第2章

TheprimitivegovernmentwastheMatriarchate。TheMatriarchate！

TheLordsofCreationjustranaboutanddidwhattheyweretold。"

"Butisthatreallyso？"saidAnnVeronica。

"Ithasbeenproved，"saidMissMiniver，andadded，"byAmericanprofessors。"

"Buthowdidtheyproveit？"

"Byscience，"saidMissMiniver，andhurriedon，puttingoutarhetoricalhandthatshowedaslashoffingerthroughitsglove。

"Andnow，lookatus！Seewhatwehavebecome。Toys！Delicatetrifles！Asexofinvalids。Itiswewhohavebecometheparasitesandtoys。"

Itwas，AnnVeronicafelt，atonceabsurdandextraordinarilyright。Hetty，whohadperiodsoflucidexpression，putthethingforherfromherpillow。ShechargedboldlyintothespaceofMissMiniver’srhetoricalpause。

"Itisn’tquitethatwe’retoys。Nobodytoyswithme。NobodyregardsConstanceorVeeasadelicatetrifle。"

Teddymadesomeconfusednoise，athoracicstreetrow；someremarkwasassassinatedbyarivalinhisthroatandburiedhastilyunderacough。

"They’dbetternot，"saidHetty。"Thepointiswe’renottoys，toysisn’ttheword；we’relitter。We’rehandfuls。We’reregardedasinflammablelitterthatmustn’tbeleftabout。Wearethespecies，andmaternityisourgame；that’sallright，butnobodywantsthatadmittedforfearweshouldallcatchfire，andsetaboutfulfillingthepurposeofourbeingswithoutwaitingforfurtherexplanations。Asifwedidn’tknow！Thepracticaltroubleisourages。Theyusedtomarryusoffatseventeen，rushusintothingsbeforewehadtimetoprotest。Theydon’tnow。Heavenknowswhy！Theydon’tmarrymostofusoffnowuntilhighupinthetwenties。Andtheagegetshigher。Wehavetohangaboutintheinterval。There’sagreatgulfopened，andnobody’sgotanyplanswhattodowithus。Sotheworldischokedwithwasteandwaitingdaughters。Hangingabout！Andtheystartthinkingandaskingquestions，andbegintobeneitheronethingnortheother。We’repartlyhumanbeingsandpartlyfemalesinsuspense。"

MissMiniverfollowedwithanexpressionofperplexity，hermouthshapedtofutileexpositions。TheWidgettmethodofthoughtpuzzledherweaklyrhetoricalmind。"Thereisnoremedy，girls，"

shebegan，breathlessly，"excepttheVote。Giveusthat——"

AnnVeronicacameinwithacertaindisregardofMissMiniver。

"That’sit，"shesaid。"Theyhavenoplansforus。Theyhavenoideaswhattodowithus。"

"Except，"saidConstance，surveyingherworkwithherheadononeside，"tokeepthematchesfromthelitter。"

"Andtheywon’tletusmakeplansforourselves。"

"Wewill，"saidMissMiniver，refusingtobesuppressed，"ifsomeofushavetobekilledtogetit。"Andshepressedherlipstogetherinwhiteresolutionandnodded，andshewasmanifestlyfullofthatsamepassionforconflictandself-sacrificethathasgiventheworldmartyrssincethebeginningofthings。"I

wishIcouldmakeeverywoman，everygirl，seethisasclearlyasIseeit——justwhattheVotemeanstous。Justwhatitmeans……"

Part2

AsAnnVeronicawentbackalongtheAvenuetoherauntshebecameawareofalight-footedpursuerrunning。Teddyovertookher，alittleoutofbreath，hisinnocentfaceflushed，hisstraw-coloredhairdisordered。Hewasoutofbreath，andspokeinbrokensentences。

"Isay，Vee。Halfaminute，Vee。It’slikethis:Youwantfreedom。Lookhere。Youknow——ifyouwantfreedom。Justanideaofmine。YouknowhowthoseRussianstudentsdo？InRussia。Justaformalmarriage。Mereformality。Liberatesthegirlfromparentalcontrol。See？Youmarryme。Simply。Nofurtherresponsibilitywhatever。Withouthindrance——presentoccupation。Whynot？Quitewilling。Getalicense——justanideaofmine。Doesn’tmatterabittome。Doanythingtopleaseyou，Vee。Anything。Notfittobedustonyourboots。

Still——thereyouare！"

Hepaused。

AnnVeronica’sdesiretolaughunrestrainedlywascheckedbythetremendousearnestnessofhisexpression。"Awfullygoodofyou，Teddy。"shesaid。

Henoddedsilently，toofullforwords。

"ButIdon’tsee，"saidAnnVeronica，"justhowitfitsthepresentsituation。"

"No！Well，Ijustsuggestedit。Threwitout。Ofcourse，ifatanytime——seereason——alteryouropinion。Alwaysatyourservice。

Nooffence，Ihope。Allright！I’moff。Duetoplayhockey。

Jackson’s。Horridsnorters！Solong，Vee！Justsuggestedit。

See？Nothingreally。Passingthought。"

"Teddy，"saidAnnVeronica，"you’readear！"

"Oh，quite！"saidTeddy，convulsively，andliftedanimaginaryhatandlefther。

Part3

ThecallAnnVeronicapaidwithherauntthatafternoonhadatfirstmuchthesamerelationtotheWidgettconversationthataplasterstatueofMr。Gladstonewouldhavetoacarelesslydisplayedinterioronadissecting-roomtable。TheWidgettstalkedwitharemarkableabsenceofexternalcoverings；thePalsworthysfoundallthemeaningsoflifeonitssurfaces。TheyseemedthemostwrappedthingsinallAnnVeronica’swrapperedworld。TheWidgettmentalfurniturewasperhapswornandshabby，butthereitwasbeforeyou，undisguised，fadingvisiblyinanalmostpitilesssunlight。LadyPalsworthywasthewidowofaknightwhohadwonhisspursinthewholesalecoaltrade，shewasofgoodseventeenth-centuryattorneyblood，acountyfamily，anddistantlyrelatedtoAuntMollie’sdeceasedcurate。ShewasthesocialleaderofMorningsidePark，andinhersuperficialandeuphuisticwayanextremelykindandpleasantwoman。WithherlivedaMrs。Pramlay，asisteroftheMorningsideParkdoctor，andaveryactiveandusefulmemberoftheCommitteeoftheImpoverishedGentlewomen’sAidSociety。BothladieswereoneasyandfriendlytermswithallthatwasbestinMorningsideParksociety；theyhadanafternoononceamonththatwasquitewellattended，theysometimesgavemusicalevenings，theydinedoutandgaveafinishtopeople’sdinners，theyhadafull-sizedcroquetlawnandtennisbeyond，andunderstoodtheartofbringingpeopletogether。Andtheynevertalkedofanythingatall，neverdiscussed，neverevenencouragedgossip。Theywerejustnice。

AnnVeronicafoundherselfwalkingbackdowntheAvenuethathadjustbeenthesceneofherfirstproposalbesideheraunt，andspeculatingforthefirsttimeinherlifeaboutthatlady’smentalattitudes。Herprevailingeffectwasoneofquietandcompleteassurance，asthoughsheknewallabouteverything，andwasonlyrestrainedbyherinstinctivedelicacyfromtellingwhatsheknew。Buttherestraintexercisedbyherinstinctivedelicacywasverygreat；overandabovecoarseorsexualmattersitcoveredreligionandpoliticsandanymentionofmoneymattersorcrime，andAnnVeronicafoundherselfwonderingwhethertheseexclusionsrepresented，afterall，anythingmorethansuppressions。Wasthereanythingatallinthoselockedroomsofheraunt’smind？Weretheyfullyfurnishedandonlyalittledustyandcobwebbyandinneedofanairing，orweretheystarkvacancyexcept，perhaps，foracockroachorsoorthegnawingofarat？Whatwasthementalequivalentofarat’sgnawing？Theimagewasgoingastray。ButwhatwouldherauntthinkofTeddy’srecentoff-handsuggestionofmarriage？WhatwouldshethinkoftheWidgettconversation？Supposeshewastotellherauntquietlybutfirmlyabouttheparasiticmalesofdegradedcrustacea。Thegirlsuppressedachucklethatwouldhavebeeninexplicable。

Therecameawildrushofanthropologicalloreintoherbrain，aflareofindecoroushumor。Itwasoneofthesecrettroublesofhermind，thisgrotesquetwistherideaswouldsometimestake，asthoughtheyrebelledandrioted。Afterall，shefoundherselfreflecting，behindheraunt’scomplacentvisagetherewasapastasluridasanyone’s——not，ofcourse，heraunt’sownpersonalpast，whichwasapparentlyjustthatcurateandalmostincrediblyjejune，butanancestralpastwithallsortsofscandalousthingsinit:fireandslaughterings，exogamy，marriagebycapture，corroborees，cannibalism！Ancestresseswithperhapsdimanticipatorylikenessestoheraunt，theirhairlessneatlydone，nodoubt，theirmannersandgesturesasyetundisciplined，butstillancestressesinthedirectline，musthavedancedthroughabriefandstirringlifeinthewoadybuff。WastherenoechoanywhereinMissStanley’spacifiedbrain？Thoseemptyrooms，iftheywereempty，weretheequivalentsofastoundinglydecoratedpredecessors。Perhapsitwasjustaswelltherewasnoinheritedmemory。

AnnVeronicawasbythistimequiteshockedatherownthoughts，andyettheywouldgoonwiththeirfreaks。Greatvistasofhistoryopened，andsheandherauntwerenearrevertingtotheprimitiveandpassionateandentirelyindecorousarboreal——wereswingingfrombranchesbythearms，andreallygoingonquitedread-fully——whentheirarrivalatthePalsworthys’happilycheckedthisplayoffancy，andbroughtAnnVeronicabacktotheexigenciesofthewrapperedlifeagain。

LadyPalsworthylikedAnnVeronicabecauseshewasneverawkward，hadsteadyeyes，andanalmostinvariableneatnessanddignityinherclothes。Sheseemedjustasstiffandshyasagirloughttobe，LadyPalsworthythought，neithergarrulousnorunready，andfreefromnearlyalltheheavyaggressiveness，theovergrown，overblownquality，theegotismandwantofconsiderationofthetypicalmoderngirl。ButthenLadyPalsworthyhadneverseenAnnVeronicarunninglikethewindathockey。Shehadneverseenhersittingontablesnorheardherdiscussingtheology，andhadfailedtoobservethatthegracefulfigurewasanaturaloneandnotduetoablychosenstays。ShetookitforgrantedAnnVeronicaworestays——mildstays，perhaps，butstays，andthoughtnomoreofthematter。Shehadseenherreallyonlyatteas，withtheStanleystraininheruppermost。Therearesomanygirlsnowadayswhoarequiteunpresentableattea，withtheiruntrimmedlaughs，theirawfuldispositionsoftheirlegswhentheysitdown，theirslangydisrespect；theynolongersmoke，itistrue，likethegirlsoftheeightiesandnineties，neverthelesstoafineintelligencetheyhavetheflavoroftobacco。Theyhavenoamenities，theyscratchthemellowsurfaceofthingsalmostasiftheydiditonpurpose；andLadyPalsworthyandMrs。Pramlaylivedforamenitiesandthemellowedsurfacesofthings。AnnVeronicawasoneofthefewyoungpeople——andonemusthaveyoungpeoplejustasonemusthaveflowers——onecouldasktoalittlegatheringwithouttheriskofapainfuldiscord。ThenthedistantrelationshiptoMissStanleygavethemaslightbutpleasantsenseofproprietorshipinthegirl。Theyhadtheirlittledreamsabouther。

Mrs。Pramlayreceivedthemintheprettychintzdrawing-room，whichopenedbyFrenchwindowsonthetrimgarden，withitscroquetlawn，itstennis-netinthemiddledistance，anditsremoterosealleylinedwithsmartdahliasandflamingsunflowers。HereyemetMissStanley’sunderstandingly，andshewasifanythingatriflemoreaffectionateinhergreetingtoAnnVeronica。ThenAnnVeronicapassedontowardtheteainthegarden，whichwasdottedwiththeeliteofMorningsideParksociety，andthereshewaspounceduponbyLadyPalsworthyandgiventeaandledabout。Acrossthelawnandhoveringindecisively，AnnVeronicasawandimmediatelyaffectednottoseeMr。Manning，LadyPalsworthy’snephew，atallyoungmanofseven-and-thirtywithahandsome，thoughtful，impassiveface，afullblackmustache，andacertainheavyluxuriousnessofgesture。ThepartyresolveditselfforAnnVeronicaintoagameinwhichshemanoeuvredunostentatiouslyandfinallyunsuccessfullytoavoidtalkingalonewiththisgentleman。

Mr。ManninghadshownonpreviousoccasionsthathefoundAnnVeronicainterestingandthathewishedtointeresther。Hewasacivilservantofsomestanding，andafterapreviousconversationuponaestheticsofasententious，nebulous，andsympatheticcharacter，hehadsentherasmallvolume，whichhedescribedasthefruitsofhisleisureandwhichwasasamatteroffactrathercarefullyfinishedverse。ItdealtwithfineaspectsofMr。Manning’sfeelings，andasAnnVeronica’smindwasstilllargelyengagedwithfundamentalsandfoundnopleasureinmetricalforms，shehadnotasyetcutitspages。Sothatasshesawhimsheremarkedtoherselfveryfaintlybutdefinitely，"Oh，golly！"andsetupacampaignofavoidancethatMr。Manningatlastbrokedownbycomingdirectlyatherasshetalkedwiththevicar’sauntaboutsomeofthedetailsoftheallegedsmellofthenewchurchlamps。Hedidnotsomuchcutintothisconversationasloomoverit，forhewasatall，ifratherstudiouslystooping，man。

ThefacethatlookeddownuponAnnVeronicawasfullofamiableintention。"Splendidyouarelookingto-day，MissStanley，"hesaid。"Howwellandjollyyoumustbefeeling。"

Hebeamedovertheeffectofthisandshookhandswitheffusion，andLadyPalsworthysuddenlyappearedashisconfederateanddisentangledthevicar’saunt。

"Ilovethiswarmendofsummermorethanwordscantell，"hesaid。"I’vetriedtomakewordstellit。It’snogood。Mild，youknow，andboon。Youwantmusic。"

AnnVeronicaagreed，andtriedtomakethemannerofherassentcoverapossibleknowledgeofaprobablepoem。

"Splendiditmustbetobeacomposer。Glorious！ThePastoral。

Beethoven；he’sthebestofthem。Don’tyouthink？Tum，tay，tum，tay。"

AnnVeronicadid。

"Whathaveyoubeendoingsinceourlasttalk？Stillcuttinguprabbitsandprobingintothings？I’veoftenthoughtofthattalkofours——often。"

Hedidnotappeartorequireanyanswertohisquestion。

"Often，"herepeated，alittleheavily。

"Beautifultheseautumnflowersare，"saidAnnVeronica，inawide，uncomfortablepause。

"DocomeandseetheMichaelmasdaisiesattheendofthegarden，"saidMr。Manning，"they’readream。"AndAnnVeronicafoundherselfbeingcarriedofftoanisolationevenremoterandmoreconspicuousthanthecornerofthelawn，withthewholeofthepartyaidingandabettingandglancingatthem。"Damn！"saidAnnVeronicatoherself，rousingherselfforaconflict。

Mr。Manningtoldherhelovedbeauty，andextortedasimilaradmissionfromher；hethenexpatiateduponhisownloveofbeauty。Hesaidthatforhimbeautyjustifiedlife，thathecouldnotimagineagoodactionthatwasnotabeautifulonenoranybeautifulthingthatcouldbealtogetherbad。AnnVeronicahazardedanopinionthatasamatterofhistorysomeverybeautifulpeoplehad，toaquiteconsiderableextent，beenbad，butMr。Manningquestionedwhetherwhentheywerebadtheywerereallybeautifulorwhentheywerebeautifulbad。AnnVeronicafoundherattentionwanderingalittleashetoldherthathewasnotashamedtofeelalmostslavishinthepresenceofreallybeautifulpeople，andthentheycametotheMichaelmasdaisies。

Theywerereallyveryfineandabundant，withablazeofperennialsunflowersbehindthem。

"Theymakemewanttoshout，"saidMr。Manning，withasweepofthearm。

"They’reverygoodthisyear，"saidAnnVeronica，avoidingcontroversialmatter。

"EitherIwanttoshout，"saidMr。Manning，"whenIseebeautifulthings，orelseIwanttoweep。"Hepausedandlookedather，andsaid，withasuddendropintoaconfidentialundertone，"OrelseIwanttopray。"

"WhenisMichaelmasDay？"saidAnnVeronica，alittleabruptly。

"Heavenknows！"saidMr。Manning；andadded，"thetwenty-ninth。"

"Ithoughtitwasearlier，"saidAnnVeronica。"Wasn’tParliamenttoreassemble？"

Heputouthishandandleanedagainstatreeandcrossedhislegs。"You’renotinterestedinpolitics？"heasked，almostwithanoteofprotest。

"Well，rather，"saidAnnVeronica。"Itseems——It’sinteresting。"

"Doyouthinkso？Ifindmyinterestinthatsortofthingdeclineanddecline。"

"I’mcurious。PerhapsbecauseIdon’tknow。IsupposeanintelligentpersonOUGHTtobeinterestedinpoliticalaffairs。

Theyconcernusall。"

"Iwonder，"saidMr。Manning，withabafflingsmile。

"Ithinktheydo。Afterall，they’rehistoryinthemaking。"

"Asortofhistory，"saidMr。Manning；andrepeated，"asortofhistory。Butlookatthesegloriousdaisies！"

"Butdon’tyouthinkpoliticalquestionsAREimportant？"

"Idon’tthinktheyarethisafternoon，andIdon’tthinktheyaretoyou。"

AnnVeronicaturnedherbackontheMichaelmasdaisies，andfacedtowardthehousewithanairofadutycompleted。

"Justcometothatseatnowyouarehere，MissStanley，andlookdowntheotherpath；there’savistaofjustthecommonsort。

Bettereventhanthese。"

AnnVeronicawalkedasheindicated。

"YouknowI’mold-fashioned，MissStanley。Idon’tthinkwomenneedtotroubleaboutpoliticalquestions。"

"Iwantavote，"saidAnnVeronica。

"Really！"saidMr。Manning，inanearnestvoice，andwavedhishandtothealleyofmauveandpurple。"Iwishyoudidn’t。"

"Whynot？"Sheturnedonhim。

"Itjars。Itjarswithallmyideas。Womentomearesomethingsoserene，sofine，sofeminine，andpoliticsaresodusty，sosordid，sowearisomeandquarrelsome。Itseemstomeawoman’sdutytobebeautiful，toBEbeautifulandtobehavebeautifully，andpoliticsarebytheirverynatureugly。Yousee，I——Iamawomanworshipper。IworshippedwomenlongbeforeIfoundanywomanImighteverhopetoworship。Longago。And——theideaofcommittees，ofhustings，ofagenda-papers！"

"Idon’tseewhytheresponsibilityofbeautyshouldallbeshiftedontothewomen，"saidAnnVeronica，suddenlyrememberingapartofMissMiniver’sdiscourse。

"Itrestswiththembythenatureofthings。Whyshouldyouwhoarequeenscomedownfromyourthrones？Ifyoucanaffordit，WE

can’t。Wecan’taffordtoturnourwomen，ourMadonnas，ourSaintCatherines，ourMonaLisas，ourgoddessesandangelsandfairyprincesses，intoasortofman。Womanhoodissacredtome。

Mypoliticsinthatmatterwouldn’tbetogivewomenvotes。I’maSocialist，MissStanley。"

"WHAT？"saidAnnVeronica，startled。

"ASocialistoftheorderofJohnRuskin。IndeedIam！Iwouldmakethiscountryacollectivemonarchy，andallthegirlsandwomeninitshouldbetheQueen。Theyshouldnevercomeintocontactwithpoliticsoreconomics——oranyofthosethings。Andwemenwouldworkforthemandservetheminloyalfealty。"

"That’sratherthetheorynow，"saidAnnVeronica。"Onlysomanymenneglecttheirduties。"

"Yes，"saidMr。Manning，withanairofemergingfromanelaboratedemonstration，"andsoeachofusmust，underexistingconditions，beingchivalrousindeedtoallwomen，chooseforhimselfhisownparticularandworshipfulqueen。"

"Sofarasonecanjudgefromthesysteminpractice，"saidAnnVeronica，speakinginaloud，common-sense，detachedtone，andbeginningtowalkslowlybutresolutelytowardthelawn，"itdoesn’twork。"

"Everyonemustbeexperimental，"saidMr。Manning，andglancedroundhastilyforfurtherhorticulturalpointsofinterestinsecludedcorners。Nonepresentedthemselvestosavehimfromthatreturn。

"That’sallverywellwhenoneisn’tthematerialexperimentedupon，"AnnVeronicahadremarked。

"Womenwould——theyDOhavefarmorepowerthantheythink，asinfluences，asinspirations。"

AnnVeronicasaidnothinginanswertothat。

"Yousayyouwantavote，"saidMr。Manning，abruptly。

"IthinkIoughttohaveone。"

"Well，Ihavetwo，"saidMr。Manning——"oneinOxfordUniversityandoneinKensington。"Hecaughtupandwentonwithasortofclumsiness:"Letmepresentyouwiththemandbeyourvoter。"

Therefollowedaninstant’spause，andthenAnnVeronicahaddecidedtomisunderstand。

"Iwantavoteformyself，"shesaid。"Idon’tseewhyIshouldtakeitsecond-hand。Thoughit’sverykindofyou。Andratherunscrupulous。Haveyouevervoted，Mr。Manning？Isupposethere’sasortofplacelikeaticket-office。Andaballot-box——"Herfaceassumedanexpressionofintellectualconflict。"Whatisaballot-boxlike，exactly？"sheasked，asthoughitwasveryimportanttoher。

Mr。Manningregardedherthoughtfullyforamomentandstrokedhismustache。"Aballot-box，youknow，"hesaid，"isverylargelyjustabox。"Hemadequitealongpause，andwenton，withasigh:"Youhaveavotingpapergivenyou——"

Theyemergedintothepublicityofthelawn。

"Yes，"saidAnnVeronica，"yes，"tohisexplanation，andsawacrossthelawnLadyPalsworthytalkingtoheraunt，andbothofthemstaringfranklyacrossatherandMr。Manningastheytalked。

CHAPTERTHETHIRD

THEMORNINGOFTHECRISIS

Part1

TwodaysaftercamethedayoftheCrisis，thedayoftheFaddenDance。Itwouldhavebeenacrisisanyhow，butitwascomplicatedinAnnVeronica’smindbythefactthataletterlayonthebreakfast-tablefromMr。Manning，andthatherauntfocussedabrightlytactfuldisregarduponthisthroughoutthemeal。AnnVeronicahadcomedownthinkingofnothingintheworldbutherinflexibleresolutiontogotothedanceintheteethofallopposition。ShedidnotknowMr。Manning’shandwriting，andopenedhisletterandreadsomelinesbeforeitsimportappeared。ThenforatimesheforgottheFaddenaffairaltogether。Withawell-simulatedunconcernandaheightenedcolorshefinishedherbreakfast。

ShewasnotobligedtogototheTredgoldCollege，becauseasyettheCollegehadnotsettleddownforthesession。Shewassupposedtobereadingathome，andafterbreakfastshestrolledintothevegetablegarden，andhavingtakenupapositionuponthestagingofadisusedgreenhousethathadthedoubleadvantageofbeinghiddenfromthewindowsofthehouseandsecurefromthesuddenappearanceofanyone，sheresumedthereadingofMr。

Manning’sletter。

Mr。Manning’shandwritinghadanairofbeingclearwithoutbeingeasilylegible；itwaslargeandratherroundish，withalackofdefinitionaboutthelettersandadispositiontotreatthelargeonesasliberal-mindedpeoplenowadaystreatopinions，asallamountingtothesamethingreally——ayears-smoothedboyishratherthananadulthand。Anditfilledsevensheetsofnotepaper，eachwrittenonlyononeside。

"MYDEARMISSSTANLEY，"itbegan，——"Ihopeyouwillforgivemybotheringyouwithaletter，butIhavebeenthinkingverymuchoverourconversationatLadyPalsworthy’s，andIfeeltherearethingsIwanttosaytoyousomuchthatIcannotwaituntilwemeetagain。Itistheworstoftalkundersuchsocialcircumstancesthatitisalwaysgettingcutoffsosoonasitisbeginning；andIwenthomethatafternoonfeelingIhadsaidnothing——literallynothing——ofthethingsIhadmeanttosaytoyouandthatwerecoursingthroughmyhead。TheywerethingsI

hadmeantverymuchtotalktoyouabout，sothatIwenthomevexedanddisappointed，andonlyrelievedmyselfalittlebywritingafewverses。IwonderifyouwillmindverymuchwhenI

tellyoutheyweresuggestedbyyou。Youmustforgivethepoet’slicenseItake。Hereisoneverse。Themetricalirregularityisintentional，becauseIwant，asitwere，toputyouapart:tochangetheliltandthemoodaltogetherwhenIspeakofyou。

"’ASONGOFLADIESANDMYLADY

"’SaintlywhiteandalilyisMary，Margaret’sviolets，sweetandshy；

GreenanddewyisNellie-budfairy，Forget-me-notsliveinGwendolen’seye。

Annabelshineslikeastarinthedarkness，Rosamundqueensitarose，deeprose；

ButtheladyIloveislikesunshineinAprilweather，Shegleamsandgladdens，shewarms——andgoes。’

"Crude，Iadmit。Butletthatversetellmysecret。Allbadverse——originallytheepigramwasLang’s，Ibelieve——iswritteninastateofemotion。

"MydearMissStanley，whenItalkedtoyoutheotherafternoonofworkandpoliticsandsuch-likethings，mymindwasallthetimeresentingitbeyondmeasure。Therewewerediscussingwhetheryoushouldhaveavote，andIrememberedthelastoccasionwemetitwasaboutyourprospectsofsuccessinthemedicalprofessionorasaGovernmentofficialsuchasanumberofwomennoware，andallthetimemyheartwascryingoutwithinme，’HereistheQueenofyourcareer。’Iwanted，asIhaveneverwantedbefore，totakeyouup，tomakeyoumine，tocarryyouoffandsetyouapartfromallthestrainandturmoiloflife。Fornothingwilleverconvincemethatitisnottheman’sshareinlifetoshield，toprotect，toleadandtoilandwatchandbattlewiththeworldatlarge。Iwanttobeyourknight，yourservant，yourprotector，your——Idarescarcelywritetheword——yourhusband。SoIcomesuppliant。Iamfive-and-thirty，andIhaveknockedaboutintheworldandtastedthequalityoflife。IhadahardfighttobeginwithtowinmywayintotheUpperDivision——Iwasthirdonalistofforty-seven——andsincethenIhavefoundmyselfpromotedalmostyearlyinawideningsphereofsocialservice。BeforeImetyouInevermetanyonewhomIfeltIcouldlove，butyouhavediscovereddepthsinmyownnatureIhadscarcelysuspected。Exceptforafewearlyebullitionsofpassion，naturaltoawarmandromanticdisposition，andleavingnoharmfulafter-effects——ebullitionsthatbythestandardsofthehighertruthIfeelnoonecanjustlycastastoneat，andofwhichIforoneambynomeansashamed——Icometoyouapureandunencumberedman。Iloveyou。

InadditiontomypublicsalaryIhaveacertainprivatepropertyandfurtherexpectationsthroughmyaunt，sothatIcanofferyoualifeofwideandgenerousrefinement，travel，books，discussion，andeasyrelationswithacircleofcleverandbrilliantandthoughtfulpeoplewithwhommyliteraryworkhasbroughtmeintocontact，andofwhich，seeingmeonlyasyouhavedonealoneinMorningsidePark，youcanhavenoidea。Ihaveacertainstandingnotonlyasasingerbutasacritic，andI

belongtooneofthemostbrilliantcauseriedinnerclubsoftheday，inwhichsuccessfulBohemianism，politicians，menofaffairs，artists，sculptors，andcultivatednoblemengenerally，mingletogetherintheeasiestandmostdelightfulintercourse。

Thatismyrealmilieu，andonethatIamconvincedyouwouldnotonlyadornbutdelightin。

"Ifinditveryhardtowritethisletter。TherearesomanythingsIwanttotellyou，andtheystandonsuchdifferentlevels，thattheeffectisnecessarilyconfusinganddiscordant，andIfindmyselfdoubtingifIamreallygivingyouthethreadofemotionthatshouldrunthroughallthisletter。ForalthoughImustconfessitreadsverymuchlikeanapplicationoratestimonialorsomesuchthingasthat，IcanassureyouIamwritingthisinfearandtremblingwithasinkingheart。MymindisfullofideasandimagesthatIhavebeencherishingandaccumulating——dreamsoftravellingsidebyside，oflunchingquietlytogetherinsomejollyrestaurant，ofmoonlightandmusicandallthatsideoflife，ofseeingyoudressedlikeaqueenandshininginsomebrilliantthrong——mine；ofyourlookingatflowersinsomeold-worldgarden，ourgarden——therearesplendidplacestobegotdowninSurrey，andalittlerunaboutmotorisquitewithinmymeans。Youknowtheysay，as，indeed，Ihavejustquotedalready，thatallbadpoetryiswritteninastateofemotion，butIhavenodoubtthatthisistrueofbadoffersofmarriage。Ihaveoftenfeltbeforethatitisonlywhenonehasnothingtosaythatonecanwriteeasypoetry。WitnessBrowning。

AndhowcanIgetintoonebriefletterthecomplexaccumulateddesiresofwhatisnow，Ifindonreferencetomydiary，nearlysixteenmonthsoflettingmymindrunonyou——eversincethatjollypartyatSurbiton，whereweracedandbeattheotherboat。

YousteeredandIrowedstroke。Myverysentencesstumbleandgiveway。ButIdonotevencareifIamabsurd。Iamaresoluteman，andhithertowhenIhavewantedathingIhavegotit；butIhaveneveryetwantedanythinginmylifeasIhavewantedyou。Itisn’tthesamething。IamafraidbecauseIloveyou，sothatthemerethoughtoffailurehurts。IfIdidnotloveyousomuchIbelieveIcouldwinyoubysheerforceofcharacter，forpeopletellmeIamnaturallyofthedominatingtype。Mostofmysuccessesinlifehavebeenmadewithasortofrecklessvigor。

"Well，IhavesaidwhatIhadtosay，stumblinglyandbadly，andbaldly。ButIamsickoftearinguplettersandhopelessofgettingwhatIhavetosaybettersaid。Itwouldbeeasyenoughformetowriteaneloquentletteraboutsomethingelse。OnlyI

donotcaretowriteaboutanythingelse。LetmeputthemainquestiontoyounowthatIcouldnotputtheotherafternoon。

Willyoumarryme，AnnVeronica？

Verysincerelyyours，"HUBERTMANNING。"

AnnVeronicareadthisletterthroughwithgrave，attentiveeyes。

Herinterestgrewassheread，acertaindistastedisappeared。

Twiceshesmiled，butnotunkindly。Thenshewentbackandmixedupthesheetsinasearchforparticularpassages。Finallyshefellintoreflection。

"Odd！"shesaid。"IsupposeIshallhavetowriteananswer。

It’ssodifferentfromwhatonehasbeenledtoexpect。"

Shebecameawareofheraunt，throughthepanesofthegreenhouse，advancingwithanairofsereneunconsciousnessfromamongtheraspberrycanes。

"Noyoudon’t！"saidAnnVeronica，andwalkedoutatabriskandbusiness-likepacetowardthehouse。

"I’mgoingforalongtramp，auntie，"shesaid。

"Alone，dear？"

"Yes，aunt。I’vegotalotofthingstothinkabout。"

MissStanleyreflectedasAnnVeronicawenttowardthehouse。

Shethoughthernieceveryhardandveryself-possessedandself-confident。Sheoughttobesoftenedandtenderandconfidentialatthisphaseofherlife。Sheseemedtohavenoideawhateveroftheemotionalstatesthatwerebecomingtoherageandposition。MissStanleywalkedroundthegardenthinking，andpresentlyhouseandgardenreverberatedtoAnnVeronica’sslammingofthefrontdoor。

"Iwonder！"saidMissStanley。

Foralongtimeshesurveyedarowoftoweringholly-hocks，asthoughtheyofferedanexplanation。Thenshewentinandup-stairs，hesitatedonthelanding，andfinally，alittlebreathlessandwithanairofgreatdignity，openedthedoorandwalkedintoAnnVeronica’sroom。Itwasaneat，efficient-lookingroom，withawriting-tableplacedwithabusiness-likeregardtothewindow，andabookcasesurmountedbyapig’sskull，adissectedfroginasealedbottle，andapileofshiny，black-coverednote-books。Inthecorneroftheroomweretwohockey-sticksandatennis-racket，anduponthewallsAnnVeronica，bymeansofautotypes，hadindicatedherproclivitiesinart。ButMissStanleytooknonoticeofthesethings。Shewalkedstraightacrosstothewardrobeandopenedit。There，hangingamongAnnVeronica’smorenormalclothing，wasaskimpydressofredcanvas，trimmedwithcheapandtawdrybraid，andshort——itcouldhardlyreachbelowtheknee。OnthesamepegandevidentlybelongingtoitwasablackvelvetZouavejacket。Andthen！agarmentthatwasconceivablyasecondaryskirt。

MissStanleyhesitated，andtookfirstoneandthenanotheroftheconstituentsofthiscostumeoffitspegandsurveyedit。

Thethirditemshetookwithatremblinghandbyitswaistbelt。

Assheraisedit，itslowerportionfellapartintotwobaggycrimsonmasses。

"TROUSERS！"shewhispered。

Hereyestravelledabouttheroomasifinappealtotheverychairs。

Tuckedunderthewriting-tableapairofyellowandgoldTurkishslippersofahighlymeretriciousqualitycaughthereye。Shewalkedovertothemstillcarryingthetrousersinherhands，andstoopedtoexaminethem。Theywereingeniousdisguisesofgiltpaperdestructivelygummed，itwouldseem，toAnnVeronicas’bestdancing-slippers。

Thensherevertedtothetrousers。

"HowCANItellhim？"whisperedMissStanley。

Part2

AnnVeronicacarriedalightbutbusiness-likewalking-stick。

ShewalkedwithaneasyquicknessdowntheAvenueandthroughtheproletarianportionofMorningsidePark，andcrossingthesefieldscameintoaprettyoverhunglanethatledtowardCaddingtonandtheDowns。Andthenherpaceslackened。Shetuckedherstickunderherarmandre-readManning’sletter。

"Letmethink，"saidAnnVeronica。"Iwishthishadn’tturnedupto-dayofalldays。"

Shefounditdifficulttobeginthinking，andindeedshewasanythingbutclearwhatitwasshehadtothinkabout。

Practicallyitwasmostofthechiefinterestsinlifethatsheproposedtosettleinthispedestrianmeditation。Primarilyitwasherownproblem，andinparticulartheanswershehadtogivetoMr。Manning’sletter，butinordertogetdataforthatshefoundthatshe，havingalogicalandorderedmind，hadtodecideuponthegeneralrelationsofmentowomen，theobjectsandconditionsofmarriageanditsbearinguponthewelfareoftherace，thepurposeoftherace，thepurpose，ifany，ofeverything……

"Frightfullotofthingsaren’tsettled，"saidAnnVeronica。Inaddition，theFaddenDancebusiness，alloutofproportion，occupiedthewholeforegroundofherthoughtsandthrewacolorofrebellionovereverything。ShekeptthinkingshewasthinkingaboutMr。Manning’sproposalofmarriageandfindingshewasthinkingofthedance。

ForatimehereffortstoachieveacomprehensiveconcentrationweredispersedbythepassageofthevillagestreetofCaddington，thepassingofagoggledcar-loadofmotorists，andthestrugglesofastableladmountedononerecalcitranthorseandleadinganother。Whenshegotbacktoherquestionsagaininthemonotonoushigh-roadthatledupthehill，shefoundtheimageofMr。Manningcentralinhermind。Hestoodthere，largeanddark，enunciating，inhisclearvoicefrombeneathhislargemustache，clearflatsentences，deliberatelykindly。Heproposed，hewantedtopossessher！Helovedher。

AnnVeronicafeltnorepulsionattheprospect。ThatMr。Manninglovedherpresenteditselftoherbloodlessly，stilledfromanyimaginativequiverorthrillofpassionordisgust。Therelationshipseemedtohavealmostasmuchtodowithbloodandbodyasamortgage。Itwassomethingthatwouldcreateamutualclaim，arelationship。Itwasinanotherworldfromthatinwhichmenwilldieforakiss，andtouchinghandslightsfiresthatburnuplives——theworldofromance，theworldofpassionatelybeautifulthings。

Butthatotherworld，inspiteofherresoluteexclusionofit，wasalwayslookingroundcornersandpeepingthroughchinksandcrannies，andrustlingandraidingintotheorderinwhichshechosetolive，shiningoutofpicturesather，echoinginlyricsandmusic；itinvadedherdreams，itwroteupbrokenandenigmaticalsentencesuponthepassagewallsofhermind。Shewasawareofitnowasifitwereavoiceshoutingoutsideahouse，shoutingpassionateveritiesinahotsunlight，avoicethatcrieswhilepeopletalkinsincerelyinadarkenedroomandpretendnottohear。ItsshoutingnowdidinsomeoccultmannerconveyaprotestthatMr。Manningwouldonnoaccountdo，thoughhewastallanddarkandhandsomeandkind，andthirty-fiveandadequatelyprosperous，andallthatahusbandshouldbe。Buttherewas，itinsisted，nomobilityinhisface，nomovement，nothingabouthimthatwarmed。IfAnnVeronicacouldhaveputwordstothatsongtheywouldhavebeen，"Hot-bloodedmarriageornone！"butshewasfartooindistinctinthismattertoframeanywordsatall。

"Idon’tlovehim，"saidAnnVeronica，gettingagleam。"Idon’tseethathisbeingagoodsortmatters。Thatreallysettlesaboutthat……Butitmeansnoendofarow。"

Foratimeshesatonarailbeforeleavingtheroadforthedownlandturf。"ButIwish，"shesaid，"IhadsomeideawhatI

wasreallyupto。"

Herthoughtswentintosolutionforatime，whileshelistenedtoalarksinging。

"Marriageandmothering，"saidAnnVeronica，withhermindcrystallizingoutagainasthelarkdroppedtothenestintheturf。"Andalltherestofitperhapsisasong。"

Part3

HermindgotbacktotheFaddenBall。

Shemeanttogo，shemeanttogo，shemeanttogo。Nothingwouldstopher，andshewaspreparedtofacetheconsequences。Supposeherfatherturnedheroutofdoors！Shedidnotcare，shemeanttogo。Shewouldjustwalkoutofthehouseandgo……

Shethoughtofhercostumeinsomedetailandwithconsiderablesatisfaction，andparticularlyofaveryjollypropertydaggerwithlargeglassjewelsinthehandle，thatreposedinadrawerinherroom。ShewastobeaCorsair’sBride。"Fancystabbingamanforjealousy！"shethought。"You’dhavetothinkhowtogetinbetweenhisbones。"

Shethoughtofherfather，andwithaneffortdismissedhimfromhermind。

ShetriedtoimaginethecollectiveeffectoftheFaddenBall；

shehadneverseenafancy-dressgatheringinherlife。Mr。

Manningcameintoherthoughtsagain，anunexpected，tall，dark，self-containedpresenceattheFadden。Onemightsupposehimturningup；heknewalotofcleverpeople，andsomeofthemmightbelongtotheclass。Whatwouldhecomeas？

Presentlysherousedherselfwithaguiltystartfromthetaskofdressingandre-dressingMr。Manninginfancycostume，asthoughhewasadoll。ShehadtriedhimasaCrusader，inwhichguiseheseemedplausiblebutheavy——"ThereISsomethingheavyabouthim；Iwonderifit’shismustache？"——andasaHussar，whichmadehimpreposterous，andasaBlackBrunswicker，whichwasbetter，andasanArabsheik。Alsoshehadtriedhimasadragomanandasagendarme，whichseemedthemostsuitableofalltohisseverelyhandsome，immobileprofile。Shefelthewouldtellpeopletheway，controltraffic，andrefuseadmissiontopublicbuildingswithinvinciblecorrectnessandtheveryfinestexplicitfeelingspossible。Foreachcostumeshehaddevisedasuitableformofmatrimonialrefusal。"Oh，Lord！"shesaid，discoveringwhatshewasupto，anddroppedlightlyfromthefenceupontheturfandwentonherwaytowardthecrest。

"Ishallnevermarry，"saidAnnVeronica，resolutely；"I’mnotthesort。That’swhyit’ssoimportantIshouldtakemyownlinenow。"

Part4

AnnVeronica’sideasofmarriagewerelimitedandunsystematic。

Herteachersandmistresseshaddonetheirbesttostamphermindwithanineradicablepersuasionthatitwastremendouslyimportant，andonnoaccounttobethoughtabout。Herfirstintimationsofmarriageasafactofextremesignificanceinawoman’slifehadcomewiththemarriageofAliceandtheelopementofhersecondsister，Gwen。

TheseconvulsionsoccurredwhenAnnVeronicawasabouttwelve。

Therewasagulfofeightyearsbetweenherandtheyoungestofherbraceofsisters——animpassablegulfinhabitedchaoticallybytwonoisybrothers。Thesesistersmovedinagrown-upworldinaccessibletoAnnVeronica’ssympathies，andtoalargeextentremotefromhercuriosity。Shegotintorowsthroughmeddlingwiththeirshoesandtennis-rackets，andhadmomentsofcarefullyconcealedadmirationwhenshewasprivilegedtoseethemjustbeforeherbedtime，ratherradiantlydressedinwhiteorpinkoramberandpreparedtogooutwithhermother。ShethoughtAliceabitofasneak，anopinionherbrothersshared，andGwenratherasnatchatmeals。Shesawnothingoftheirlove-making，andcamehomefromherboarding-schoolinastateofdecentlysuppressedcuriosityforAlice’swedding。

Herimpressionsofthiscardinalceremonywererichandconfused，complicatedbyaquitetransitorypassionthatawakenednoreciprocalfireforafatcurlyheadedcousininblackvelveteenandalacecollar，whoassistedasapage。Shefollowedhimaboutpersistently，andsucceeded，afterabrisk，unchivalrousstruggle(inwhichhepinchedandaskedherto"cheeseit")，inkissinghimamongtheraspberriesbehindthegreenhouse。

AfterwardherbrotherRoddy，alsostrangeinvelveteen，feelingratherthanknowingofthisrelationship，punchedthisAdonis’shead。

Amarriageinthehouseprovedtobeexcitingbutextremelydisorganizing。Everythingseemeddesignedtounhingethemindandmakethecatwretched。Allthefurniturewasmoved，allthemealsweredisarranged，andeverybody，AnnVeronicaincluded，appearedinnew，brightcostumes。Shehadtowearcreamandabrownsashandashortfrockandherhairdown，andGwencreamandabrownsashandalongskirtandherhairup。Andhermother，lookingunusuallyalertandhectic，worecreamandbrownalso，madeupinamorecomplicatedmanner。

AnnVeronicawasmuchimpressedbyamightytryingonandalteringandfussingaboutAlice’s"things"——Alicewasbeingre-costumedfromgarrettocellar，withawalking-dressandwalking-bootstomeasure，andabride’scostumeofthemostravishingdescription，andstockingsandsuchlikebeyondthedreamsofavarice——andaconstantandincreasingdrippingintothehouseofirrelevantremarkableobjects，suchas——

Reallacebedspread；

Gilttravellingclock；

Ornamentalpewterplaque；

Saladbowl(silvermounted)andservers；

Madgett’s"EnglishPoets"(twelvevolumes)，boundpurplemorocco；

Etc。，etc。

Throughallthisflutterofnoveltytherecameandwentasolicitous，preoccupied，almostdepressedfigure。ItwasDoctorRalph，formerlythepartnerofDoctorStickellintheAvenue，andnowwithathrivingpracticeofhisowninWamblesmith。Hehadshavedhisside-whiskersandcomeoverinflannels，buthewasstillindisputablythesamepersonwhohadattendedAnnVeronicaforthemeaslesandwhensheswallowedthefish-bone。Buthisrolewasaltered，andhewasnowplayingthebridegroominthisremarkabledrama。AlicewasgoingtobeMrs。Ralph。Hecameinapologetically；alltheold"Well，andhowAREwe？"notegone；

andonceheaskedAnnVeronica，almostfurtively，"How’sAlicegettingon，Vee？"Finally，ontheDay，heappearedlikehisoldprofessionalselftransfigured，inthemostbeautifullightgraytrousersAnnVeronicahadeverseenandanewshinysilkhatwithamostbecomingroll……

Itwasnotsimplythatalltheroomswererearrangedandeverybodydressedinunusualfashions，andalltheroutinesoflifeabolishedandputaway:people’stempersandemotionsalsoseemedstrangelydisturbedandshiftedabout。Herfatherwasdistinctlyirascible，anddisposedmorethanevertohideawayamongthepetrologicalthings——thestudywasturnedout。Attablehecarvedinagloomybutresolutemanner。OntheDayhehadtrumpet-likeoutbreaksofcordiality，variedbyawatchfulpreoccupation。GwenandAlicewerefantasticallyfriendly，whichseemedtoannoyhim，andMrs。Stanleywasthroughoutenigmatical，withananxiouseyeonherhusbandandAlice。

Therewasaconfusedimpressionofliverycarriagesandwhipswithwhitefavors，peoplefussilywantingotherpeopletogetinbeforethem，andthenthechurch。Peoplesatinunusualpews，andawidemarginofhassockyemptinessintervenedbetweentheceremonyandthewalls。

AnnVeronicahadanumberoffragmentaryimpressionsofAlicestrangelytransfiguredinbridalraiment。Itseemedtomakehersisterdowncastbeyondanyprecedent。Thebridesmaidsandpagesgotratherjumbledintheaisle，andshehadaneffectofAlice’swhitebackandslopingshouldersandveiledheadrecedingtowardthealtar。InsomeincomprehensiblewaythatbackviewmadeherfeelsorryforAlice。Alsosherememberedveryvividlythesmelloforangeblossom，andAlice，droopingandspiritless，mumblingresponses，facingDoctorRalph，whiletheRev。EdwardBribblestoodbetweenthemwithanopenbook。DoctorRalphlookedkindandlarge，andlistenedtoAlice’sresponsesasthoughhewaslisteningtosymptomsandthoughtthatonthewholeshewasprogressingfavorably。

AndafterwardhermotherandAlicekissedlongandclungtoeachother。AndDoctorRalphstoodbylookingconsiderate。Heandherfathershookhandsmanfully。

AnnVeronicahadgotquiteinterestedinMr。Bribble’srenderingoftheservice——hehadthesortofvoicethatbringsoutthings——andwasstillteemingwithideasaboutitwhenfinallyawildoutburstfromtheorganmadeitclearthat，whateversnivellingtheremightbedowninthechancel，thatexcellentwindinstrumentwas，initsMendelssohnianway，asgladaseveritcouldbe。"Pump，pump，per-um-pump，Pum，Pump，Per-um……"

Thewedding-breakfastwasforAnnVeronicaaspectacleoftheunrealconsumingthereal；shelikedthatpartverywell，untilshewascarelesslyservedagainstherexpressedwisheswithmayonnaise。Shewascaughtbyanuncle，whoseopinionshevalued，makingfacesatRoddybecausehehadexultedatthis。

OfthevastmassoftheseimpressionsAnnVeronicacouldmakenothingatthetime；theretheywere——Fact！Shestoredthemawayinamindnaturallyretentive，asasquirrelstoresawaynuts，forfurtherdigestion。Onlyonethingemergedwithanyreasonableclarityinhermindatonce，andthatwasthatunlessshewassavedfromdrowningbyanunmarriedman，inwhichcasetheceremonyisunavoidable，ortotallydestituteofunder-

clothing，andsodriventogetatrousseau，inwhichhardshipatrousseauwouldcertainlybe"ripping，"marriagewasanexperiencetobestrenuouslyevaded。

WhentheyweregoinghomesheaskedhermotherwhysheandGwenandAlicehadcried。

"Ssh！"saidhermother，andthenadded，"Alittlenaturalfeeling，dear。"

"Butdidn’tAlicewanttomarryDoctorRalph？"

"Oh，ssh，Vee！"saidhermother，withanevasionaspatentasanadvertisementboard。"IamsureshewillbeveryhappyindeedwithDoctorRalph。"

ButAnnVeronicawasbynomeanssureofthatuntilshewentovertoWamblesmithandsawhersister，veryremoteanddomesticandauthoritative，inabecomingtea-gown，incommandofDoctorRalph’shome。DoctorRalphcameintoteaandputhisarmroundAliceandkissedher，andAlicecalledhim"Squiggles，"andstoodintheshelterofhisarmsforamomentwithanexpressionofsatisfiedproprietorship。SheHADcried，AnnVeronicaknew。

Therehadbeenfussesandscenesdimlyapprehendedthroughhalf-opendoors。ShehadheardAlicetalkingandcryingatthesametime，apainfulnoise。Perhapsmarriagehurt。Butnowitwasallover，andAlicewasgettingonwell。ItremindedAnnVeronicaofhavingatoothstopped。

AndafterthatAlicebecameremoterthanever，and，afteratime，ill。Thenshehadababyandbecameasoldasanyreallygrown-upperson，orolder，andverydull。ThensheandherhusbandwentofftoaYorkshirepractice，andhadfourmorebabies，noneofwhomphotographedwell，andsoshepassedbeyondthesphereofAnnVeronica’ssympathiesaltogether。

Part5

TheGwenaffairhappenedwhenshewasawayatschoolatMarticombe-on-Sea，atermbeforeshewenttotheHighSchool，andwasneververycleartoher。

Hermothermissedwritingforaweek，andthenshewroteinanunusualkey。"Mydear，"theletterran，"IhavetotellyouthatyoursisterGwenhasoffendedyourfatherverymuch。Ihopeyouwillalwaysloveher，butIwantyoutoremembershehasoffendedyourfatherandmarriedwithouthisconsent。Yourfatherisveryangry，andwillnothavehernamementionedinhishearing。Shehasmarriedsomeonehecouldnotapproveof，andgonerightaway……"

WhenthenextholidayscameAnnVeronica’smotherwasill，andGwenwasinthesick-roomwhenAnnVeronicareturnedhome。Shewasinoneofheroldwalking-dresses，herhairwasdoneinanunfamiliarmanner，sheworeawedding-ring，andshelookedasifshehadbeencrying。

"Hello，Gwen！"saidAnnVeronica，tryingtoputeveryoneattheirease。"Beenandmarried？……What’sthenameofthehappyman？"

Gwenownedto"Fortescue。"

"Gotaphotographofhimoranything？"saidAnnVeronica，afterkissinghermother。

Gwenmadeaninquiry，and，directedbyMrs。Stanley，producedaportraitfromitshiding-placeinthejewel-drawerunderthemirror。Itpresentedaclean-shavenfacewithalargeCorinthiannose，hairtremendouslywavingofftheforeheadandmorechinandneckthanisgoodforaman。

"LOOKSallright，"saidAnnVeronica，regardinghimwithherheadfirstononesideandthenontheother，andtryingtobeagreeable。"What’stheobjection？"

"Isupposesheoughttoknow？"saidGwentohermother，tryingtoalterthekeyoftheconversation。

"Yousee，Vee，"saidMrs。Stanley，"Mr。Fortescueisanactor，andyourfatherdoesnotapproveoftheprofession。"

"Oh！"saidAnnVeronica。"Ithoughttheymadeknightsofactors？"

"TheymayofHalsomeday，"saidGwen。"Butit’salongbusiness。"

"Isupposethismakesyouanactress？"saidAnnVeronica。

"Idon’tknowwhetherIshallgoon，"saidGwen，anovelnoteoflanguorousprofessionalismcreepingintohervoice。"Theotherwomendon’tmuchlikeitifhusbandandwifeworktogether，andI

don’tthinkHalwouldlikemetoactawayfromhim。"

AnnVeronicaregardedhersisterwithanewrespect，butthetraditionsoffamilylifearestrong。"Idon’tsupposeyou’llbeabletodoitmuch，"saidAnnVeronica。

LaterGwen’stroubleweighedsoheavilyonMrs。StanleyinherillnessthatherhusbandconsentedtoreceiveMr。Fortescueinthedrawing-room，andactuallyshakehandswithhiminanentirelyhopelessmannerandhopeeverythingwouldturnoutforthebest。

Theforgivenessandreconciliationwasacoldandformalaffair，andafterwardsherfatherwentoffgloomilytohisstudy，andMr。

Fortescuerambledroundthegardenwithsoft，propitiatorysteps，theCorinthiannoseupraisedandhishandsbehindhisback，pausingtolooklongandhardatthefruit-treesagainstthewall。

AnnVeronicawatchedhimfromthedining-roomwindow，andaftersomemomentsofmaidenlyhesitationrambledoutintothegardeninareversedirectiontoMr。Fortescue’ssteps，andencounteredhimwithanairofartlesssurprise。

"Hello！"saidAnnVeronica，witharmsakimboandacareless，breathlessmanner。"YouMr。Fortescue？"

"Atyourservice。YouAnnVeronica？"

"Rather！Isay——didyoumarryGwen？"

"Yes。"

"Why？"

Mr。Fortescueraisedhiseyebrowsandassumedalight-comedyexpression。"IsupposeIfellinlovewithher，AnnVeronica。"

"Rum，"saidAnnVeronica。"Haveyougottokeephernow？"

"Tothebestofmyability，"saidMr。Fortescue，withabow。

"Haveyoumuchability？"askedAnnVeronica。

Mr。Fortescuetriedtoactembarrassmentinordertoconcealitsreality，andAnnVeronicawentontoaskastringofquestionsaboutacting，andwhetherhersisterwouldact，andwasshebeautifulenoughforit，andwhowouldmakeherdresses，andsoon。

AsamatteroffactMr。Fortescuehadnotmuchabilitytokeephersister，andalittlewhileafterhermother’sdeathAnnVeronicametGwensuddenlyonthestaircasecomingfromherfather’sstudy，shockinglydingyindustymourningandtearfulandresentful，andafterthatGwenrecededfromtheMorningsideParkworld，andnoteventhebegginglettersanddistressfulcommunicationsthatherfatherandauntreceived，butonlyavagueintimationofdreadfulness，aleakageofincidentalcomment，flashesofpaternalangerat"thatblackguard，"cametoAnnVeronica’sears。

Part6

ThesewereAnnVeronica’sleadingcasesinthequestionofmarriage。Theyweretheonlyrealmarriagesshehadseenclearly。Fortherest，shederivedherideasofthemarriedstatefromtheobservedbehaviorofmarriedwomen，whichimpressedherinMorningsideParkasbeingtiedanddullandinelasticincomparisonwiththelifeoftheyoung，andfromaremarkablyvariousreadingamongbooks。Asanetresultshehadcometothinkofallmarriedpeoplemuchasonethinksofinsectsthathavelosttheirwings，andofhersistersasnewhatchedcreatureswhohadscarcelyforamomenthadwings。SheevolvedadimimageofherselfcoopedupinahouseunderthebenevolentshadowofMr。Manning。Whoknows？——ontheanalogyof"Squiggles"

shemightcometocallhim"Mangles！"

"Idon’tthinkIcanevermarryanyone，"shesaid，andfellsuddenlyintoanothersetofconsiderationsthatperplexedherforatime。Hadromancetobebanishedfromlife？……

Itwashardtopartwithromance，butshehadneverthirstedsokeenlytogoonwithherUniversityworkinherlifeasshedidthatday。Shehadneverfeltsoacutelythedesireforfreeinitiative，foralifeunhamperedbyothers。Atanycost！Herbrothershaditpractically——atleasttheyhaditfarmorethanitseemedlikelyshewouldunlesssheexertedherselfwithquiteexceptionalvigor。Betweenherandthefair，farprospectoffreedomandself-developmentmanoeuvredMr。Manning，herauntandfather，neighbors，customs，traditions，forces。Theyseemedtoherthatmorningtobeallarmedwithnetsandpreparedtothrowthemoverherdirectlyhermovementsbecameinanymannertrulyfree。

Shehadafeelingasthoughsomethinghaddroppedfromhereyes，asthoughshehadjustdiscoveredherselfforthefirsttime——discoveredherselfasasleep-walkermightdo，abruptlyamongdangers，hindrances，andperplexities，onthevergeofacardinalcrisis。

Thelifeofagirlpresenteditselftoherassomethinghappyandheedlessandunthinking，yetreallyguidedandcontrolledbyothers，andgoingonamidstunsuspectedscreensandconcealments。

Andinitswayitwasverywell。Thensuddenlywitharushcamereality，came"growingup"；ahastyimperativeappealforseriousness，forsupremeseriousness。TheRalphsandManningsandFortescuescamedownupontherawinexperience，upontheblinkingignoranceofthenewcomer；andbeforehereyeswerefairlyopen，beforesheknewwhathadhappened，anewsetofguidesandcontrols，anewsetofobligationsandresponsibilitiesandlimitations，hadreplacedtheold。"IwanttobeaPerson，"saidAnnVeronicatothedownsandtheopensky；

"Iwillnothavethishappentome，whateverelsemayhappeninitsplace。"

AnnVeronicahadthreethingsverydefinitelysettledbythetimewhen，alittleaftermid-day，shefoundherselfpercheduponagatebetweenabridle-pathandafieldthatcommandedthewholewidestretchofcountrybetweenChalkingandWaldersham。

Firstly，shedidnotintendtomarryatall，andparticularlyshedidnotmeantomarryMr。Manning；secondly，bysomemeasureorother，shemeanttogoonwithherstudies，notattheTredgoldSchoolsbutattheImperialCollege；and，thirdly，shewas，asanimmediateanddecisiveact，asymbolofjustexactlywhereshestood，adeclarationoffreeandadultinitiative，goingthatnighttotheFaddenBall。

Butthepossibleattitudeofherfathershehadstilltoface。

Sofarshehadtheutmostdifficultyingettingontothatvitallyimportantmatter。Thewholeofthatrelationshippersistedinremainingobscure。WhatwouldhappenwhennextmorningshereturnedtoMorningsidePark？

Hecouldn’tturnheroutofdoors。Butwhathecoulddoormightdoshecouldnotimagine。Shewasnotafraidofviolence，butshewasafraidofsomethingmean，somesecondarykindofforce。

Supposehestoppedallherallowance，madeitimperativethatsheshouldeitherstayineffectuallyresentfulathomeorearnalivingforherselfatonce……Itappearedhighlyprobabletoherthathewouldstopherallowance。

Whatcanagirldo？

SomewhereatthispointAnnVeronica’sspeculationswereinterruptedandturnedasidebytheapproachofahorseandrider。Mr。Ramage，thatiron-graymanoftheworld，appeareddressedinabowlerhatandasuitofhardgray，astrideofablackhorse。Hepulledreinatthesightofher，saluted，andregardedherwithhisrathertooprotuberanteyes。Thegirl’sgazemethisininterestedinquiry。

"You’vegotmyview，"hesaid，afterapensivesecond。"Ialwaysgetoffhereandleanoverthatrailforabit。MayIdosoto-day？"

"It’syourgate，"shesaid，amiably；"yougotitfirst。It’sforyoutosayifImaysitonit。"

Heslippedoffthehorse。"LetmeintroduceyoutoCaesar，"hesaid；andshepattedCaesar’sneck，andremarkedhowsofthisnosewas，andsecretlydeploredtheuglinessofequineteeth。

Ramagetetheredthehorsetothefarthergate-post，andCaesarblewheavilyandbegantoinvestigatethehedge。

RamageleanedoverthegateatAnnVeronica’sside，andforamomenttherewassilence。

Hemadesomeobviouscommentsonthewideviewwarmingtowarditsautumnalblazethatspreaditselfinhillandvalley，woodandvillage，below。

"It’sasbroadaslife，"saidMr。Ramage，regardingitandputtingawell-bootedfootuponthebottomrail。

Part7

"Andwhatareyoudoinghere，younglady，"hesaid，lookingupatherface，"wanderingalonesofarfromhome？"

"Ilikelongwalks，"saidAnnVeronica，lookingdownonhim。

"Solitarywalks？"

"That’sthepointofthem。Ithinkoverallsortsofthings。"

"Problems？"

"Sometimesquitedifficultproblems。"

"You’reluckytoliveinanagewhenyoucandoso。Yourmother，forinstance，couldn’t。Shehadtodoherthinkingathome——underinspection。"

Shelookeddownonhimthoughtfully，andhelethisadmirationofherfreeyoungpoiseshowinhisface。

"Isupposethingshavechanged？"shesaid。

"Neverwassuchanageoftransition。"

Shewonderedwhatto。Mr。Ramagedidnotknow。"Sufficientuntomeisthechangethereof，"hesaid，withalltheeffectofanepigram。

"Imustconfess，"hesaid，"theNewWomanandtheNewGirlintriguemeprofoundly。Iamoneofthosepeoplewhoareinterestedinwomen，moreinterestedthanIaminanythingelse。

Idon’tconcealit。Andthechange，thechangeofattitude！Thewayalltheoldclingingnesshasbeenthrownasideisamazing。

Andalltheold——theoldtrickofshrinkinguplikeasnailatatouch。IfyouhadlivedtwentyyearsagoyouwouldhavebeencalledaYoungPerson，anditwouldhavebeenyourchiefdutyinlifenottoknow，nevertohaveheardof，andnevertounderstand。"

"There’squiteenoughstill，"saidAnnVeronica，smiling，"thatonedoesn’tunderstand。"

"Quite。Butyourrolewouldhavebeentogoaboutsaying，’Ibegyourpardon’inareprovingtonetothingsyouunderstoodquitewellinyourheartandsawnoharmin。ThatterribleYoungPerson！she’svanished。Lost，stolen，orstrayed，theYoungPerson！……Ihopewemayneverfindheragain。"

Herejoicedoverthisemancipation。"Whilethatlambwasabouteverymanofanyspiritwasregardedasadangerouswolf。Weworeinvisiblechainsandinvisibleblinkers。Now，youandIcangossipatagate，and{}Honisoitquimalypense。Thechangehasgivenmanonegoodthingheneverhadbefore，"hesaid。"Girlfriends。AndIamcomingtobelievethebestaswellasthemostbeautifulfriendsamancanhavearegirlfriends。"

Hepaused，andwenton，afterakeenlookather:

"Ihadrathergossiptoareallyintelligentgirlthantoanymanalive。"

"IsupposeweAREmorefreethanwewere？"saidAnnVeronica，keepingthequestiongeneral。

"Oh，there’snodoubtofit！Sincethegirlsoftheeightiesbrokeboundsandsailedawayonbicycles——myyoungdaysgobacktotheverybeginningsofthat——it’sbeenonetriumphantrelaxation。"

"Relaxation，perhaps。Butareweanymorefree？"

"Well？"

"Imeanwe’velongstringstotetherus，butweareboundallthesame。Awomanisn’tmuchfreer——inreality。"

Mr。Ramagedemurred。

"Onerunsabout，"saidAnnVeronica。

"Yes。"

"Butit’sonconditiononedoesn’tdoanything。"

"Dowhat？"

"Oh！——anything。"

Helookedinterrogationwithafaintsmile。

"Itseemstomeitcomestoearningone’slivinginthelongrun，"saidAnnVeronica，coloringfaintly。"Untilagirlcangoawayasasondoesandearnherindependentincome，she’sstillonastring。Itmaybealongstring，longenoughifyouliketotangleupallsortsofpeople；butthereitis！Ifthepaymasterpulls，homeshemustgo。That’swhatImean。"

Mr。Ramageadmittedtheforceofthat。HewasalittleimpressedbyAnnVeronica’smetaphorofthestring，which，indeed，sheowedtoHettyWidgett。"YOUwouldn’tliketobeindependent？"heasked，abruptly。"ImeanREALLYindependent。Onyourown。Itisn’tsuchfunasitseems。"

"Everyonewantstobeindependent，"saidAnnVeronica。"Everyone。Manorwoman。"

"Andyou？"

"Rather！"

"Iwonderwhy？"

"There’snowhy。It’sjusttofeel——oneownsone’sself。"

"Nobodydoesthat，"saidRamage，andkeptsilenceforamoment。

"Butaboy——aboygoesoutintotheworldandpresentlystandsonhisownfeet。Hebuyshisownclothes，chooseshisowncompany，makeshisownwayofliving。"

"You’dliketodothat？"

"Exactly。"

"Wouldyouliketobeaboy？"

"Iwonder！It’soutofthequestion，anyway。"

Ramagereflected。"Whydon’tyou？"

"Well，itmightmeanratherarow。"

"Iknow——"saidRamage，withsympathy。

"Andbesides，"saidAnnVeronica，sweepingthataspectaside，"whatcouldIdo？Aboysailsoutintoatradeorprofession。

But——it’soneofthethingsI’vejustbeenthinkingover。

Suppose——supposeagirldidwanttostartinlife，startinlifeforherself——"Shelookedhimfranklyintheeyes。"Whatoughtshetodo？"

"Supposeyou——"

"Yes，supposeI——"

Hefeltthathisadvicewasbeingasked。Hebecamealittlemorepersonalandintimate。"Iwonderwhatyoucoulddo？"hesaid。

"IshouldthinkYOUcoulddoallsortsofthings……

"Whatoughtyoutodo？"Hebegantoproducehisknowledgeoftheworldforherbenefit，jerkilyandallusively，andwithastrong，rankflavorof"savoirfaire。"Hetookanoptimistviewofherchances。AnnVeronicalistenedthoughtfully，withhereyesontheturf，andnowandthensheaskedaquestionorlookeduptodiscussapoint。Inthemeanwhile，ashetalked，hescrutinizedherface，ranhiseyesoverhercareless，graciouspoise，wonderedhardabouther。Hedescribedherprivatelytohimselfasasplendidgirl。Itwasclearshewantedtogetawayfromhome，thatshewasimpatienttogetawayfromhome。Why？Whilethefrontofhismindwasbusywarninghernottofallintothehopelessmiseriesofunderpaidteaching，andexplaininghisideathatforwomenofinitiative，quiteasmuchasformen，theworldofbusinesshadbyfarthebestchances，thebackchambersofhisbrainwerebusywiththeproblemofthat"Why？"

Hisfirstideaasamanoftheworldwastoexplainherunrestbyalover，somesecretorforbiddenorimpossiblelover。Buthedismissedthatbecausethenshewouldaskherloverandnothimallthesethings。Restlessness，then，wasthetrouble，simplerestlessness:homeboredher。HecouldquiteunderstandthedaughterofMr。Stanleybeingboredandfeelinglimited。Butwasthatenough？Dim，formlesssuspicionsofsomethingmorevitalwanderedabouthismind。Wastheyoungladyimpatientforexperience？Wassheadventurous？Asamanoftheworldhedidnotthinkitbecomingtoacceptmaidenlycalmasanythingmorethanamask。Warmlifewasbehindthatalways，evenifitslept。

Ifitwasnotanactualpersonallover，itstillmightbethelovernotyetincarnate，notyetperhapssuspected……

Hehaddivergedonlyalittlefromthetruthwhenhesaidthathischiefinterestinlifewaswomen。Itwasn’tsomuchwomenasWomanthatengagedhismind。HiswastheLatinturnofthinking；

hehadfalleninloveatthirteen，andhewasstillcapable——hepridedhimself——offallinginlove。Hisinvalidwifeandhermoneyhadbeenonlythethinthreadthatheldhislifetogether；

beadedonthatpermanentrelationhadbeenaninter-weavingseriesofotherfeminineexperiences，disturbing，absorbing，interesting，memorableaffairs。Eachonehadbeendifferentfromtheothers，eachhadhadaqualityallitsown，adistinctivefreshness，adistinctivebeauty。Hecouldnotunderstandhowmencouldliveignoringthisonepredominantinterest，thiswonderfulresearchintopersonalityandthepossibilitiesofpleasing，thesecomplex，fascinatingexpeditionsthatbeganininterestandmountedtothesupremest，mostpassionateintimacy。Alltherestofhisexistencewassubordinatetothispursuit；helivedforit，workedforit，kepthimselfintrainingforit。

Sowhilehetalkedtothisgirlofworkandfreedom，hisslightlyprotuberanteyeswerenotingthegraciousbalanceofherlimbsandbodyacrossthegate，thefinelinesofherchinandneck。

Hergravefineface，herwarmclearcomplexion，hadalreadyarousedhiscuriosityashehadgonetoandfroinMorningsidePark，andheresuddenlyhewasneartoherandtalkingfreelyandintimately。Hehadfoundherinacommunicativemood，andheusedtheaccumulatedskillofyearsinturningthattoaccount。

Shewaspleasedandalittleflatteredbyhisinterestandsympathy。Shebecameeagertoexplainherself，toshowherselfintherightlight。Hewasmanifestlyexertinghismindforher，andshefoundherselffullydisposedtojustifyhisinterest。

She，perhaps，displayedherselfratherconsciouslyasafinepersonundulylimited。Sheeventouchedlightlyonherfather’sunreasonableness。

"Iwonder，"saidRamage，"thatmoregirlsdon’tthinkasyoudoandwanttostrikeoutintheworld。"

Andthenhespeculated。"Iwonderifyouwill？"

"Letmesayonething，"hesaid。"IfeveryoudoandIcanhelpyouinanyway，byadviceorinquiryorrecommendation——Yousee，I’mnobelieverinfeminineincapacity，butIdoperceivethereissuchathingasfeminineinexperience。Asasexyou’realittleunder-trained——inaffairs。I’dtakeit——forgivemeifI

seemalittleurgent——asasortofproofoffriendliness。Icanimaginenothingmorepleasantinlifethantohelpyou，becauseI

knowitwouldpaytohelpyou。There’ssomethingaboutyou，alittleflavorofWill，Isuppose，thatmakesonefeel——goodluckaboutyouandsuccess……"

Andwhilehetalkedandwatchedherashetalked，sheanswered，andbehindherlisteningwatchedandthoughtabouthim。Shelikedtheanimatedeagernessofhismanner。

Hismindseemedtobearemarkablyfullone；hisknowledgeofdetailedrealitycameinjustwhereherownmindwasmostweaklyequipped。Throughallhesaidranonequalitythatpleasedher——thequalityofamanwhofeelsthatthingscanbedone，thatoneneednotwaitfortheworldtopushonebeforeonemoved。

ComparedwithherfatherandMr。Manningandthemenin"fixed"

positionsgenerallythatsheknew，Ramage，presentedbyhimself，hadafinesuggestionoffreedom，ofpower，ofdeliberateandsustainedadventure……

Shewasparticularlycharmedbyhistheoryorfriendship。Itwasreallyveryjollytotalktoamaninthisway——whosawthewomaninheranddidnottreatherasachild。Shewasinclinedtothinkthatperhapsforagirltheconverseofhismethodwasthecase；anolderman，amanbeyondtherangeofanything"nonsensical，"was，perhaps，themostinterestingsortoffriendonecouldmeet。Butinthatreservationitmaybeshewentalittlebeyondtheconverseofhisview……

Theygotonwonderfullywelltogether。Theytalkedforthebetterpartofanhour，andatlastwalkedtogethertothejunctionofhighroadandthebridle-path。There，afterprotestationsoffriendlinessandhelpfulnessthatwerealmostardent，hemountedalittleclumsilyandrodeoffatanamiablepace，lookinghisbest，makingalegwithhisridinggaiters，smilingandsaluting，whileAnnVeronicaturnednorthwardandsocametoMicklechesil。There，inalittleteaandsweet-stuffshop，sheboughtandconsumedslowlyandabsent-mindedlytheinsufficientnourishmentthatisnaturaltohersexonsuchoccasions。

CHAPTERTHEFOURTH

THECRISIS