第3章
Part1
WeleftMissStanleywithAnnVeronica’sfancydressinherhandsandhereyesdirectedtoAnnVeronica’spseudo-Turkishslippers。
WhenMr。Stanleycamehomeataquartertosix——anearliertrainbyfifteenminutesthanheaffected——hissistermethiminthehallwithahushedexpression。"I’msogladyou’rehere，Peter，"
shesaid。"Shemeanstogo。"
"Go！"hesaid。"Where？"
"Tothatball。"
"Whatball？"Thequestionwasrhetorical。Heknew。
"Ibelieveshe’sdressingup-stairs——now。"
"Thentellhertoundress，confoundher！"TheCityhadbeenthoroughlyannoyingthatday，andhewasangryfromtheoutset。
MissStanleyreflectedonthisproposalforamoment。
"Idon’tthinkshewill，"shesaid。
"Shemust，"saidMr。Stanley，andwentintohisstudy。Hissisterfollowed。"Shecan’tgonow。She’llhavetowaitfordinner，"hesaid，uncomfortably。
"She’sgoingtohavesomesortofmealwiththeWidgettsdowntheAvenue，andgoupwiththem。
"Shetoldyouthat？"
"Yes。"
"When？"
"Attea。"
"Butwhydidn’tyouprohibitonceforallthewholething？Howdaredshetellyouthat？"
"Outofdefiance。Shejustsatandtoldmethatwasherarrangement。I’veneverseenherquitesosureofherself。"
"Whatdidyousay？"
"Isaid，’MydearVeronica！howcanyouthinkofsuchthings？’"
"Andthen？"
"Shehadtwomorecupsofteaandsomecake，andtoldmeofherwalk。"
"She’llmeetsomebodyoneofthesedays——walkingaboutlikethat。"
"Shedidn’tsayshe’dmetanyone。"
"Butdidn’tyousaysomemoreaboutthatball？"
"IsaideverythingIcouldsayassoonasIrealizedshewastryingtoavoidthetopic。Isaid，’ItisnouseyourtellingmeaboutthiswalkandpretendI’vebeentoldabouttheball，becauseyouhaven’t。Yourfatherhasforbiddenyoutogo！’"
"Well？"
"Shesaid，’Ihatebeinghorridtoyouandfather，butIfeelitmydutytogotothatball！’"
"Feltitherduty！"
"’Verywell，’Isaid，’thenIwashmyhandsofthewholebusiness。Yourdisobediencebeuponyourownhead。’"
"Butthatisflatrebellion！"saidMr。Stanley，standingonthehearthrugwithhisbacktotheunlitgas-fire。"Yououghtatonce——yououghtatoncetohavetoldherthat。Whatdutydoesagirlowetoanyonebeforeherfather？Obediencetohim，thatissurelythefirstlaw。WhatCANsheputbeforethat？"Hisvoicebegantorise。"OnewouldthinkIhadsaidnothingaboutthematter。OnewouldthinkIhadagreedtohergoing。IsupposethisiswhatshelearnsinherinfernalLondoncolleges。I
supposethisisthesortofdamnedrubbish——"
"Oh！Ssh，Peter！"criedMissStanley。
Hestoppedabruptly。Inthepauseadoorcouldbeheardopeningandclosingonthelandingup-stairs。Thenlightfootstepsbecameaudible，descendingthestaircasewithacertaindeliberationandafaintrustleofskirts。
"Tellher，"saidMr。Stanley，withanimperiousgesture，"tocomeinhere。"
Part2
MissStanleyemergedfromthestudyandstoodwatchingAnnVeronicadescend。
Thegirlwasflushedwithexcitement，bright-eyed，andbracedforastruggle；heraunthadneverseenherlookingsofineorsopretty。Herfancydress，saveforthegreen-graystockings，thepseudo-Turkishslippers，andbaggysilktrouseredendsnaturaltoaCorsair’sbride，washiddeninalargeblack-silk-hoodedopera-cloak。Beneaththehooditwasevidentthatherrebellioushairwasboundupwithredsilk，andfastenedbysomedeviceinherears(unlessshehadthempierced，whichwastoodreadfulathingtosuppose！)werelongbrassfiligreeearrings。
"I’mjustoff，aunt，"saidAnnVeronica。
"Yourfatherisinthestudyandwishestospeaktoyou。"
AnnVeronicahesitated，andthenstoodintheopendoorwayandregardedherfather’ssternpresence。Shespokewithanentirelyfalsenoteofcheerfuloff-handedness。"I’mjustintimetosaygood-byebeforeIgo，father。I’mgoinguptoLondonwiththeWidgettstothatball。"
"Nowlookhere，AnnVeronica，"saidMr。Stanley，"justamoment。
YouareNOTgoingtothatball！"
AnnVeronicatriedalessgenial，moredignifiednote。
"Ithoughtwehaddiscussedthat，father。"
"Youarenotgoingtothatball！Youarenotgoingoutofthishouseinthatget-up！"
AnnVeronicatriedyetmoreearnestlytotreathim，asshewouldtreatanyman，withaninsistenceuponherdueofmasculinerespect。"Yousee，"shesaid，verygently，"IAMgoing。Iamsorrytoseemtodisobeyyou，butIam。Iwish"——shefoundshehadembarkedonabadsentence——"Iwishweneedn’thavequarrelled。"
Shestoppedabruptly，andturnedabouttowardthefrontdoor。Inamomenthewasbesideher。"Idon’tthinkyoucanhaveheardme，Vee，"hesaid，withintenselycontrolledfury。"Isaidyouwere"——heshouted——"NOTTOGO！"
Shemade，andoverdid，animmenseefforttobeaprincess。Shetossedherhead，and，havingnofurtherwords，movedtowardthedoor。Herfatherinterceptedher，andforamomentsheandhestruggledwiththeirhandsuponthelatch。Acommonrageflushedtheirfaces。"Letgo！"shegaspedathim，ablazeofanger。
"Veronica！"criedMissStanley，warningly，and，"Peter！"
Foramomenttheyseemedonthevergeofanaltogetherdesperatescuffle。Neverforamomenthadviolencecomebetweenthesetwosincelongagohehad，inspiteofhermother’sprotestinthebackground，carriedherkickingandsquallingtothenurseryforsomeforgottencrime。Withsomethingneartohorrortheyfoundthemselvesthusconfronted。
Thedoorwasfastenedbyacatchandalatchwithaninsidekey，towhichatnightachainandtwoboltswereadded。Carefullyabstainingfromthrustingagainsteachother，AnnVeronicaandherfatherbegananabsurdlydesperatestruggle，theonetoopenthedoor，theothertokeepitfastened。Sheseizedthekey，andhegraspedherhandandsqueezeditroughlyandpainfullybetweenthehandleandthewardasshetriedtoturnit。Hisgriptwistedherwrist。Shecriedoutwiththepainofit。
Awildpassionofshameandself-disgustsweptoverher。Herspiritawokeindismaytoanaffectioninruins，totheimmenseundignifieddisasterthathadcometothem。
Abruptlyshedesisted，recoiled，andturnedandfledup-stairs。
Shemadenoisesbetweenweepingandlaughterasshewent。Shegainedherroom，andslammedherdoorandlockeditasthoughshefearedviolenceandpursuit。
"OhGod！"shecried，"OhGod！"andflungasideheropera-cloak，andforatimewalkedabouttheroom——aCorsair’sbrideatacrisisofemotion。"Whycan’thereasonwithme，"shesaid，againandagain，"insteadofdoingthis？"
Part3
Therepresentlycameaphaseinwhichshesaid:"IWON’Tstanditevennow。Iwillgoto-night。"
Shewentasfarasherdoor，thenturnedtothewindow。Sheopenedthisandscrambledout——athingshehadnotdoneforfivelongyearsofadolescence——upontheleadedspaceabovethebuilt-outbath-roomonthefirstfloor。OnceuponatimesheandRoddyhaddescendedthencebythedrain-pipe。
Butthingsthatagirlofsixteenmaydoinshortskirtsarenotthingstobedonebyayoungladyoftwenty-oneinfancydressandanopera-cloak，andjustasshewascomingunaidedtoanadequaterealizationofthis，shediscoveredMr。Pragmar，thewholesaledruggist，wholivedthreegardensaway，andwhohadbeenmowinghislawntogetanappetitefordinner，standinginafascinatedattitudebesidetheforgottenlawn-mowerandwatchingherintently。
Shefounditextremelydifficulttoinfuseanairofquietcorrectitudeintoherreturnthroughthewindow，andwhenshewassafelyinsideshewavedclinchedfistsandexecutedanoiselessdanceofrage。
WhenshereflectedthatMr。PragmarprobablyknewMr。Ramage，andmightdescribetheaffairtohim，shecried"Oh！"withrenewedvexation，andrepeatedsomestepsofherdanceinanewandmoreecstaticmeasure。
Part4
AteightthateveningMissStanleytappedatAnnVeronica’sbedroomdoor。
"I’vebroughtyouupsomedinner，Vee，"shesaid。
AnnVeronicawaslyingonherbedinadarklingroomstaringattheceiling。Shereflectedbeforeanswering。Shewasfrightfullyhungry。Shehadeatenlittleornotea，andhermid-daymealhadbeenworsethannothing。
Shegotupandunlockedthedoor。
Herauntdidnotobjecttocapitalpunishmentorwar，ortheindustrialsystemorcasualwards，orfloggingofcriminalsortheCongoFreeState，becausenoneofthesethingsreallygotholdofherimagination；butshedidobject，shedidnotlike，shecouldnotbeartothinkofpeoplenothavingandenjoyingtheirmeals。Itwasherdistinctivetestofanemotionalstate，itsinterferencewithakindlynormaldigestion。Anyoneverybadlymovedchokeddownafewmouthfuls；thesymptomofsupremedistresswasnottobeabletotouchabit。SothatthethoughtofAnnVeronicaup-stairshadbeenextremelypainfulforherthroughallthesilentdinner-timethatnight。Assoonasdinnerwasovershewentintothekitchenanddevotedherselftocompilingatray——notatraymerelyofhalf-cooleddinnerthings，butaspeciallyprepared"nice"tray，suitablefortemptinganyone。Withthisshenowentered。
AnnVeronicafoundherselfinthepresenceofthemostdisconcertingfactinhumanexperience，thekindlinessofpeopleyoubelievetobethoroughlywrong。Shetookthetraywithbothhands，gulped，andgavewaytotears。
Herauntleapedunhappilytothethoughtofpenitence。
"Mydear，"shebegan，withanaffectionatehandonAnnVeronica’sshoulder，"IdoSOwishyouwouldrealizehowitgrievesyourfather。"
AnnVeronicaflungawayfromherhand，andthepepper-potonthetrayupset，sendingapuffofpepperintotheairandinstantlyfillingthembothwithanintensedesiretosneeze。
"Idon’tthinkyousee，"shereplied，withtearsonhercheeks，andherbrowsknitting，"howitshamesand，ah！——disgracesme——AH
TISHU！"
Sheputdownthetraywithaconcussiononhertoilet-table。
"But，dear，think！Heisyourfather。SHOOH！"
"That’snoreason，"saidAnnVeronica，speakingthroughherhandkerchiefandstoppingabruptly。
Nieceandauntregardedeachotherforamomentovertheirpocket-handkerchiefswithwaterybutantagonisticeyes，eachfartooprofoundlymovedtoseetheabsurdityoftheposition。
"Ihope，"saidMissStanley，withdignity，andturneddoorwardwithfeaturesincivilwarfare。"Betterstateofmind，"shegasped……
AnnVeronicastoodinthetwilightroomstaringatthedoorthathadslammeduponheraunt，herpocket-handkerchiefrolledtightlyinherhand。Hersoulwasfullofthesenseofdisaster。Shehadmadeherfirstfightfordignityandfreedomasagrown-upandindependentPerson，andthiswashowtheuniversehadtreatedher。Ithadneithersuccumbedtohernorwrathfullyoverwhelmedher。Ithadthrustherbackwithanundignifiedscuffle，withvulgarcomedy，withanunendurable，scornfulgrin。
"ByGod！"saidAnnVeronicaforthefirsttimeinherlife。"ButIwill！Iwill！"
CHAPTERTHEFIFTH
THEFLIGHTTOLONDON
Part1
AnnVeronicahadanimpressionthatshedidnotsleepatallthatnight，andatanyrateshegotthroughanimmenseamountoffeverishfeelingandthinking。
Whatwasshegoingtodo？
Onemainideapossessedher:shemustgetawayfromhome，shemustassertherselfatonceorperish。"Verywell，"shewouldsay，"thenImustgo。"Toremain，shefelt，wastoconcedeeverything。Andshewouldhavetogoto-morrow。Itwasclearitmustbeto-morrow。Ifshedelayedadayshewoulddelaytwodays，ifshedelayedtwodaysshewoulddelayaweek，andafteraweekthingswouldbeadjustedtosubmissionforever。"I’llgo，"
shevowedtothenight，"orI’lldie！"Shemadeplansandestimatedmeansandresources。Theseandhergeneralpreparationshadperhapsacertaindisproportion。Shehadagoldwatch，averygoodgoldwatchthathadbeenhermother’s，apearlnecklacethatwasalsoprettygood，someunpretendingrings，somesilverbanglesandafewothersuchinferiortrinkets，threepoundsthirteenshillingsunspentofherdressandbookallowanceandafewgoodsalablebooks。Soequipped，sheproposedtosetupaseparateestablishmentintheworld。
Andthenshewouldfindwork。
Formostofalongandfluctuatingnightshewasfairlyconfidentthatshewouldfindwork；sheknewherselftobestrong，intelligent，andcapablebythestandardsofmostofthegirlssheknew。Shewasnotquiteclearhowsheshouldfindit，butshefeltshewould。Thenshewouldwriteandtellherfatherwhatshehaddone，andputtheirrelationshiponanewfooting。
Thatwashowsheprojectedit，andingeneraltermsitseemedplausibleandpossible。Butinbetweenthesewiderphasesofcomparativeconfidenceweregapsofdisconcertingdoubt，whentheuniversewaspresentedasmakingsinisterandthreateningfacesather，defyinghertodefy，preparingahumiliatingandshamefuloverthrow。"Idon’tcare，"saidAnnVeronicatothedarkness；
"I’llfightit。"
Shetriedtoplanherproceedingsindetail。TheonlydifficultiesthatpresentedthemselvesclearlytoherwerethedifficultiesofgettingawayfromMorningsidePark，andnotthedifficultiesattheotherendofthejourney。Theseweresooutsideherexperiencethatshefounditpossibletothrustthemalmostoutofsightbysayingtheywouldbe"allright"inconfidenttonestoherself。Butstillsheknewtheywerenotright，andattimestheybecameahorribleobsessionasofsomethingwaitingforherroundthecorner。Shetriedtoimagineherself"gettingsomething，"toprojectherselfassittingdownatadeskandwriting，orasreturningafterherworktosomepleasantlyequippedandfreeandindependentflat。Foratimeshefurnishedtheflat。Butevenwiththatfurnitureitremainedextremelyvague，thepossiblegoodandthepossibleevilaswell！
Thepossibleevil！"I’llgo，"saidAnnVeronicaforthehundredthtime。"I’llgo。Idon’tcareWHAThappens。"
Sheawokeoutofadoze，asthoughshehadneverbeensleeping。
Itwastimetogetup。
Shesatontheedgeofherbedandlookedabouther，atherroom，attherowofblack-coveredbooksandthepig’sskull。"Imusttakethem，"shesaid，tohelpherselfoverherownincredulity。
"HowshallIgetmyluggageoutofthehouse？……"
Thefigureofheraunt，alittledistant，alittlepropitiatory，behindthecoffeethings，filledherwithasenseofalmostcatastrophicadventure。Perhapsshemightnevercomebacktothatbreakfast-roomagain。Never！Perhapssomeday，quitesoon，shemightregretthatbreakfast-room。Shehelpedherselftotheremainderoftheslightlycongealedbacon，andrevertedtotheproblemofgettingherluggageoutofthehouse。ShedecidedtocallinthehelpofTeddyWidgett，or，failinghim，ofoneofhissisters。
Part2
ShefoundtheyoungergenerationoftheWidgettsengagedinlanguidreminiscences，andall，astheyexpressedit，a"bitdecayed。"EveryonebecametremendouslyanimatedwhentheyheardthatAnnVeronicahadfailedthembecauseshehadbeen，assheexpressedit，"lockedin。"
"MyGod！"saidTeddy，moreimpressivelythanever。
"Butwhatareyougoingtodo？"askedHetty。
"Whatcanonedo？"askedAnnVeronica。"Wouldyoustandit？I’mgoingtoclearout。"
"Clearout？"criedHetty。
"GotoLondon，"saidAnnVeronica。
Shehadexpectedsympatheticadmiration，butinsteadthewholeWidgettfamily，exceptTeddy，expressedacommondismay。"Buthowcanyou？"askedConstance。"Whowillyoustopwith？"
"Ishallgoonmyown。Takearoom！"
"Isay！"saidConstance。"Butwho’sgoingtopayfortheroom？"
"I’vegotmoney，"saidAnnVeronica。"Anythingisbetterthanthis——thisstifledlifedownhere。"AndseeingthatHettyandConstancewereobviouslydevelopingobjections，sheplungedatonceintoademandforhelp。"I’vegotnothingintheworldtopackwithexceptatoysizeportmanteau。Canyoulendmesomestuff？"
"YouAREachap！"saidConstance，andwarmedonlyslowlyfromtheideaofdissuasiontotheideaofhelp。Buttheydidwhattheycouldforher。Theyagreedtolendhertheirhold-allandalarge，formlessbagwhichtheycalledthecommunaltrunk。AndTeddydeclaredhimselfreadytogototheendsoftheearthforher，andcarryherluggagealltheway。
Hetty，lookingoutofthewindow——shealwayssmokedherafter-breakfastcigaretteatthewindowforthebenefitofthelessadvancedsectionofMorningsideParksociety——andtryingnottoraiseobjections，sawMissStanleygoingdowntowardtheshops。
"Ifyoumustgoonwithit，"saidHetty，"now’syourtime。"AndAnnVeronicaatoncewentbackwiththehold-all，tryingnottohurryindecentlybuttokeepupherdignifiedairofbeingawrongedpersondoingtherightthingatasmarttrot，topack。
Teddywentroundbythegardenbacksanddroppedthebagoverthefence。Allthiswasexcitingandentertaining。Herauntreturnedbeforethepackingwasdone，andAnnVeronicalunchedwithanuneasysenseofbagandhold-allpackedup-stairsandinadequatelyhiddenfromchanceintrudersbythevalanceofthebed。Shewentdown，flushedandlight-hearted，totheWidgetts’
afterlunchtomakesomefinalarrangementsandthen，assoonasheraunthadretiredtoliedownforherusualdigestivehour，tooktheriskoftheservantshavingtheenterprisetoreportherproceedingsandcarriedherbagandhold-alltothegardengate，whenceTeddy，inastateofecstaticservice，borethemtotherailwaystation。Thenshewentup-stairsagain，dressedherselfcarefullyfortown，putonhermostbusinesslike-lookinghat，andwithawaveofemotionshefoundithardtocontrol，walkeddowntocatchthe3。17up-train。
Teddyhandedherintothesecond-classcompartmentherseason-ticketwarranted，anddeclaredshewas"simplysplendid。"
"Ifyouwantanything，"hesaid，"orgetintoanytrouble，wireme。I’dcomebackfromtheendsoftheearth。I’ddoanything，Vee。It’shorribletothinkofyou！"
"You’reanawfulbrick，Teddy！"shesaid。
"Whowouldn’tbeforyou？"
Thetrainbegantomove。"You’resplendid！"saidTeddy，withhishairwildinthewind。"Goodluck！Goodluck！"
Shewavedfromthewindowuntilthebendhidhim。
Shefoundherselfaloneinthetrainaskingherselfwhatshemustdonext，andtryingnottothinkofherselfascutofffromhomeoranyrefugewhateverfromtheworldshehadresolvedtoface。
Shefeltsmallerandmoreadventurouseventhanshehadexpectedtofeel。"Letmesee，"shesaidtoherself，tryingtocontrolaslightsinkingoftheheart，"Iamgoingtotakearoominalodging-housebecausethatischeaper……ButperhapsIhadbettergetaroominanhotelto-nightandlookround……
"It’sboundtobeallright，"shesaid。
Butherheartkeptonsinking。Whathotelshouldshegoto？Ifshetoldacabmantodrivetoanhotel，anyhotel，whatwouldhedo——orsay？Hemightdrivetosomethingdreadfullyexpensive，andnotatallthequietsortofthingsherequired。Finallyshedecidedthatevenforanhotelshemustlookround，andthatmeanwhileshewould"book"herluggageatWaterloo。Shetoldtheportertotakeittothebooking-office，anditwasonlyafteradisconcertingmomentorsothatshefoundsheoughttohavedirectedhimtogotothecloak-room。Butthatwassoonputright，andshewalkedoutintoLondonwithapeculiarexaltationofmind，anexaltationthatpartookofpanicanddefiance，butwaschieflyasenseofvastunexampledrelease。
Sheinhaledadeepbreathofair——Londonair。
Part3
Shedismissedthefirsthotelsshepassed，shescarcelyknewwhy，mainlyperhapsfromthemeredreadofenteringthem，andcrossedWaterlooBridgeataleisurelypace。Itwashighafternoon，therewasnogreatthrongoffoot-passengers，andmanyaneyefromomnibusandpavementrestedgratefullyonherfresh，trimpresenceasshepassedyounganderect，withthelightofdeterminationshiningthroughthequietself-possessionofherface。ShewasdressedasEnglishgirlsdodressfortown，withouteithercoquetryorharshness:hercollarlessblouseconfessedaprettyneck，hereyeswerebrightandsteady，andherdarkhairwavedlooselyandgraciouslyoverherears……
Itseemedatfirstthemostbeautifulafternoonofalltimetoher，andperhapsthethrillofherexcitementdidaddadistinctiveandculminatingkeennesstotheday。Theriver，thebigbuildingsonthenorthbank，Westminster，andSt。Paul’s，wererichandwonderfulwiththesoftsunshineofLondon，thesoftest，thefinestgrained，themostpenetratingandleastemphaticsunshineintheworld。TheverycartsandvansandcabsthatWellingtonStreetpouredoutincessantlyuponthebridgeseemedripeandgoodinhereyes。Atrafficofcopiousbargesslumberedoverthefaceoftheriver-bargeseitheraltogetherstagnantordreamingalonginthewakeoffussytugs；andabovecircled，urbanelyvoracious，theLondonseagulls。Shehadneverbeentherebeforeatthathour，inthatlight，anditseemedtoherasifshecametoitallforthefirsttime。Andthisgreatmellowplace，thisLondon，nowwashers，tostrugglewith，togowhereshepleasedin，toovercomeandlivein。"Iamglad，"shetoldherself，"Icame。"
ShemarkedanhotelthatseemedneitheropulentnoroddinalittlesidestreetopeningontheEmbankment，madeuphermindwithaneffort，and，returningbyHungerfordBridgetoWaterloo，tookacabtothischosenrefugewithhertwopiecesofluggage。
Therewasjustaminute’shesitationbeforetheygaveheraroom。
Theyoungladyinthebureausaidshewouldinquire，andAnnVeronica，whilesheaffectedtoreadtheappealonahospitalcollecting-boxuponthebureaucounter，hadadisagreeablesenseofbeingsurveyedfrombehindbyasmall，whiskeredgentlemaninafrock-coat，whocameoutoftheinnerofficeandintothehallamonganumberofequallyobservantgreenporterstolookatherandherbags。Butthesurveywassatisfactory，andshefoundherselfpresentlyinRoomNo。47，straighteningherhatandwaitingforherluggagetoappear。
"Allrightsofar，"shesaidtoherself……
Part4
Butpresently，asshesatontheoneantimacassaredredsilkchairandsurveyedherhold-allandbaginthattidy，rathervacant，anddehumanizedapartment，withitsemptywardrobeanddeserttoilet-tableandpicturelesswallsandstereotypedfurnishings，asuddenblanknesscameuponherasthoughshedidn’tmatter，andhadbeenthrustawayintothisimpersonalcorner，sheandhergear……
ShedecidedtogooutintotheLondonafternoonagainandgetsomethingtoeatinanAeratedBreadshoporsomesuchplace，andperhapsfindacheaproomforherself。Ofcoursethatwaswhatshehadtodo；shehadtofindacheaproomforherselfandwork！
ThisRoomNo。47wasnomorethanasortofrailwaycompartmentonthewaytothat。
Howdoesonegetwork？
ShewalkedalongtheStrandandacrossTrafalgarSquare，andbytheHaymarkettoPiccadilly，andsothroughdignifiedsquaresandpalatialalleystoOxfordStreet；andhermindwasdividedbetweenaspeculativetreatmentofemploymentontheonehand，andbreezes——zephyrbreezes——ofthekeenestappreciationforLondon，ontheother。ThejollypartofitwasthatforthefirsttimeinherlifesofarasLondonwasconcerned，shewasnotgoinganywhereinparticular；forthefirsttimeinherlifeitseemedtohershewastakingLondonin。
Shetriedtothinkhowpeoplegetwork。Oughtshetowalkintosomeoftheseplacesandtellthemwhatshecoulddo？Shehesitatedatthewindowofashipping-officeinCockspurStreetandattheArmyandNavyStores，butdecidedthatperhapstherewouldbesomespecialandcustomaryhour，andthatitwouldbebetterforhertofindthisoutbeforeshemadeherattempt。And，besides，shedidn’tjustimmediatelywanttomakeherattempt。
Shefellintoapleasantdreamofpositionsandwork。Behindeveryoneofthesemyriadfrontsshepassedtheremustbeacareerorcareers。Herideasofwomen’semploymentandamodernwoman’sposeinlifewerebasedlargelyonthefigureofVivieWarreninMrs。Warren’sProfession。ShehadseenMrs。Warren’sProfessionfurtivelywithHettyWidgettfromthegalleryofaStageSocietyperformanceoneMondayafternoon。Mostofithadbeenincomprehensibletoher，orcomprehensibleinawaythatcheckedfurthercuriosity，butthefigureofVivien，hard，capable，successful，andbullying，andorderingaboutaveritableTeddyinthepersonofFrankGardner，appealedtoher。ShesawherselfinverymuchVivie’sposition——managingsomething。
HerthoughtsweredeflectedfromVivieWarrenbythepeculiarbehaviorofamiddle-agedgentlemaninPiccadilly。HeappearedsuddenlyfromtheinfiniteintheneighborhoodoftheBurlingtonArcade，crossingthepavementtowardherandwithhiseyesuponher。Heseemedtoherindistinguishablyaboutherfather’sage。
Heworeasilkhatalittletilted，andamorningcoatbuttonedroundatight，containedfigure；andawhiteslipgaveafinishtohiscostumeandendorsedthequietdistinctionofhistie。
Hisfacewasalittleflushedperhaps，andhissmall，browneyeswerebright。Hestoppedonthecurb-stone，notfacingherbutasifhewasonhiswaytocrosstheroad，andspoketohersuddenlyoverhisshoulder。
"Whitheraway？"hesaid，verydistinctlyinacuriouslywheedlingvoice。AnnVeronicastaredathisfoolish，propitiatorysmile，hishungrygaze，throughonemomentofamazement，thensteppedasideandwentonherwaywithaquickenedstep。Buthermindwasruffled，anditsmirror-likesurfaceofsatisfactionwasnoteasilyrestored。
Queeroldgentleman！
Theartofignoringisoneoftheaccomplishmentsofeverywell-bredgirl，socarefullyinstilledthatatlastshecanevenignoreherownthoughtsandherownknowledge。AnnVeronicacouldatthesametimeaskherselfwhatthisqueeroldgentlemancouldhavemeantbyspeakingtoher，andknow——knowingeneralterms，atleast——whatthataccostingsignified。Abouther，asshehadgonedaybydaytoandfromtheTredgoldCollege，shehadseenandnotseenmanyanincidentalaspectofthosesidesoflifeaboutwhichgirlsareexpectedtoknownothing，aspectsthatwereextraordinarilyrelevanttoherownpositionandoutlookontheworld，andyetbyconventionineffablyremote。Forallthatshewasofexceptionalintellectualenterprise，shehadneveryetconsideredthesethingswithunavertedeyes。Shehadviewedthemaskance，andwithoutexchangingideaswithanyoneelseintheworldaboutthem。
Shewentonherwaynownolongerdreamingandappreciative，butdisturbedandunwillinglyobservantbehindhermaskofserenecontentment。
Thatdelightfulsenseoffree，unembarrassedmovementwasgone。
AsshenearedthebottomofthedipinPiccadillyshesawawomanapproachingherfromtheoppositedirection——atallwomanwhoatthefirstglanceseemedaltogetherbeautifulandfine。Shecamealongwiththeflutteringassuranceofsometallship。Thenasshedrewnearerpaintshoweduponherface，andaharshpurposebehindthequietexpressionofheropencountenance，andasortofunrealityinhersplendorbetrayeditselfforwhichAnnVeronicacouldnotrecalltherightword——aword，halfunderstood，thatlurkedandhidinhermind，theword"meretricious。"Behindthiswomanandalittletothesideofher，walkedamansmartlydressed，withdesireandappraisalinhiseyes。Somethinginsistedthatthosetwoweremysteriouslylinked——thatthewomanknewthemanwasthere。
Itwasasecondreminderthatagainstherclaimtogofreeanduntrammelledtherewasacasetobemade，thatafterallitwastruethatagirldoesnotgoaloneintheworldunchallenged，noreverhasgonefreelyaloneintheworld，thatevilwalksabroadanddangers，andpettyinsultsmoreirritatingthandangers，lurk。
ItwasinthequietstreetsandsquarestowardOxfordStreetthatitfirstcameintoherheaddisagreeablythatsheherselfwasbeingfollowed。Sheobservedamanwalkingontheoppositesideofthewayandlookingtowardher。
"Botheritall！"sheswore。"Bother！"anddecidedthatthiswasnotso，andwouldnotlooktorightorleftagain。
BeyondtheCircusAnnVeronicawentintoaBritishTea-TableCompanyshoptogetsometea。Andasshewasyetwaitingforherteatocomeshesawthismanagain。Eitheritwasanunfortunaterecoveryofatrail，orhehadfollowedherfromMayfair。Therewasnomistakinghisintentionsthistime。Hecamedowntheshoplookingforherquiteobviously，andtookupapositionontheothersideagainstamirrorinwhichhewasabletoregardhersteadfastly。
BeneaththesereneunconcernofAnnVeronica’sfacewasaboilingtumult。Shewasfuriouslyangry。ShegazedwithaquietdetachmenttowardthewindowandtheOxfordStreettraffic，andinherheartshewasbusykickingthismantodeath。HeHAD
followedher！Whathadhefollowedherfor？HemusthavefollowedherallthewayfrombeyondGrosvenorSquare。
Hewasatallmanandfair，withbluisheyesthatwereratherprotuberant，andlongwhitehandsofwhichhemadeadisplay。Hehadremovedhissilkhat，andnowsatlookingatAnnVeronicaoveranuntouchedcupoftea；hesatgloatinguponher，tryingtocatchhereye。Once，whenhethoughthehaddoneso，hesmiledaningratiatingsmile。Hemoved，afterquietintervals，withaquicklittlemovement，andeverandagainstrokedhissmallmustacheandcoughedaself-consciouscough。
"Thatheshouldbeinthesameworldwithme！"saidAnnVeronica，reducedtoreadingthelistofgoodthingstheBritishTea-TableCompanyhadpricedforitspatrons。
Heavenknowswhatdimandtawdryconceptionsofpassionanddesirewereinthatblondcranium，whatromance-begottendreamsofintrigueandadventure！buttheysufficed，whenpresentlyAnnVeronicawentoutintothedarklingstreetagain，toinspireaflitting，doggedpursuit，idiotic，exasperating，indecent。
Shehadnoideawhatsheshoulddo。Ifshespoketoapolicemanshedidnotknowwhatwouldensue。Perhapsshewouldhavetochargethismanandappearinapolice-courtnextday。
Shebecameangrywithherself。Shewouldnotbedriveninbythispersistent，sneakingaggression。Shewouldignorehim。
Surelyshecouldignorehim。Shestoppedabruptly，andlookedinaflower-shopwindow。Hepassed，andcameloiteringbackandstoodbesideher，silentlylookingintoherface。
Theafternoonhadpassednowintotwilight。Theshopswerelightingupintogiganticlanternsofcolor，thestreetlampswereglowingintoexistence，andshehadlostherway。Shehadlosthersenseofdirection，andwasamongunfamiliarstreets。
Shewentonfromstreettostreet，andallthegloryofLondonhaddeparted。Againstthesinister，thethreatening，monstrousinhumanityofthelimitlesscity，therewasnothingnowbutthissupreme，uglyfactofapursuit——thepursuitoftheundesired，persistentmale。
ForasecondtimeAnnVeronicawantedtoswearattheuniverse。
Thereweremomentswhenshethoughtofturninguponthismanandtalkingtohim。Buttherewassomethinginhisfaceatoncestupidandinvinciblethattoldherhewouldgoonforcinghimselfuponher，thathewouldesteemspeechwithheragreatpointgained。Inthetwilighthehadceasedtobeapersononecouldtackleandshame；hehadbecomesomethingmoregeneral，asomethingthatcrawledandsneakedtowardherandwouldnotletheralone……
Then，whenthetensionwasgettingunendurable，andshewasonthevergeofspeakingtosomecasualpasser-byanddemandinghelp，herfollowervanished。Foratimeshecouldscarcelybelievehewasgone。Hehad。Thenighthadswallowedhimup，buthisworkonherwasdone。Shehadlosthernerve，andtherewasnomorefreedominLondonforherthatnight。Shewasgladtojoininthestreamofhurryinghomewardworkersthatwasnowwellingoutofathousandplacesofemployment，andtoimitatetheirdriven，preoccupiedhaste。ShehadfollowedabobbingwhitehatandgrayjacketuntilshereachedtheEustonRoadcornerofTottenhamCourtRoad，andthere，bythenameonabusandthecriesofaconductor，shemadeaguessofherway。Andshedidnotmerelyaffecttobedriven——shefeltdriven。Shewasafraidpeoplewouldfollowher，shewasafraidofthedark，opendoorwaysshepassed，andafraidoftheblazesoflight；shewasafraidtobealone，andsheknewnotwhatitwasshefeared。
Itwaspastsevenwhenshegotbacktoherhotel。Shethoughtthenthatshehadshakenoffthemanofthebulgingblueeyesforever，butthatnightshefoundhefollowedherintoherdreams。Hestalkedher，hestaredather，hecravedher，hesidledslinkingandpropitiatoryandyetrelentlesslytowardher，untilatlastsheawokefromthesuffocatingnightmarenearnessofhisapproach，andlayawakeinfearandhorrorlisteningtotheunaccustomedsoundsofthehotel。
Shecameverynearthatnighttoresolvingthatshewouldreturntoherhomenextmorning。Butthemorningbroughtcourageagain，andthosefirstintimationsofhorrorvanishedcompletelyfromhermind。
Part5
ShehadsentherfatheratelegramfromtheEastStrandpost-officewordedthus:
|All|is|well|with|me|
|——|——|——|——|——|
|and|quite|safe|Veronica||——
andafterwardshehaddinedalacarteuponacutlet，andhadthensetherselftowriteananswertoMr。Manning’sproposalofmarriage。Butshehadfounditverydifficult。
"DEARMR。MANNING，shehadbegun。Sofarithadbeenplainsailing，andithadseemedfairlyevidenttogoon:"Ifinditverydifficulttoansweryourletter。"
Butafterthatneitherideasnorphraseshadcomeandshehadfallenthinkingoftheeventsoftheday。Shehaddecidedthatshewouldspendthenextmorningansweringadvertisementsinthepapersthataboundedinthewriting-room；andso，afterhalfanhour’sperusalofbacknumbersoftheSketchinthedrawing-room，shehadgonetobed。
Shefoundnextmorning，whenshecametothisadvertisementanswering，thatitwasmoredifficultthanshehadsupposed。Inthefirstplacetherewerenotsomanysuitableadvertisementsasshehadexpected。Shesatdownbythepaper-rackwithageneralfeelingofresemblancetoVivieWarren，andlookedthroughtheMorningPostandStandardandTelegraph，andafterwardthehalf-pennysheets。TheMorningPostwashungryforgovernessesandnurserygovernesses，butheldoutnootherhopes；theDailyTelegraphthatmorningseemedeageronlyforskirthands。Shewenttoawriting-deskandmadesomememorandaonasheetofnote-paper，andthenrememberedthatshehadnoaddressasyettowhichletterscouldbesent。
ShedecidedtoleavethismatteruntilthemorrowanddevotethemorningtosettlingupwithMr。Manning。Atthecostofquiteanumberoftorndraftsshesucceededinevolvingthis:
"DEARMR。MANNING，——Ifinditverydifficulttoansweryourletter。Ihopeyouwon’tmindifIsayfirstthatIthinkitdoesmeanextraordinaryhonorthatyoushouldthinkofanyonelikemyselfsohighlyandseriously，and，secondly，thatIwishithadnotbeenwritten。"
Shesurveyedthissentenceforsometimebeforegoingon。"I
wonder，"shesaid，"whyonewriteshimsentenceslikethat？
It’llhavetogo，"shedecided，"I’vewrittentoomanyalready。"
Shewenton，withadesperateattempttobeeasyandcolloquial:
"Yousee，wewererathergoodfriends，Ithought，andnowperhapsitwillbedifficultforustogetbacktotheoldfriendlyfooting。ButifthatcanpossiblybedoneIwantittobedone。
Yousee，theplainfactofthecaseisthatIthinkIamtooyoungandignorantformarriage。Ihavebeenthinkingthesethingsoverlately，anditseemstomethatmarriageforagirlisjustthesupremestthinginlife。Itisn’tjustoneamonganumberofimportantthings；forheritistheimportantthing，anduntilsheknowsfarmorethanIknowofthefactsoflife，howisshetoundertakeit？Soplease；ifyouwill，forgetthatyouwrotethatletter，andforgivethisanswer。IwantyoutothinkofmejustasifIwasaman，andquiteoutsidemarriagealtogether。
"Idohopeyouwillbeabletodothis，becauseIvaluemenfriends。IshallbeverysorryifIcannothaveyouforafriend。Ithinkthatthereisnobetterfriendforagirlthanamanratherolderthanherself。
"PerhapsbythistimeyouwillhaveheardofthestepIhavetakeninleavingmyhome。VerylikelyyouwilldisapprovehighlyofwhatIhavedone——lwonder？Youmay，perhaps，thinkIhavedoneitjustinafitofchildishpetulancebecausemyfatherlockedmeinwhenIwantedtogotoaballofwhichhedidnotapprove。Butreallyitismuchmorethanthat。AtMorningsideParkIfeelasthoughallmygrowingupwaspresentlytostop，asthoughIwasbeingshutinfromthelightoflife，and，astheysayinbotany，etiolated。Iwasjustlikeasortofdummythatdoesthingsasitistold——thatistosay，asthestringsarepulled。Iwanttobeapersonbymyself，andtopullmyownstrings。Ihadratherhavetroubleandhardshiplikethatthanbetakencareofbyothers。Iwanttobemyself。lwonderifamancanquiteunderstandthatpassionatefeeling？Itisquiteapassionatefeeling。SoIamalreadynolongerthegirlyouknewatMorningsidePark。Iamayoungpersonseekingemploymentandfreedomandself-development，justasinquiteourfirsttalkofallIsaidIwantedtobe。
"Idohopeyouwillseehowthingsare，andnotbeoffendedwithmeorfrightfullyshockedanddistressedbywhatIhavedone。
"Verysincerelyyours，"ANNVERONICASTANLEY。"
Part6
Intheafternoonsheresumedhersearchforapartments。Theintoxicatingsenseofnoveltyhadgivenplacetoamorebusiness-likemood。ShedriftednorthwardfromtheStrand，andcameonsomequeeranddingyquarters。
Shehadneverimaginedlifewashalfsosinisterasitlookedtoherinthebeginningoftheseinvestigations。Shefoundherselfagaininthepresenceofsomeelementinlifeaboutwhichshehadbeentrainednottothink，aboutwhichshewasperhapsinstinctivelyindisposedtothink；somethingwhichjarred，inspiteofallhermentalresistance，withallherpreconceptionsofacleanandcourageousgirlwalkingoutfromMorningsideParkasonewalksoutofacellintoafreeandspaciousworld。Oneortwolandladiesrefusedherwithanairofconsciousvirtuethatshefoundhardtoexplain。"Wedon’tlettoladies，"theysaid。
Shedrifted，viaTheobald’sRoad，obliquelytowardtheregionaboutTitchfieldStreet。Suchapartmentsasshesawwereeitherscandalouslydirtyorunaccountablydear，orboth。Andsomewereadornedwithengravingsthatstruckherasbeingmorevulgarandundesirablethananythingshehadeverseeninherlife。AnnVeronicalovedbeautifulthings，andthebeautyofundrapedlovelinessnotleastamongthem；butthesewerepicturesthatdidbutinsistcoarselyupontheroundnessofwomen’sbodies。Thewindowsoftheseroomswereobscuredwithdraperies，theirfloorsacarpetpatchwork；thechinaornamentsontheirmantelswereofaclassapart。Afterthefirstonsetseveralofthewomenwhohadapartmentstoletsaidshewouldnotdoforthem，andineffectdismissedher。Thisalsostruckherasodd。
Aboutmanyofthesehouseshungamysterioustaintasofsomethingweaklyandcommonlyanddustilyevil；thewomenwhonegotiatedtheroomslookedoutthroughafriendlymannerasthoughitwasamask，withhard，defianteyes。Thenoneoldcrone，short-sightedandshaky-handed，calledAnnVeronica"dearie，"andmadesomeremark，obscureandslangy，ofwhichthespiritratherthanthewordspenetratedtoherunderstanding。
Foratimeshelookedatnomoreapartments，andwalkedthroughgauntandill-cleanedstreets，throughthesordidundersideoflife，perplexedandtroubled，ashamedofherpreviousobtuseness。
ShehadsomethingofthefeelingaHindoomustexperiencewhohasbeenintosurroundingsortouchedsomethingthatoffendshiscaste。Shepassedpeopleinthestreetsandregardedthemwithaquickeningapprehension，onceortwicecamegirlsdressedinslatternlyfinery，goingtowardRegentStreetfromouttheseplaces。Itdidnotoccurtoherthattheyatleasthadfoundawayofearningaliving，andhadthatmucheconomicsuperioritytoherself。Itdidnotoccurtoherthatsaveforsomeaccidentsofeducationandcharactertheyhadsoulslikeherown。
ForatimeAnnVeronicawentonherwaygaugingthequalityofsordidstreets。Atlast，alittlewaytothenorthwardofEustonRoad，themoralcloudseemedtolift，themoralatmospheretochange；cleanblindsappearedinthewindows，cleandoorstepsbeforethedoors，adifferentappealintheneatlyplacedcardsbearingtheword——
|APARTMENTS|——
intheclearbrightwindows。AtlastinastreetneartheHampsteadRoadshehituponaroomthathadanexceptionalqualityofspaceandorder，andatallwomanwithakindlyfacetoshowit。"You’reastudent，perhaps？"saidthetallwoman。
"AttheTredgoldWomen’sCollege，"saidAnnVeronica。Shefeltitwouldsaveexplanationsifshedidnotstateshehadleftherhomeandwaslookingforemployment。Theroomwaspaperedwithgreen，large-patternedpaperthatwasatworstatrifledingy，andthearm-chairandtheseatsoftheotherchairswerecoveredwiththeunusualbrightnessofalarge-patternedchintz，whichalsosuppliedthewindow-curtain。Therewasaroundtablecovered，notwiththeusual"tapestry"cover，butwithaplaingreencloththatwentpassablywiththewall-paper。Intherecessbesidethefireplaceweresomeopenbookshelves。Thecarpetwasaquietdruggetandnotexcessivelyworn，andthebedinthecornerwascoveredbyawhitequilt。Therewereneithertextsnorrubbishonthewalls，butonlyastirringversionofBelshazzar’sfeast，asteelengravingintheearlyVictorianmannerthathadsomesatisfactoryblacks。Andthewomanwhoshowedthisroomwastall，withanunderstandingeyeandthequietmannerofthewell-trainedservant。
AnnVeronicabroughtherluggageinacabfromthehotel；shetippedthehotelportersixpenceandoverpaidthecabmaneighteenpence，unpackedsomeofherbooksandpossessions，andsomadetheroomalittlehomelike，andthensatdowninabynomeansuncomfortablearm-chairbeforethefire。Shehadarrangedforasupperoftea，aboiledegg，andsometinnedpeaches。Shehaddiscussedthegeneralquestionofsupplieswiththehelpfullandlady。"Andnow，"saidAnnVeronicasurveyingherapartmentwithanunprecedentedsenseofproprietorship，"whatisthenextstep？"
Shespenttheeveninginwriting——itwasalittledifficult——toherfatherand——whichwaseasier——totheWidgetts。Shewasgreatlyheartenedbydoingthis。Thenecessityofdefendingherselfandassumingaconfidentandsecuretonedidmuchtodispellthesenseofbeingexposedandindefensibleinahugedingyworldthataboundedinsinisterpossibilities。Sheaddressedherletters，meditatedonthemforatime，andthentookthemoutandpostedthem。Afterwardshewantedtogetherlettertoherfatherbackinordertoreaditoveragain，and，ifittalliedwithhergeneralimpressionofit，re-writeit。
Hewouldknowheraddressto-morrow。Shereflecteduponthatwithathrillofterrorthatwasalso，somehow，insomefaintremoteway，gleeful。
"DearoldDaddy，"shesaid，"he’llmakeafearfulfuss。Well，ithadtohappensomewhen……Somehow。Iwonderwhathe’llsay？"
CHAPTERTHESIXTH
EXPOSTULATIONS
Part1
Thenextmorningopenedcalmly，andAnnVeronicasatinherownroom，herveryownroom，andconsumedaneggandmarmalade，andreadtheadvertisementsintheDailyTelegraph。Thenbeganexpostulations，preludedbyatelegramandheadedbyheraunt。
ThetelegramremindedAnnVeronicathatshehadnoplaceforinterviewsexceptherbed-sitting-room，andshesoughtherlandladyandnegotiatedhastilyfortheuseofthegroundfloorparlor，whichveryfortunatelywasvacant。Sheexplainedshewasexpectinganimportantinterview，andaskedthathervisitorshouldbedulyshownin。Herauntarrivedabouthalf-pastten，inblackandwithanunusuallythickspottedveil。Sheraisedthiswiththeairofaconspiratorunmasking，anddisplayedatear-flushedface。Foramomentsheremainedsilent。
"Mydear，"shesaid，whenshecouldgetherbreath，"youmustcomehomeatonce。"
AnnVeronicaclosedthedoorquitesoftlyandstoodstill。
"Thishasalmostkilledyourfather……AfterGwen！"
"Isentatelegram。"
"Hecaressomuchforyou。Hedidsocareforyou。"
"IsentatelegramtosayIwasallright。"
"Allright！AndIneverdreamedanythingofthesortwasgoingon。Ihadnoidea！"Shesatdownabruptlyandthrewherwristslimplyuponthetable。"Oh，Veronica！"shesaid，"toleaveyourhome！"
Shehadbeenweeping。Shewasweepingnow。AnnVeronicawasovercomebythisamountofemotion。
"Whydidyoudoit？"heraunturged。"Whycouldyounotconfideinus？"
"Dowhat？"saidAnnVeronica。
"Whatyouhavedone。"
"ButwhathaveIdone？"
"Elope！Gooffinthisway。Wehadnoidea。Wehadsuchaprideinyou，suchhopeinyou。Ihadnoideayouwerenotthehappiestgirl。EverythingIcoulddo！Yourfathersatupallnight。UntilatlastIpersuadedhimtogotobed。Hewantedtoputonhisovercoatandcomeafteryouandlookforyou——inLondon。WemadesureitwasjustlikeGwen。OnlyGwenleftaletteronthepincushion。Youdidn’tevendothatVee；noteventhat。"
"Isentatelegram，aunt，"saidAnnVeronica。
"Likeastab。Youdidn’tevenputthetwelvewords。"
"IsaidIwasallright。"
"Gwensaidshewashappy。Beforethatcameyourfatherdidn’tevenknowyouweregone。Hewasjustgettingcrossaboutyourbeinglatefordinner——youknowhisway——whenitcame。Heopenedit——justoff-hand，andthenwhenhesawwhatitwashehitatthetableandsenthissoupspoonflyingandsplashingontothetablecloth。’MyGod！’hesaid，’I’llgoafterthemandkillhim。
I’llgoafterthemandkillhim。’ForthemomentIthoughtitwasatelegramfromGwen。"
"Butwhatdidfatherimagine？"
"Ofcourseheimagined！Anyonewould！’Whathashappened，Peter？’Iasked。Hewasstandingupwiththetelegramcrumpledinhishand。Heusedamostawfulword！Thenhesaid，’It’sAnnVeronicagonetojoinhersister！’’Gone！’Isaid。’Gone！’hesaid。’Readthat，’andthrewthetelegramatme，sothatitwentintothetureen。HesworewhenItriedtogetitoutwiththeladle，andtoldmewhatitsaid。Thenhesatdownagaininachairandsaidthatpeoplewhowrotenovelsoughttobestrungup。ItwasasmuchasIcoulddotopreventhimflyingoutofthehousethereandthenandcomingafteryou。NeversinceIwasagirlhaveIseenyourfathersomoved。’Oh！littleVee！’hecried，’littleVee！’andputhisfacebetweenhishandsandsatstillforalongtimebeforehebrokeoutagain。"
AnnVeronicahadremainedstandingwhileherauntspoke。
"Doyoumean，aunt，"sheasked，"thatmyfatherthoughtIhadgoneoff——withsomeman？"
"WhatelseCOULDhethink？WouldanyoneDREAMyouwouldbesomadastogooffalone？"
"After——afterwhathadhappenedthenightbefore？"
"Oh，whyraiseupoldscores？Ifyoucouldseehimthismorning，hispoorfaceaswhiteasasheetandallcutaboutwithshaving！
Hewasforcomingupbytheveryfirsttrainandlookingforyou，butIsaidtohim，’Waitfortheletters，’andthere，sureenough，wasyours。Hecouldhardlyopentheenvelope，hetrembledso。Thenhethrewtheletteratme。’Goandfetchherhome，’hesaid；’itisn’twhatwethought！It’sjustapracticaljokeofhers。’AndwiththathewentofftotheCity，sternandsilent，leavinghisbacononhisplate——agreatsliceofbaconhardlytouched。Nobreakfast，he’shadnodinner，hardlyamouthfulofsoup——sinceyesterdayattea。"
Shestopped。Auntandnieceregardedeachothersilently。
"Youmustcomehometohimatonce，"saidMissStanley。
AnnVeronicalookeddownatherfingersontheclaret-coloredtable-cloth。Heraunthadsummonedupanaltogethertoovividpictureofherfatherasthemasterfulman，overbearing，emphatic，sentimental，noisy，aimless。Whyonearthcouldn’theleavehertogrowinherownway？Herprideroseatthebarethoughtofreturn"Idon’tthinkICANdothat，"shesaid。Shelookedupandsaid，alittlebreathlessly，"I’msorry，aunt，butIdon’tthinkI
can。"
Part2
Thenitwastheexpostulationsreallybegan。
Fromfirsttolast，onthisoccasion，herauntexpostulatedforabouttwohours。"But，mydear，"shebegan，"itisImpossible！
ItisquiteoutoftheQuestion。Yousimplycan’t。"Andtothat，throughvastrhetoricalmeanderings，sheclung。ItreachedheronlyslowlythatAnnVeronicawasstandingtoherresolution。
"Howwillyoulive？"sheappealed。"Thinkofwhatpeoplewillsay！"Thatbecamearefrain。"ThinkofwhatLadyPalsworthywillsay！Thinkofwhat"——So-and-so——"willsay！Whatarewetotellpeople？
"Besides，whatamItotellyourfather？"
AtfirstithadnotbeenatallcleartoAnnVeronicathatshewouldrefusetoreturnhome；shehadhadsomedreamofacapitulationthatshouldleaveheranenlargedanddefinedfreedom，butasherauntputthisaspectandthatofherflighttoher，asshewanderedillogicallyandinconsistentlyfromoneurgentconsiderationtoanother，asshemingledassurancesandaspectsandemotions，itbecameclearerandclearertothegirlthattherecouldbelittleornochangeinthepositionofthingsifshereturned。"AndwhatwillMr。Manningthink？"saidheraunt。
"Idon’tcarewhatanyonethinks，"saidAnnVeronica。
"Ican’timaginewhathascomeoveryou，"saidheraunt。"I
can’tconceivewhatyouwant。Youfoolishgirl！"
AnnVeronicatookthatinsilence。Atthebackofhermind，dimandyetdisconcerting，wastheperceptionthatsheherselfdidnotknowwhatshewanted。Andyetsheknewitwasnotfairtocallherafoolishgirl。
"Don’tyoucareforMr。Manning？"saidheraunt。
"Idon’tseewhathehastodowithmycomingtoLondon？"
"He——heworshipsthegroundyoutreadon。Youdon’tdeserveit，buthedoes。Oratleasthedidthedaybeforeyesterday。Andhereyouare！"
Herauntopenedallthefingersofherglovedhandinarhetoricalgesture。"Itseemstomeallmadness——madness！Justbecauseyourfather——wouldn’tletyoudisobeyhim！"
Part3
IntheafternoonthetaskofexpostulationwastakenupbyMr。
Stanleyinperson。Herfather’sideasofexpostulationwerealittleharshandforcible，andovertheclaret-coloredtable-clothandunderthegaschandelier，withhishatandumbrellabetweenthemlikethemaceinParliament，heandhisdaughtercontrivedtohaveaviolentquarrel。Shehadintendedtobequietlydignified，buthewasinasmoulderingragefromthebeginning，andbeganbyassuming，whichalonewasmorethanfleshandbloodcouldstand，thattheinsurrectionwasoverandthatshewascominghomesubmissively。Inhisdesiretobeemphaticandtoavengehimselfforhisover-nightdistresses，hespeedilybecamebrutal，morebrutalthanshehadeverknownhimbefore。
"Anicetimeofanxietyyou’vegivenme，younglady，"hesaid，asheenteredtheroom。"Ihopeyou’resatisfied。"
Shewasfrightened——hisangeralwaysdidfrightenher——andinherresolvetoconcealherfrightshecarriedaqueen-likedignitytowhatshefeltevenatthetimewasapreposterouspitch。Shesaidshehopedshehadnotdistressedhimbythecourseshehadfeltobligedtotake，andhetoldhernottobeafool。Shetriedtokeephersideupbydeclaringthathehadputherintoanimpossibleposition，andherepliedbyshouting，"Nonsense！
Nonsense！AnyfatherinmyplacewouldhavedonewhatIdid。"
Thenhewentontosay:"Well，you’vehadyourlittleadventure，andIhopenowyou’vehadenoughofit。Sogoup-stairsandgetyourthingstogetherwhileIlookoutforahansom。"
Towhichtheonlypossiblereplyseemedtobe，"I’mnotcominghome。"
"Notcominghome！"
"No！"And，inspiteofherresolvetobeaPerson，AnnVeronicabegantoweepwithterroratherself。Apparentlyshewasalwaysdoomedtoweepwhenshetalkedtoherfather。Buthewasalwaysforcinghertosayanddosuchunexpectedlyconclusivethings。
Shefearedhemighttakehertearsasasignofweakness。Soshesaid:"Iwon’tcomehome。I’dratherstarve！"
Foramomenttheconversationhunguponthatdeclaration。ThenMr。Stanley，puttinghishandsonthetableinthemannerratherofabarristerthanasolicitor，andregardingherbalefullythroughhisglasseswithquiteundisguisedanimosity，asked，"AndmayIpresumetoinquire，then，whatyoumeantodo？——howdoyouproposetolive？"
"Ishalllive，"sobbedAnnVeronica。"Youneedn’tbeanxiousaboutthat！Ishallcontrivetolive。"
"ButIAManxious，"saidMr。Stanley，"Iamanxious。Doyouthinkit’snothingtometohavemydaughterrunningaboutLondonlookingforoddjobsanddisgracingherself？"
"Sha’n’tgetoddjobs，"saidAnnVeronica，wipinghereyes。
Andfromthatpointtheywentontoathoroughlyembitteringwrangle。Mr。Stanleyusedhisauthority，andcommandedAnnVeronicatocomehome，towhich，ofcourse，shesaidshewouldn’t；andthenhewarnedhernottodefyhim，warnedherverysolemnly，andthencommandedheragain。Hethensaidthatifshewouldnotobeyhiminthiscoursesheshould"neverdarkenhisdoorsagain，"andwas，indeed，frightfullyabusive。ThisthreatterrifiedAnnVeronicasomuchthatshedeclaredwithsobsandvehemencethatshewouldnevercomehomeagain，andforatimebothtalkedatonceandverywildly。Heaskedherwhethersheunderstoodwhatshewassaying，andwentontosaystillmorepreciselythatsheshouldnevertouchapennyofhismoneyuntilshecamehomeagain——notonepenny。AnnVeronicasaidshedidn’tcare。
ThenabruptlyMr。Stanleychangedhiskey。"Youpoorchild！"hesaid；"don’tyouseetheinfinitefollyoftheseproceedings？
Think！Thinkoftheloveandaffectionyouabandon！Thinkofyouraunt，asecondmothertoyou。Thinkifyourownmotherwasalive！"
Hepaused，deeplymoved。
"Ifmyownmotherwasalive，"sobbedAnnVeronica，"shewouldunderstand。"
Thetalkbecamemoreandmoreinconclusiveandexhausting。AnnVeronicafoundherselfincompetent，undignified，anddetestable，holdingondesperatelytoahardeningantagonismtoherfather，quarrellingwithhim，wranglingwithhim，thinkingofrepartees——almostasifhewasabrother。Itwashorrible，butwhatcouldshedo？Shemeanttoliveherownlife，andhemeant，withcontemptandinsults，topreventher。Anythingelsethatwassaidshenowregardedonlyasanaspectofordiversionfromthat。
Intheretrospectshewasamazedtothinkhowthingshadgonetopieces，forattheoutsetshehadbeenquitepreparedtogohomeagainuponterms。Whilewaitingforhiscomingshehadstatedherpresentandfuturerelationswithhimwithwhathadseemedtoherthemostsatisfactorylucidityandcompleteness。Shehadlookedforwardtoanexplanation。Insteadhadcomethisstorm，thisshouting，thisweeping，thisconfusionofthreatsandirrelevantappeals。Itwasnotonlythatherfatherhadsaidallsortsofinconsistentandunreasonablethings，butthatbysomeincomprehensibleinfectionsheherselfhadrepliedinthesamevein。Hehadassumedthatherleavinghomewasthepointatissue，thateverythingturnedonthat，andthatthesolealternativewasobedience，andshehadfalleninwiththatassumptionuntilrebellionseemedasacredprinciple。Moreover，atrociouslyandinexorably，heallowedittoappeareverandagaininhorriblegleamsthathesuspectedtherewassomemaninthecase……Someman！
Andtoconcludeitallwasthefigureofherfatherinthedoorway，givingheralastchance，hishatinonehand，hisumbrellaintheother，shakenathertoemphasizehispoint。
"Youunderstand，then，"hewassaying，"youunderstand？"
"Iunderstand，"saidAnnVeronica，tear-wetandflushedwithareciprocalpassion，butstandinguptohimwithanequalitythatamazedevenherself，"Iunderstand。"Shecontrolledasob。"Notapenny——notonepenny——andneverdarkenyourdoorsagain！"
Part4
Thenextdayherauntcameagainandexpostulated，andwasjustsayingitwas"anunheard-ofthing"foragirltoleaveherhomeasAnnVeronicahaddone，whenherfatherarrived，andwasshowninbythepleasant-facedlandlady。
Herfatherhaddeterminedonanewline。Heputdownhishatandumbrella，restedhishandsonhiships，andregardedAnnVeronicafirmly。
"Now，"hesaid，quietly，"it’stimewestoppedthisnonsense。"
AnnVeronicawasabouttoreply，whenhewenton，withastillmoredeadlyquiet:"Iamnotheretobandywordswithyou。Letushavenomoreofthishumbug。Youaretocomehome。"
"IthoughtIexplained——"
"Idon’tthinkyoucanhaveheardme，"saidherfather；"Ihavetoldyoutocomehome。"
"IthoughtIexplained——"
"Comehome！"
AnnVeronicashruggedhershoulders。
"Verywell，"saidherfather。
"Ithinkthisendsthebusiness，"hesaid，turningtohissister。
"It’snotforustosupplicateanymore。Shemustlearnwisdom——asGodpleases。"
"But，mydearPeter！"saidMissStanley。
"No，"saidherbrother，conclusively，"it’snotforaparenttogoonpersuadingachild。"
MissStanleyroseandregardedAnnVeronicafixedly。Thegirlstoodwithherhandsbehindherback，sulky，resolute，andintelligent，astrandofherblackhairoveroneeyeandlookingmorethanusuallydelicate-featured，andmorethaneverlikeanobduratechild。
"Shedoesn’tknow。"
"Shedoes。"
"Ican’timaginewhatmakesyouflyoutagainsteverythinglikethis，"saidMissStanleytoherniece。
"Whatisthegoodoftalking？"saidherbrother。"Shemustgoherownway。Aman’schildrennowadaysarenothisown。That’sthefactofthematter。Theirmindsareturnedagainsthim……
Rubbishynovelsandperniciousrascals。Wecan’tevenprotectthemfromthemselves。"
Animmensegulfseemedtoopenbetweenfatheranddaughterashesaidthesewords。
"Idon’tsee，"gaspedAnnVeronica，"whyparentsandchildren……shouldn’tbefriends。"
"Friends！"saidherfather。"Whenweseeyougoingthroughdisobediencetothedevil！Come，Molly，shemustgoherownway。
I’vetriedtousemyauthority。Andshedefiesme。Whatmoreistheretobesaid？Shedefiesme！"
Itwasextraordinary。AnnVeronicafeltsuddenlyaneffectoftremendouspathos；shewouldhavegivenanythingtohavebeenabletoframeandmakesomeappeal，someutterancethatshouldbridgethisbottomlesschasmthathadopenedbetweenherandherfather，andshecouldfindnothingwhatevertosaythatwasintheleastsincereandappealing。
"Father，"shecried，"Ihavetolive！"
Hemisunderstoodher。"That，"hesaid，grimly，withhishandonthedoor-handle，"mustbeyourownaffair，unlessyouchoosetoliveatMorningsidePark。"
MissStanleyturnedtoher。"Vee，"shesaid，"comehome。Beforeitistoolate。"
"Come，Molly，"saidMr。Stanley，atthedoor。
"Vee！"saidMissStanley，"youhearwhatyourfathersays！"
MissStanleystruggledwithemotion。Shemadeacuriousmovementtowardherniece，thensuddenly，convulsively，shedabbeddownsomethinglumpyonthetableandturnedtofollowherbrother。
AnnVeronicastaredforamomentinamazementatthisdark-greenobjectthatclashedasitwasputdown。Itwasapurse。Shemadeastepforward。"Aunt！"shesaid，"Ican’t——"
Thenshecaughtawildappealinheraunt’sblueeye，halted，andthedoorclickeduponthem。
Therewasapause，andthenthefrontdoorslammed……
AnnVeronicarealizedthatshewasalonewiththeworld。Andthistimethedeparturehadatremendouseffectoffinality。Shehadtoresistanimpulseofsheerterror，torunoutafterthemandgivein。
"Gods，"shesaid，atlast，"I’vedoneitthistime！"
"Well！"Shetookuptheneatmoroccopurse，openedit，andexaminedthecontents。
Itcontainedthreesovereigns，sixandfourpence，twopostagestamps，asmallkey，andheraunt’sreturnhalftickettoMorningsidePark。
Part5
AftertheinterviewAnnVeronicaconsideredherselfformallycutofffromhome。Ifnothingelsehadclinchedthat，thepursehad。
Neverthelesstherecamearesiduumofexpostulations。HerbrotherRoddy，whowasinthemotorline，cametoexpostulate；
hersisterAlicewrote。AndMr。Manningcalled。
HersisterAliceseemedtohavedevelopedareligioussenseawaythereinYorkshire，andmadeappealsthathadnomeaningforAnnVeronica’smind。SheexhortedAnnVeronicanottobecomeoneof"thoseunsexedintellectuals，neithermannorwoman。"
AnnVeronicameditatedoverthatphrase。"That’sHIM，"saidAnnVeronica，insound，idiomaticEnglish。"PooroldAlice！"
HerbrotherRoddycametoheranddemandedtea，andaskedhertostateacase。"Bitthickontheoldman，isn’tit？"saidRoddy，whohaddevelopedabluff，straightforwardstyleinthemotorshop。
"Mindmysmoking？"saidRoddy。"Idon’tseequitewhatyourgameis，Vee，butIsupposeyou’vegotagameonsomewhere。
"Rummylotweare！"saidRoddy。"Alice——Alicegonedotty，andalloverkids。Gwen——IsawGwentheotherday，andthepaint’sthickerthanever。JimisuptotheneckinMahatmasandTheosophyandHigherThoughtandrot——writeslettersworsethanAlice。AndnowYOU’REonthewar-path。IbelieveI’mtheonlysanememberofthefamilyleft。TheG。V。’sasmadasanyofyou，inspiteofallhisrespectability；notabitofhimstraightanywhere，notonebit。"
"Straight？"
"Notabitofit！He’sbeenoutaftereightpercent。sincethebeginning。Eightpercent。！He’llcomeacropperoneofthesedays，ifyouaskme。He’sbeennearitonceortwicealready。
That’sgothisnervestorags。Isupposewe’reallhumanbeingsreally，butwhatpricethesacredInstitutionoftheFamily！Usasabundle！Eh？……Idon’thalfdisagreewithyou，Vee，really；onlythingis，Idon’tseehowyou’regoingtopullitoff。AhomeMAYbeasortofcage，butstill——it’sahome。
Givesyouarighttohangontotheoldmanuntilhebusts——practically。Jollyhardlifeforagirl，gettingaliving。NotMYaffair。"
Heaskedquestionsandlistenedtoherviewsforatime。
"I’dchuckthislarkrightoffifIwereyou，Vee，"hesaid。
"I’mfiveyearsolderthanyou，andnoendwiser，beingaman。
Whatyou’reafteristoorisky。It’sadamnedhardthingtodo。
It’sallveryhandsomestartingoutonyourown，butit’stoodamnedhard。That’smyopinion，ifyouaskme。There’snothingagirlcandothatisn’tsweatedtothebone。YousquaretheG。V。，andgohomebeforeyouhaveto。That’smyadvice。Ifyoudon’teathumble-pienowyoumaylivetofareworselater。_I_can’thelpyouacent。Life’shardenoughnowadaysforanunprotectedmale。Letaloneagirl。Yougottotaketheworldasitis，andtheonlypossibletradeforagirlthatisn’tsweatedistogetholdofamanandmakehimdoitforher。It’snogoodflyingoutatthat，Vee；_I_didn’tarrangeit。It’sProvidence。
That’showthingsare；that’stheorderoftheworld。Likeappendicitis。Itisn’tpretty，butwe’remadeso。Rot，nodoubt；butwecan’talterit。YougohomeandliveontheG。V。，andgetsomeothermantoliveonassoonaspossible。Itisn’tsentimentbutit’shorsesense。AllthisWoman-who-Diddery——nodamngood。Afterall，oldP——Providence，Imean——HASarrangeditsothatmenwillkeepyou，moreorless。Hemadetheuniverseonthoselines。You’vegottotakewhatyoucanget。"
ThatwasthequintessenceofherbrotherRoddy。
Heplayedvariationsonthisthemeforthebetterpartofanhour。
"Yougohome，"hesaid，atparting；"yougohome。It’sallveryfineandallthat，Vee，thisfreedom，butitisn’tgoingtowork。
Theworldisn’treadyforgirlstostartoutontheirownyet；
that’stheplainfactofthecase。Babiesandfemaleshavegottokeepholdofsomebodyorgounder——anyhow，forthenextfewgenerations。Yougohomeandwaitacentury，Vee，andthentryagain。Thenyoumayhaveabitofachance。Nowyouhaven’ttheghostofone——notifyouplaythegamefair。"
Part6
ItwasremarkabletoAnnVeronicahowcompletelyMr。Manning，inhisentirelydifferentdialect，indorsedherbrotherRoddy’sviewofthings。Hecamealong，hesaid，justtocall，withlarge，loudapologies，radiantlykindandgood。MissStanley，itwasmanifest，hadgivenhimAnnVeronica’saddress。Thekindlyfacedlandladyhadfailedtocatchhisname，andsaidhewasatall，handsomegentlemanwithagreatblackmustache。AnnVeronica，withasighatthecostofhospitality，madeahastynegotiationforanextrateaandforafireintheground-floorapartment，andpreenedherselfcarefullyfortheinterview。Inthelittleapartment，underthegaschandelier，hisinchesandhisstoopwerecertainlyveryeffective。Inthebadlighthelookedatoncemilitaryandsentimentalandstudious，likeoneofOuida’sguardsmenrevisedbyMr。HaldaneandtheLondonSchoolofEconomicsandfinishedintheKelticschool。
"It’sunforgivableofmetocall，MissStanley，"hesaid，shakinghandsinapeculiar，high，fashionablemanner；"butyouknowyousaidwemightbefriends。"
"It’sdreadfulforyoutobehere，"hesaid，indicatingtheyellowpresenceofthefirstfogoftheyearwithout，"butyouraunttoldmesomethingofwhathadhappened。It’sjustlikeyourSplendidPridetodoit。Quite！"
Hesatinthearm-chairandtooktea，andconsumedseveraloftheextracakeswhichshehadsentoutforandtalkedtoherandexpressedhimself，lookingveryearnestlyatherwithhisdeep-seteyes，andcarefullyavoidinganycrumbsonhismustachethewhile。AnnVeronicasatfirelitbyhertea-traywith，quiteunconsciously，theairofanexperthostess。
"Buthowisitallgoingtoend？"saidMr。Manning。
"Yourfather，ofcourse，"hesaid，"mustcometorealizejusthowSplendidyouare！Hedoesn’tunderstand。I’veseenhim，andhedoesn’tabitunderstand。_I_didn’tunderstandbeforethatletter。ItmakesmewanttobejusteverythingICANbetoyou。
You’relikesomesplendidPrincessinExileintheseDreadfulDingyapartments！"
"I’mafraidI’manythingbutaPrincesswhenitcomestoearningasalary，"saidAnnVeronica。"Butfrankly，ImeantofightthisthroughifIpossiblycan。"
"MyGod！"saidManning，inastage-aside。"Earningasalary！"
"You’relikeaPrincessinExile！"herepeated，overrulingher。
"Youcomeintothesesordidsurroundings——youmustn’tmindmycallingthemsordid——anditmakesthemseemasthoughtheydidn’tmatter……Idon’tthinktheydomatter。Idon’tthinkanysurroundingscouldthrowashadowonyou。"
AnnVeronicafeltaslightembarrassment。"Won’tyouhavesomemoretea，Mr。Manning？"sheasked。
"Youknow——，"saidMr。Manning，relinquishinghiscupwithoutansweringherquestion，"whenIhearyoutalkofearningaliving，it’sasifIheardofanarchangelgoingontheStockExchange——orChristsellingdoves……Forgivemydaring。I
couldn’thelpthethought。"
"It’saverygoodimage，"saidAnnVeronica。
"Iknewyouwouldn’tmind。"
"Butdoesitcorrespondwiththefactsofthecase？Youknow，Mr。
Manning，allthissortofthingisverywellassentiment，butdoesitcorrespondwiththerealities？Arewomentrulysuchangelicthingsandmensochivalrous？Youmenhave，Iknow，meanttomakeusQueensandGoddesses，butinpractice——well，look，forexample，atthestreamofgirlsonemeetsgoingtoworkofamorning，round-shouldered，cheap，andunderfed！Theyaren’tqueens，andnooneistreatingthemasqueens。Andlook，again，atthewomenonefindslettinglodgings……Iwaslookingforroomslastweek。Itgotonmynerves——thewomenIsaw。Worsethananyman。EverywhereIwentandrappedatadoorIfoundbehinditanotherdreadfuldingywoman——anotherfallenqueen，I
suppose——dingierthanthelast，dirty，youknow，ingrain。Theirpoorhands！"
"Iknow，"saidMr。Manning，withentirelysuitableemotion。
"Andthinkoftheordinarywivesandmothers，withtheiranxiety，theirlimitations，theirswarmsofchildren！"
Mr。Manningdisplayeddistress。Hefendedthesethingsofffromhimwiththerumpofhisfourthpieceofcake。"Iknowthatoursocialorderisdreadfulenough，"hesaid，"andsacrificesallthatisbestandmostbeautifulinlife。Idon’tdefendit。"
"Andbesides，whenitcomestotheideaofqueens，"AnnVeronicawenton，"there’stwenty-oneandahalfmillionwomentotwentymillionmen。Supposeourproperplaceisashrine。Still，thatleavesoveramillionshrinesshort，notreckoningwidowswhore-marry。Andmoreboysdiethangirls，sothattherealdisproportionamongadultsisevengreater。"
"Iknow，"saidMrManning，"IknowtheseDreadfulStatistics。I
knowthere’sasortofrightinyourimpatienceattheslownessofProgress。ButtellmeonethingIdon’tunderstand——tellmeonething:Howcanyouhelpitbycomingdownintothebattleandthemire？That’sthethingthatconcernsme。"
"Oh，I’mnottryingtohelpit，"saidAnnVeronica。"I’monlyarguingagainstyourpositionofwhatawomanshouldbe，andtryingtogetitclearinmyownmind。I’minthisapartmentandlookingforworkbecause——Well，whatelsecanIdo，whenmyfatherpracticallylocksmeup？"
"Iknow，"saidMr。Manning，"Iknow。Don’tthinkIcan’tsympathizeandunderstand。Still，hereweareinthisdingy，foggycity。Yegods！whatawildernessitis！Everyonetryingtogetthebetterofeveryone，everyoneregardlessofeveryone——it’soneofthosedayswheneveryonebumpsagainstyou——everyonepouringcoalsmokeintotheairandmakingconfusionworseconfounded，motoromnibusesclatteringandsmelling，ahorsedownintheTottenhamCourtRoad，anoldwomanatthecornercoughingdreadfully——allthepainfulsightsofagreatcity，andhereyoucomeintoittotakeyourchances。It’stoovaliant，MissStanley，toovaliantaltogether！"
AnnVeronicameditated。Shehadhadtwodaysofemployment-seekingnow。"Iwonderifitis。"
"Itisn’t，"saidMr。Manning，"thatImindCourageinaWoman——I
loveandadmireCourage。Whatcouldbemoresplendidthanabeautifulgirlfacingagreat，glorioustiger？UnaandtheLionagain，andallthat！Butthisisn’tthatsortofthing；thisisjustagreat，ugly，endlesswildernessofselfish，sweating，vulgarcompetition！"
"Thatyouwanttokeepmeoutof？"
"Exactly！"saidMr。Manning。
"Inasortofbeautifulgarden-close——wearinglovelydressesandpickingbeautifulflowers？"
"Ah！Ifonecould！"
"Whilethoseothergirlstrudgetobusinessandthoseotherwomenletlodgings。Andinrealityeventhatmagicgarden-closeresolvesitselfintoavillaatMorningsideParkandmyfatherbeingmoreandmorecrossandoverbearingatmeals——andageneralfeelingofinsecurityandfutility。"
Mr。Manningrelinquishedhiscup，andlookedmeaninglyatAnnVeronica。"There，"hesaid，"youdon’ttreatmefairly，MissStanley。Mygarden-closewouldbeabetterthingthanthat。"
CHAPTERTHESEVENTH
IDEALSANDAREALITY