第10章
"Ididn’taskher，Chris;Ididn’tthinkitthesquarething;itseemsthat’soutoffashion！"
Christian’scheekswereburning。
"IthinkalotwhileIliehere，"Mr。Treffrywenton;"nothingmuchelsetodo。WhatIaskmyselfisthis:Whatdoyouknowaboutwhat’sbestforyou？Whatdoyouknowoflife？Takeitorleaveit，life’snotallyouthink;it’sgiveandgetalltheway，afairstartiseverything。"
Christianthought:’Willheneversee？’
Mr。Treffrywenton:
"Igetbettereveryday，butIcan’tlastforever。It’snotpleasanttoliehereandknowthatwhenI’mgonethere’llbenoonetokeepahandonthecheckstring！"
"Don’ttalklikethat，dear！"Christianmurmured。
"It’snouseblinkingfacts，Chris。I’velivedalongtimeintheworld;I’veseenthingsprettywellastheyare;andnowthere’snotmuchleftformetothinkaboutbutyou。"
"But，Uncle，ifyoulovedhim，asIdo，youcouldn’ttellmetobeafraid！It’scowardlyandmeantobeafraid。Youmusthaveforgotten！"
Mr。Treffryclosedhiseyes。
"Yes，"hesaid;"I’mold。"
ThefanhaddroppedintoChristian’slap;itrestedonherwhitefrocklikealargecrimsonleaf;hereyeswerefixedonit。
Mr。Treffrylookedather。"Haveyouheardfromhim？"heaskedwithsuddenintuition。
"Lastnight，inthatroom，whenyouthoughtIwastalkingtoDominique——"
Thepipefellfromhishand。
"What！"hestammered:"Back？"
Christian，withoutlookingup，said:
"Yes，he’sback;hewantsme——Imustgotohim，Uncle。"
Therewasalongsilence。
"Youmustgotohim？"herepeated。
Shelongedtoflingherselfdownathisknees，buthewassostill，thattomoveseemedimpossible;sheremainedsilent，withfoldedhands。
Mr。Treffryspoke:
"You’llletmeknow——before——you——go。Goodnight！"
Christianstoleoutintothepassage。Abeadcurtainrustledinthedraught;voicesreachedher。
"Myhonourisinvolved，orIwouldgivethecaseup。"
"Heisverytrying，poorNicholas！Healwayshadthatpeculiarqualityofopposition;ithasbroughthimtogriefahundredtimes。
Thereisoppositioninourblood;myfamilyallhaveit。Myeldestbrotherdiedofit;withmypoorsister，whowasasgentleasalamb，ittooktheformofdoingtherightthinginthewrongplace。Itisamatteroftemperament，yousee。Youmusthavepatience。"
"Patience，"repeatedDawney’svoice，"isonething;patiencewherethereisresponsibilityisanother。I’venothadawinkofsleeptheselasttwonights。"
Therewasafaint，shrillswishofsilk。
"Ishesoveryill？"
Christianheldherbreath。Theanswercameatlast。
"Hashemadehiswill？Withthistroubleinthesideagain，Itellyouplainly，Mrs。Decie，there’slittleornochance。"
Christianputherhandsuptoherears，andranoutintotheair。
Whatwassheabouttodo，then——toleavehimdying！
OnthefollowingdayHarzwassummonedtotheVilla。Mr。Treffryhadjustrisen，andwasgarbedinadressing—suit，oldandworn，whichhadacertainairofmagnificence。Hisseamedcheekswerenewlyshaved。
"IhopeIseeyouwell，"hesaidmajestically。
Thinkingofthedriveandtheirlastparting，Harzfeltsorryandashamed。SuddenlyChristiancameintotheroom;shestoodforamomentlookingathim;thensatdown。
"Chris！"saidMr。Treffryreproachfully。Sheshookherhead，anddidnotmove;mournfulandintent，hereyesseemedfullofsecretknowledge。
Mr。Treffryspoke:
"I’venorighttoblameyou，Mr。Harz，andChristellsmeyoucametoseemefirst，whichiswhatIwouldhaveexpectedofyou;butyoushouldn’thavecomeback。"
"Icameback，sir，becauseIfoundIwasobliged。Imustspeakout。"
"Iasknothingbetter，"Mr。Treffryreplied。
HarzlookedagainatChristian;butshemadenosign，sittingwithherchinrestingonherhands。
"Ihavecomeforher，"hesaid;"Icanmakemyliving——enoughforbothofus。ButIcan’twait。"
"Why？"
Harzmadenoanswer。
Mr。Treffryboomedoutagain:"Why？Isn’tsheworthwaitingfor？
Isn’tsheworthservingfor？"
"Ican’texpectyoutounderstandme，"thepaintersaid。"Myartismylifetome。Doyousupposethatifitwasn’tIshouldeverhaveleftmyvillage;orgonethroughallthatI’vegonethrough，togetasfarevenasIam？Youtellmetowait。Ifmythoughtsandmywillaren’tfree，howcanIwork？Ishan’tbeworthmysalt。YoutellmetogobacktoEngland——knowingsheishere，amongstyouwhohateme，athousandmilesaway。Ishallknowthatthere’sadeathfightgoingoninherandoutsideheragainstme——youthinkthatI
cangoonworkingundertheseconditions。Othersmaybeable，Iamnot。That’stheplaintruth。IfIlovedherless——"
Therewasasilence，thenMr。Treffrysaid:
"Itisn’tfairtocomehereandaskwhatyou’reasking。Youdon’tknowwhat’sinthefutureforyou，youdon’tknowthatyoucankeepawife。Itisn’tpleasant，either，tothinkyoucan’tholdupyourheadinyourowncountry。"
Harzturnedwhite。
"Ah！youbringthatupagain！"hebrokeout。"SevenyearsagoIwasaboyandstarving;ifyouhadbeeninmyplaceyouwouldhavedonewhatIdid。Mycountryisasmuchtomeasyourcountryistoyou。
I’vebeenanexilesevenyears，IsupposeIshallalwaysbeI’vehadpunishmentenough;butifyouthinkIamarascal，I’llgoandgivemyselfup。"Heturnedonhisheel。
"Stop！Ibegyourpardon！Inevermeanttohurtyou。Itisn’teasyformetoeatmywords，"Mr。Treffrysaidwistfully，"letthatcountforsomething。"Heheldouthishand。
Harzcamequicklybackandtookit。Christian’sgazewasneverforamomentwithdrawn;sheseemedtryingtostoreupthesightofhimwithinher。Thelightdartingthroughthehalf—closedshuttersgavehereyesastrange，brightintensity，andshoneinthefoldsofherwhitedresslikethesheenofbirds’wings。
Mr。Treffryglanceduneasilyabouthim。"GodknowsIdon’twantanythingbutherhappiness，"hesaid。"Whatisittomeifyou’dmurderedyourmother？It’sherI’mthinkingof。"
"Howcanyoutellwhatishappinesstoher？Youhaveyourownideasofhappiness——nothers，notmine。Youcan’tdaretostopus，sir！"
"Dare？"saidMr。Treffry。"Herfathergaveherovertomewhenshewasamiteofalittlething;I’veknownherallherlife。I’ve——
I’velovedher——andyoucomeherewithyour’dare’！"Hishanddraggedathisbeard，andshookasthoughpalsied。
AlookofterrorcameintoChristian’sface。
"Allright，Chris！Idon’taskforquarter，andIdon’tgiveit！"
Harzmadeagestureofdespair。
"I’veactedsquarelybyyou，sir，"Mr。Treffrywenton，"Iaskthesameofyou。Iaskyoutowait，andcomelikeanhonestman，whenyoucansay，’Iseemyway——here’sthisandthatforher。’Whatmakesthisartyoutalkofdifferentfromanyothercallinlife？Itdoesn’talterfacts，orgiveyouwhatothermenhavenorighttoexpect。Itdoesn’tputgritintoyou，orkeepyourhandsclean，orprovethattwoandtwomakefive。"
Harzansweredbitterly:
"YouknowasmuchofartasIknowofmoney。Ifweliveathousandyearsweshallneverunderstandeachother。IamdoingwhatIfeelisbestforbothofus。"
Mr。Treffrytookholdofthepainter’ssleeve。
"Imakeyouanoffer，"hesaid。"Yourwordnottoseeorwritetoherforayear！Then，positionornot，moneyornomoney，ifshe’llhaveyou，I’llmakeitrightforyou。"
"Icouldnottakeyourmoney。"
AkindofdespairseemedsuddenlytoseizeonMr。NicholasTreffry。
Herose，andstoodtoweringoverthem。
"Allmylife——"hesaid;butsomethingseemedtoclickdeepdowninhisthroat，andhesankbackinhisseat。
"Go！"whisperedChristian，"go！"ButMr。Treffryfoundhisvoiceagain:"It’sforthechildtosay。Well，Chris！"
Christiandidnotspeak。
ItwasHarzwhobrokethesilence。HepointedtoMr。Treffry。
"YouknowIcan’ttellyoutocomewith——that，there。Whydidyousendforme？"And，turning，hewentout。
Christiansankonherknees，buryingherfaceinherhands。Mr。
Treffrypressedhishandkerchiefwithastealthymovementtohismouth。Itwasdyedcrimsonwiththepriceofhisvictory。
XXVI
AtelegramhadsummonedHerrPaulfromVienna。Hehadstartedforthwith，leavingseveralunpaidaccountstoamorejoyfulopportunity，amongstthemachemist’sbill，forawonderfulquackmedicineofwhichhebroughtsixbottles。
HecamefromMr。Treffry’sroomwithtearsrollingdownhischeeks，saying:
"PoorNicholas！PoorNicholas！Iln’apasdechance！"
Itwasdifficulttofindanyonetolisten;thewomenwerescaredandsilent，waitingfortheordersthatwerenowandthenwhisperedthroughthedoor。HerrPaulcouldnotbearthissilence，andtalkedtohisservantforhalfanhour，tillFritzalsovanishedtofetchsomethingfromthetown。ThenindespairHerrPaulwenttohisroom。
Itwashardnottobeallowedtohelp——itwashardtowait！Whentheheartwassuffering，itwasfrightful！Heturnedand，lookingfurtivelyabouthim，lightedacigar。Yes，itcametoeveryone——atsometimeorother;andwhatwasit，thatdeaththeytalkedof？Wasitanyworsethanlife？Thatfrightfuljumblepeoplemadeforthemselves！PoorNicholas！Afterall，itwashethathadtheluck！
Hiseyesfilledwithtears，anddrawingapenknifefromhispocket，hebegantostabitintothestuffingofhischair。Scruff，whosatwatchingthechinkoflightunderthedoor，turnedhishead，blinkedathim，andbeganfeeblytappingwithaclaw。
Itwasintolerable，thisuncertainty——tobenear，andyetsofar，wasnotendurable！
HerrPaulsteppedacrosstheroom。Thedog，following，threwhisblack—markedmuzzleupwardswithagruffnoise，andwentbacktothedoor。Hismasterwasholdinginhishandabottleofchampagne。
PoorNicholas！Hehadchosenit。HerrPauldrainedaglass。
PoorNicholas！Theprinceoffellows，andofwhatusewasone？TheykepthimawayfromNicholas！
HerrPaul’seyesfellontheterrier。"Ach！mydear，"hesaid，"youandI，wealonearekeptaway！"
Hedrainedasecondglass。
Whatwasit？Thislife！Froth—likethat！Hetossedoffathirdglass。Forget！Ifonecouldnothelp，itwasbettertoforget！
Heputonhishat。Yes。Therewasnoroomforhimthere！Hewasnotwanted！
Hefinishedthebottle，andwentoutintothepassage。ScruffranandlaydownatMr。Treffry’sdoor。HerrPaullookedathim。"Ach！"
hesaid，tappinghischest，"ungratefulhound！"Andopeningthefrontdoorhewentoutontiptoe……
LatethatafternoonGretastolehatlessthroughthelilacbushes;shelookedtiredafterhernightjourney，andsatidlyonachairinthespeckledshadowofalime—tree。
’Itisnotlikehome，’shethought;’Iamunhappy。Eventhebirdsaresilent，butperhapsthatisbecauseitissohot。Ihaveneverbeensadlikethis——foritisnotfancythatIamsadthistime，asitissometimes。Itisinmyheartlikethesoundthewindmakesthroughawood，itfeelsquiteemptyinmyheart。Ifitisalwayslikethistobeunhappy，thenIamsorryforalltheunhappythingsintheworld;IamsorrierthanIeverwasbefore。’
Ashadowfellonthegrass，sheraisedhereyes，andsawDawney。
"Dr。Edmund！"shewhispered。
Dawneyturnedtoher;aheavyfurrowshowedbetweenhisbrows。Hiseyes，alwaysratherclosetogether，staredpainfully。
"Dr。Edmund，"Gretawhispered，"isittrue？"
Hetookherhand，andspreadhisownpalmoverit。
"Perhaps，"hesaid;"perhapsnot。Wemusthope。"
Gretalookedup，awed。
"Theysayheisdying。"
"WehavesentforthebestmaninVienna。"
Gretashookherhead。
"Butyouareclever，Dr。Edmund;andyouareafraid。"
"Heisbrave，"saidDawney;"wemustallbebrave，youknow。Youtoo！"
"Brave？"repeatedGreta;"whatisittobebrave？Ifitisnottocryandmakeafuss——thatIcando。Butifitisnottobesadinhere，"shetouchedherbreast，"thatIcannotdo，anditshallnotbeanygoodformetotry。"
"Tobebraveistohope;don’tgiveuphope，dear。"
"No，"saidGreta，tracingthepatternofthesunlightonherskirt。
"ButIthinkthatwhenwehope，wearenotbrave，becauseweareexpectingsomethingforourselves。Chrissaysthathopeisprayer，andifitisprayer，thenallthetimewearehoping，weareaskingforsomething，anditisnotbravetoaskforthings。"
AsmilecurvedDawney’smouth。
"Goon，Philosopher！"hesaid。"Bebraveinyourownway，itwillbejustasgoodasanybodyelse’s。"
"Whatareyougoingtodotobebrave，Dr。Edmund？"
"I？Fight！Ifonlywehadfiveyearsoffhislife！"
Gretawatchedhimashewalkedaway。
"Ishallneverbebrave，"shemourned;"Ishallalwaysbewantingtobehappy。"And，kneelingdown，shebegantodisentangleafly，imprisonedinacobweb。Aplantofhemlockhadsprungupinthelonggrassbyherfeet。Gretathought，dismayed:’Thereareweeds！’
Itseemedbutanothersignofthedeathofjoy。
’Butit’sverybeautiful，’shethought，’theblossomsarelikestars。
Iamnotgoingtopullitup。Iwillleaveit;perhapsitwillspreadallthroughthegarden;andifitdoesIdonotcare，fornowthingsarenotliketheyusedtobeandIdonot，thinktheyevershallbeagain。’
XXVII
Thedayswentby;thoselong，hotdays，whentheheathazeswimsupabouttenoftheforenoon，and，asthesunsinkslevelwiththemountains，meltsintogoldenetherwhichsetstheworldquiveringwithsparkles。
Atthelightingofthestarsthosesparklesdie，vanishingonebyoneoffthehillsides;eveningcomesflyingdownthevalleys，andliferestsunderhercoolwings。Thenightfalls;andthehundredlittlevoicesofthenightarise。
Itwasneargrape—gathering，andintheheatthefightforNicholasTreffry’slifewenton，dayin，dayout，withgleamsofhopeandmomentsofdespair。Doctorscame，butafterthefirstherefusedtoseethem。
"No，"hesaidtoDawney——"throwingawaymoney。IfIpullthroughitwon’tbebecauseofthem。"
FordaystogetherhewouldallownoonebutDawney，Dominique，andthepaidnurseintheroom。
"Icanstanditbetter，"hesaidtoChristian，"whenIdon’tseeanyofyou;keepaway，oldgirl，andletmegetonwithit！"
Tohavebeenabletohelpwouldhaveeasedthetensionofhernerves，andtheachingofherheart。Athisownrequesttheyhadmovedhisbedintoacornersothathemightfacethewall。Therehewouldlieforhourstogether，notspeakingaword，excepttoaskfordrink。
SometimesChristiancreptinunnoticed，andsatwatching，withherarmstightlyfoldedacrossherbreast。Atnight，afterGretawasasleep，shewouldtossfromsidetoside，mutteringfeverishprayers。
Shespenthoursatherlittletableintheschoolroom，writingletterstoHarzthatwereneversent。Onceshewrotethesewords:"I
amthemostwickedofallcreatures——Ihaveevenwishedthathemaydie！"AfewminutesafterwardsMissNaylorfoundherwithherheadburiedonherarms。Christiansprangup;tearswerestreamingdownhercheeks。"Don’ttouchme！"shecried，andrushedaway。Later，shestoleintoheruncle’sroom，andsankdownonthefloorbesidethebed。Shesattheresilently，unnoticedalltheevening。Whennightcameshecouldhardlybepersuadedtoleavetheroom。
OnedayMr。TreffryexpressedawishtoseeHerrPaul;itwasalongwhilebeforethelattercouldsummoncouragetogoin。
"There’safewdozenoftheGordonsherryatmyChambers，inLondon，Paul，"Mr。Treffrysaid;"I’dbegladtothinkyouhad’em。Andmyman，Dominique，I’vemadehimallrightinmywill，butkeepyoureyeonhim;he’sagoodsortforaforeigner，andnochicken，butsoonerorlater，thewomen’llgetholdofhim。That’sallIhadtosay。
SendChristome。"
HerrPaulstoodbythebedsidespeechless。Suddenlyheblurtedout。
"Ah！mydear！Courage！Weareallmortal。Youwillgetwell！"Allthemorninghewalkedaboutquiteinconsolable。"Itwasfrightfultoseehim，youknow，frightful！Anironmancouldnothaveborneit。"
WhenChristiancametohim，Mr。Treffryraisedhimselfandlookedatheralongwhile。
Hiswistfulfacewaslikeanaccusation。Butthatveryafternoonthenewscamefromthesickroomthathewasbetter，havinghadnopainforseveralhours。
Everyonewentaboutwithsmileslurkingintheireyes，andreadytobreakforthataword。InthekitchenBarbiburstoutcrying，and，forgettingtotossthepan，spoiledaKaiser—Schmarnshewasmaking。
DominiquewasobserveddrainingaglassofChianti，andsolemnlycastingforththelastdropsinlibation。Anorderwasgivenforteatobetakenoutundertheacacias，whereitwasalwayscool;itwasfeltthatsomethinginthenatureofhighfestivalwasbeingheld。
EvenHerrPaulwaspresent;butChristiandidnotcome。Nobodyspokeofillness;tomentionitmightbreakthespell。
MissNaylor，whohadgoneintothehouse，cameback，saying:
"Thereisastrangemanstandingovertherebythecornerofthehouse。"
"Really！"askedMrs。Decie;"whatdoeshewant？"
MissNaylorreddened。"Ididnotaskhim。I——don’t——know——whetherheisquiterespectable。Hiscoatisbuttonedveryclose，andhe——
doesn’tseem——tohavea——collar。"
"Goandseewhathewants，dearchild，"Mrs。DeciesaidtoGreta。
"Idon’tknow——Ireallydonotknow——"beganMissNaylor;"hehasvery——high——boots，"butGretawasalreadyonherway，withhandsclaspedbehindher，anddemureeyestakinginthestranger’sfigure。
"Please？"shesaid，whenshewasclosetohim。
Thestrangertookhiscapoffwithajerk。
"Thishousehasnobells，"hesaidinanasalvoice;"ithasatendencytodiscourageone。"
"Yes，"saidGretagravely，"thereisabell，butitdoesnotringnow，becausemyuncleissoill。"
"Iamverysorrytohearthat。Idon’tknowthepeoplehere，butI
amverysorrytohearthat。
Iwouldbegladtospeakafewwordstoyoursister，ifitisyoursisterthatIwant。"
Andthestranger’sfacegrewveryred。
"Isit，"saidGreta，"thatyouareafriendofHerrHarz？Ifyouareafriendofhis，youwillpleasecomeandhavesometea，andwhileyouarehavingteaIwilllookforChris。"
Perspirationbedewedthestranger’sforehead。
"Tea？Excuseme！Idon’tdrinktea。"
"Thereisalsocoffee，"Gretasaid。
Thestranger’sprogresstowardsthearbourwassoslowthatGretaarrivedconsiderablybeforehim。
"ItisafriendofHerrHarz，"shewhispered;"hewilldrinkcoffee。
IamgoingtofindChris。"
"Greta！"gaspedMissNaylor。
Mrs。Decieputupherhand。
"Ah！"shesaid，"ifitisso，wemustbeverynicetohimforChristian’ssake。"
MissNaylor’sfacegrewsoft。—
"Ah，yes！"shesaid;"ofcourse。"
"Bah！"mutteredHerrPaul，"thatrecommences。’
"Paul！"murmuredMrs。Decie，"youlacktheelementsofwisdom。"
HerrPaulglaredattheapproachingstranger。
Mrs。Deciehadrisen，andsmilinglyheldoutherhand。
"Wearesogladtoknowyou;youareanartisttoo，perhaps？Itakeagreatinterestinart，andespeciallyinthatschoolwhichMr。Harzrepresents。"
Thestrangersmiled。
"Heisthegenuinearticle，ma’am，"hesaid。"Herepresentsnoschool，heisoneofthatkindwhosecorpsesmakeschools。"
"Ah！"murmuredMrs。Decie，"youareanAmerican。Thatissonice。
Dositdown！Myniecewillsoonbehere。"
Gretacamerunningback。
"Willyoucome，please？"shesaid。"Chrisisready。"
Gulpingdownhiscoffee，thestrangerincludedthemallinasinglebow，andfollowedher。
"Ach！"saidHerrPaul，"garcontreschic，celui—la！"
Christianwasstandingbyherlittletable。Thestrangerbegan。
"IamsendingMr。Harz’sthingstoEngland;therearesomepictureshere。Hewouldbegladtohavethem。"
Afloodofcrimsonsweptoverherface。
"IamsendingthemtoLondon，"thestrangerrepeated;"perhapsyoucouldgivethemtometo—day。"
"Theyareready;mysisterwillshowyou。"
Hereyesseemedtodartintohissoul，andtrytodragsomethingfromit。Thewordsrushedfromherlips"Isthereanymessageforme？"
Thestrangerregardedhercuriously。
"No，"hestammered，"no！Iguessnot。Heiswell……Iwish……"Hestopped;herwhitefaceseemedtoflashscorn，despair，andentreatyonhimallatonce。Andturning，shelefthimstandingthere。
XXVII
WhenChristianwentthateveningtoheruncle’sroomhewassittingupinbed，andatoncebegantotalk。"Chris，"hesaid，"Ican’tstandthisdyingbyinches。I’mgoingtotrywhatajourney’lldoforme。Iwanttogetbacktotheoldcountry。Thedoctor’spromised。There’sashotinthelockeryet！Ibelieveinthatyoungchap;he’sstucktomelikeaman……It’llbeyourbirthday，onTuesday，oldgirl，andyou’llbetwenty。Seventeenyearssinceyourfatherdied。You’vebeenalottome……Aparsoncameheretoday。
That’sabadsign。Thoughtithisduty！Verycivilofhim！
Iwouldn’tseehim，though。Ifthere’sanythinginwhattheytellyou，I’mnotgoingtosneakinatthistimeo’day。There’sonethingthat’sratherbadlyonmymind。ItookadvantageofMr。Harzwiththisdamnedpitifulnessofmine。You’vearighttolookatmeasI’veseenyousometimeswhenyouthoughtIwasasleep。IfI
hadn’tbeenillhe’dneverhaveleftyou。Idon’tblameyou，Chris——
notI！Youloveme？Iknowthat，mydear。Butone’salonewhenitcomestotherun—in。Don’tcry！Ourmindsaren’tSunday—schoolbooks;you’refindingitout，that’sall！"Hesighedandturnedaway。