"
Iwenttogetready，andwasdownagaininafewminutes；though，ofcourse，ItookalittlemorepainswithmyattirethanifIhadmerelybeengoingoutonsomeshoppingexpeditionalone。Thethunder-showerhadcertainlyhadamostbeneficialeffectupontheweather，andtheeveningwasmostdelightful。Mr。Westonwouldhavemetotakehisarm；hesaidlittleduringourpassagethroughthecrowdedstreets，butwalkedveryfast，andappearedgraveandabstracted。Iwonderedwhatwasthematter，andfeltanindefinitedreadthatsomethingunpleasantwasonhismind；andvaguesurmises，concerningwhatitmightbe，troubledmenotalittle，andmademegraveandsilentenough。Butthesefantasiesvanisheduponreachingthequietoutskirtsofthetown；forassoonaswecamewithinsightofthevenerableoldchurch，andthe-hill，withthedeepbluebeyondit，Ifoundmycompanionwascheerfulenough。
"I"mafraidI"vebeenwalkingtoofastforyou，Agnes，"saidhe:
"inmyimpatiencetoberidofthetown，Iforgottoconsultyourconvenience；butnowwe"llwalkasslowlyasyouplease。Isee，bythoselightcloudsinthewest，therewillbeabrilliantsunset，andweshallbeintimetowitnessitseffectuponthesea，atthemostmoderaterateofprogression。"
Whenwehadgotabouthalf-wayupthehill，wefellintosilenceagain；which，asusual，hewasthefirsttobreak。
"Myhouseisdesolateyet，MissGrey，"hesmilinglyobserved，"andIamacquaintednowwithalltheladiesinmyparish，andseveralinthistowntoo；andmanyothersIknowbysightandbyreport；
butnotoneofthemwillsuitmeforacompanion；infact，thereisonlyonepersonintheworldthatwill:andthatisyourself；
andIwanttoknowyourdecision？"
"Areyouinearnest，Mr。Weston？"
"Inearnest!HowcouldyouthinkIshouldjestonsuchasubject？"
Helaidhishandonmine，thatrestedonhisarm:hemusthavefeltittremble-butitwasnogreatmatternow。
"IhopeIhavenotbeentooprecipitate，"hesaid，inaserioustone。"Youmusthaveknownthatitwasnotmywaytoflatterandtalksoftnonsense，oreventospeaktheadmirationthatIfelt；
andthatasinglewordorglanceofminemeantmorethanthehoniedphrasesandferventprotestationsofmostothermen。"
Isaidsomethingaboutnotlikingtoleavemymother，anddoingnothingwithoutherconsent。
"IsettledeverythingwithMrs。Grey，whileyouwereputtingonyourbonnet，"repliedhe。"ShesaidImighthaveherconsent，ifI
couldobtainyours；andIaskedher，incaseIshouldbesohappy，tocomeandlivewithus-forIwassureyouwouldlikeitbetter。
Butsherefused，sayingshecouldnowaffordtoemployanassistant，andwouldcontinuetheschooltillshecouldpurchaseanannuitysufficienttomaintainherincomfortablelodgings；and，meantime，shewouldspendhervacationsalternatelywithusandyoursister，andshouldbequitecontentedifyouwerehappy。
AndsonowIhaveoverruledyourobjectionsonheraccount。Haveyouanyother？"
"No-none。"
"Youlovemethen？"saidbe，ferventlypressingmyhand。
"Yes。"
HereIpause。MyDiary，fromwhichIhavecompiledthesepages，goesbutlittlefurther。Icouldgoonforyears，butIwillcontentmyselfwithadding，thatIshallneverforgetthatglorioussummerevening，andalwaysrememberwithdelightthatsteephill，andtheedgeoftheprecipicewherewestoodtogether，watchingthesplendidsunsetmirroredintherestlessworldofwatersatourfeet-withheartsfilledwithgratitudetoheaven，andhappiness，andlove-almosttoofullforspeech。
Afewweeksafterthat，whenmymotherhadsuppliedherselfwithanassistant，IbecamethewifeofEdwardWeston；andneverhavefoundcausetorepentit，andamcertainthatInevershall。Wehavehadtrials，andweknowthatwemusthavethemagain；butwebearthemwelltogether，andendeavourtofortifyourselvesandeachotheragainstthefinalseparation-thatgreatestofallafflictionstothesurvivor。But，ifwekeepinmindthegloriousheavenbeyond，wherebothmaymeetagain，andsinandsorrowareunknown，surelythattoomaybeborne；and，meantime，weendeavourtolivetothegloryofHimwhohasscatteredsomanyblessingsinourpath。
Edward，byhisstrenuousexertions，hasworkedsurprisingreformsinhisparish，andisesteemedandlovedbyitsinhabitants-ashedeserves；forwhateverhisfaultsmaybeasaman(andnooneisentirelywithout)，Idefyanybodytoblamehimasapastor，ahusband，orafather。
Ourchildren，Edward，Agnes，andlittleMary，promisewell；theireducation，forthetimebeing，ischieflycommittedtome；andtheyshallwantnogoodthingthatamother"scarecangive。Ourmodestincomeisamplysufficientforourrequirements:andbypractisingtheeconomywelearntinhardertimes，andneverattemptingtoimitateourricherneighbours，wemanagenotonlytoenjoycomfortandcontentmentourselves，buttohaveeveryyearsomethingtolaybyforourchildren，andsomethingtogivetothosewhoneedit。
AndnowIthinkIhavesaidsufficient。