第5章

WhenevertheymentionedMakola’snametheyalwaysaddedtoitanopprobriousepithet。Iteasedtheirconscience。Makolagavehimselfahalf-holiday，andbathedhischildrenintheriver。NoonefromGobila’svillagescamenearthestationthatday。Noonecamethenextday，andthenext，norforawholeweek。Gobila’speoplemighthavebeendeadandburiedforanysignoflifetheygave。Buttheywereonlymourningforthosetheyhadlostbythewitchcraftofwhitemen，whohadbroughtwickedpeopleintotheircountry。Thewickedpeopleweregone，butfearremained。Fearalwaysremains。Amanmaydestroyeverythingwithinhimself，loveandhateandbelief，andevendoubt；

butaslongasheclingstolifehecannotdestroyfear：thefear，subtle，indestructible，andterrible，thatpervadeshisbeing；thattingeshisthoughts；thatlurksinhisheart；thatwatchesonhislipsthestruggleofhislastbreath。Inhisfear，themildoldGobilaofferedextrahumansacrificestoalltheEvilSpiritsthathadtakenpossessionofhiswhitefriends。Hisheartwasheavy。Somewarriorsspokeaboutburningandkilling，butthecautiousoldsavagedissuadedthem。Whocouldforeseethewoethosemysteriouscreatures，ifirritated，mightbring？Theyshouldbeleftalone。Perhapsintimetheywoulddisappearintotheearthasthefirstonehaddisappeared。

Hispeoplemustkeepawayfromthem，andhopeforthebest。

KayertsandCarlierdidnotdisappear，butremainedaboveonthisearth，that，somehow，theyfanciedhadbecomebiggerandveryempty。

Itwasnottheabsoluteanddumbsolitudeofthepostthatimpressedthemsomuchasaninarticulatefeelingthatsomethingfromwithinthemwasgone，somethingthatworkedfortheirsafety，andhadkeptthewildernessfrominterferingwiththeirhearts。Theimagesofhome；

thememoryofpeoplelikethem，ofmenthatthoughtandfeltastheyusedtothinkandfeel，recededintodistancesmadeindistinctbytheglareofuncloudedsunshine。Andoutofthegreatsilenceofthesurroundingwilderness，itsveryhopelessnessandsavageryseemedtoapproachthemnearer，todrawthemgently，tolookuponthem，toenvelopthemwithasolicitudeirresistible，familiar，anddisgusting。

Dayslengthenedintoweeks，thenintomonths。Gobila’speopledrummedandyelledtoeverynewmoon，asofyore，butkeptawayfromthestation。MakolaandCarliertriedonceinacanoetoopencommunications，butwerereceivedwithashowerofarrows，andhadtoflybacktothestationfordearlife。Thatattemptsetthecountryupanddowntheriverintoanuproarthatcouldbeverydistinctlyheardfordays。Thesteamerwaslate。Atfirsttheyspokeofdelayjauntily，thenanxiously，thengloomily。Thematterwasbecomingserious。Storeswererunningshort。Carliercasthislinesoffthebank，buttheriverwaslow，andthefishkeptoutinthestream。Theydarednotstrollfarawayfromthestationtoshoot。Moreover，therewasnogameintheimpenetrableforest。OnceCarliershotahippointheriver。Theyhadnoboattosecureit，anditsank。Whenitfloatedupitdriftedaway，andGobila’speoplesecuredthecarcase。Itwastheoccasionforanationalholiday，butCarlierhadafitofrageoveritandtalkedaboutthenecessityofexterminatingalltheniggersbeforethecountrycouldbemadehabitable。Kayertsmoonedaboutsilently；spenthourslookingattheportraitofhisMelie。Itrepresentedalittlegirlwithlongbleachedtressesandarathersourface。Hislegsweremuchswollen，andhecouldhardlywalk。Carlier，underminedbyfever，couldnotswaggeranymore，butkepttotteringabout，stillwithadevil-may-careair，asbecameamanwhorememberedhiscrackregiment。

Hehadbecomehoarse，sarcastic，andinclinedtosayunpleasantthings。Hecalledit"beingfrankwithyou。"Theyhadlongagoreckonedtheirpercentagesontrade，includinginthemthatlastdealof"thisinfamousMakola。"Theyhadalsoconcludednottosayanythingaboutit。Kayertshesitatedatfirst——wasafraidoftheDirector。

"Hehasseenworsethingsdoneonthequiet，"maintainedCarlier，withahoarselaugh。"Trusthim！Hewon’tthankyouifyoublab。Heisnobetterthanyouorme。Whowilltalkifweholdourtongues？Thereisnobodyhere。"

Thatwastherootofthetrouble！Therewasnobodythere；andbeinglefttherealonewiththeirweakness，theybecamedailymorelikeapairofaccomplicesthanlikeacoupleofdevotedfriends。Theyhadheardnothingfromhomeforeightmonths。Everyeveningtheysaid，"To-morrowweshallseethesteamer。"ButoneoftheCompany’ssteamershadbeenwrecked，andtheDirectorwasbusywiththeother，relievingverydistantandimportantstationsonthemainriver。Hethoughtthattheuselessstation，andtheuselessmen，couldwait。

MeantimeKayertsandCarlierlivedonriceboiledwithoutsalt，andcursedtheCompany，allAfrica，andthedaytheywereborn。Onemusthavelivedonsuchdiettodiscoverwhatghastlytroublethenecessityofswallowingone’sfoodmaybecome。Therewasliterallynothingelseinthestationbutriceandcoffee；theydrankthecoffeewithoutsugar。ThelastfifteenlumpsKayertshadsolemnlylockedawayinhisbox，togetherwithahalf-bottleofCognac，"incaseofsickness，"heexplained。Carlierapproved。"Whenoneissick，"hesaid，"anylittleextralikethatischeering。"

Theywaited。Rankgrassbegantosproutoverthecourtyard。Thebellneverrangnow。Dayspassed，silent，exasperating，andslow。Whenthetwomenspoke，theysnarled；andtheirsilenceswerebitter，asiftingedbythebitternessoftheirthoughts。

Onedayafteralunchofboiledrice，Carlierputdownhiscupuntasted，andsaid："Hangitall！Let’shaveadecentcupofcoffeeforonce。Bringoutthatsugar，Kayerts！"

"Forthesick，"mutteredKayerts，withoutlookingup。

"Forthesick，"mockedCarlier。"Bosh！……Well！Iamsick。"

"YouarenomoresickthanIam，andIgowithout，"saidKayertsinapeacefultone。

"Come！outwiththatsugar，youstingyoldslave-dealer。"

Kayertslookedupquickly。Carlierwassmilingwithmarkedinsolence。

AndsuddenlyitseemedtoKayertsthathehadneverseenthatmanbefore。Whowashe？Heknewnothingabouthim。Whatwashecapableof？

Therewasasurprisingflashofviolentemotionwithinhim，asifinthepresenceofsomethingundreamt-of，dangerous，andfinal。Buthemanagedtopronouncewithcomposure——

"Thatjokeisinverybadtaste。Don’trepeatit。"

"Joke！"saidCarlier，hitchinghimselfforwardonhisseat。"Iamhungry——Iamsick——Idon’tjoke！Ihatehypocrites。Youareahypocrite。Youareaslave-dealer。Iamaslave-dealer。There’snothingbutslave-dealersinthiscursedcountry。Imeantohavesugarinmycoffeeto-day，anyhow！"

"Iforbidyoutospeaktomeinthatway，"saidKayertswithafairshowofresolution。

"You！——What？"shoutedCarlier，jumpingup。

Kayertsstoodupalso。"Iamyourchief，"hebegan，tryingtomastertheshakinessofhisvoice。

"What？"yelledtheother。"Who’schief？There’snochiefhere。There’snothinghere：there’snothingbutyouandI。Fetchthesugar——youpot-belliedass。"

"Holdyourtongue。Gooutofthisroom，"screamedKayerts。"Idismissyou——youscoundrel！"

Carlierswungastool。Allatoncehelookeddangerouslyinearnest。

"Youflabby，good-for-nothingcivilian——takethat！"hehowled。

Kayertsdroppedunderthetable，andthestoolstruckthegrassinnerwalloftheroom。Then，asCarlierwastryingtoupsetthetable，Kayertsindesperationmadeablindrush，headlow，likeacorneredpigwoulddo，andover-turninghisfriend，boltedalongtheverandah，andintohisroom。Helockedthedoor，snatchedhisrevolver，andstoodpanting。InlessthanaminuteCarlierwaskickingatthedoorfuriously，howling，"Ifyoudon’tbringoutthatsugar，Iwillshootyouatsight，likeadog。Nowthen——one——two——three。Youwon’t？I

willshowyouwho’sthemaster。"

Kayertsthoughtthedoorwouldfallin，andscrambledthroughthesquareholethatservedforawindowinhisroom。Therewasthenthewholebreadthofthehousebetweenthem。Buttheotherwasapparentlynotstrongenoughtobreakinthedoor，andKayertsheardhimrunninground。Thenhealsobegantorunlaboriouslyonhisswollenlegs。Heranasquicklyashecould，graspingtherevolver，andunableyettounderstandwhatwashappeningtohim。HesawinsuccessionMakola’shouse，thestore，theriver，theravine，andthelowbushes；andhesawallthosethingsagainasheranforthesecondtimeroundthehouse。Thenagaintheyflashedpasthim。Thatmorninghecouldnothavewalkedayardwithoutagroan。

Andnowheran。Heranfastenoughtokeepoutofsightoftheotherman。

Thenas，weakanddesperate，hethought，"BeforeIfinishthenextroundIshalldie，"heheardtheothermanstumbleheavily，thenstop。

Hestoppedalso。HehadthebackandCarlierthefrontofthehouse，asbefore。Heheardhimdropintoachaircursing，andsuddenlyhisownlegsgaveway，andhesliddownintoasittingposturewithhisbacktothewall。Hismouthwasasdryasacinder，andhisfacewaswetwithperspiration——andtears。Whatwasitallabout？Hethoughtitmustbeahorribleillusion；hethoughthewasdreaming；hethoughthewasgoingmad！Afterawhilehecollectedhissenses。Whatdidtheyquarrelabout？Thatsugar！Howabsurd！Hewouldgiveittohim——didn’twantithimself。Andhebeganscramblingtohisfeetwithasuddenfeelingofsecurity。Butbeforehehadfairlystoodupright，acommonsensereflectionoccurredtohimanddrovehimbackintodespair。Hethought："IfIgivewaynowtothatbruteofasoldier，hewillbeginthishorroragainto-morrow——andthedayafter——everyday——raiseotherpretensions，trampleonme，tortureme，makemehisslave——andIwillbelost！Lost！Thesteamermaynotcomefordays——maynevercome。"Heshooksothathehadtositdownontheflooragain。Heshiveredforlornly。Hefelthecouldnot，wouldnotmoveanymore。Hewascompletelydistractedbythesuddenperceptionthatthepositionwaswithoutissue——thatdeathandlifehadinamomentbecomeequallydifficultandterrible。

Allatonceheheardtheotherpushhischairback；andheleapedtohisfeetwithextremefacility。Helistenedandgotconfused。Mustrunagain！Rightorleft？Heheardfootsteps。Hedartedtotheleft，graspinghisrevolver，andattheverysameinstant，asitseemedtohim，theycameintoviolentcollision。Bothshoutedwithsurprise。A

loudexplosiontookplacebetweenthem；aroarofredfire，thicksmoke；andKayerts，deafenedandblinded，rushedbackthinking："Iamhit——it’sallover。"Heexpectedtheothertocomeround——togloatoverhisagony。Hecaughtholdofanuprightoftheroof——"Allover！"

Thenheheardacrashingfallontheothersideofthehouse，asifsomebodyhadtumbledheadlongoverachair——thensilence。Nothingmorehappened。Hedidnotdie。Onlyhisshoulderfeltasifithadbeenbadlywrenched，andhehadlosthisrevolver。Hewasdisarmedandhelpless！Hewaitedforhisfate。Theothermanmadenosound。Itwasastratagem。Hewasstalkinghimnow！Alongwhatside？Perhapshewastakingaimthisveryminute！

Afterafewmomentsofanagonyfrightfulandabsurd，hedecidedtogoandmeethisdoom。Hewaspreparedforeverysurrender。Heturnedthecorner，steadyinghimselfwithonehandonthewall；madeafewpaces，andnearlyswooned。Hehadseenonthefloor，protrudingpasttheothercorner，apairofturned-upfeet。Apairofwhitenakedfeetinredslippers。Hefeltdeadlysick，andstoodforatimeinprofounddarkness。ThenMakolaappearedbeforehim，sayingquietly："Comealong，Mr。Kayerts。Heisdead。"Heburstintotearsofgratitude；aloud，sobbingfitofcrying。AfteratimehefoundhimselfsittinginachairandlookingatCarlier，wholaystretchedonhisback。Makolawaskneelingoverthebody。

"Isthisyourrevolver？"askedMakola，gettingup。

"Yes，"saidKayerts；thenheaddedveryquickly，"Heranaftermetoshootme——yousaw！"

"Yes，Isaw，"saidMakola。"Thereisonlyonerevolver；where’shis？"

"Don’tknow，"whisperedKayertsinavoicethathadbecomesuddenlyveryfaint。

"Iwillgoandlookforit，"saidtheother，gently。Hemadetheroundalongtheverandah，whileKayertssatstillandlookedatthecorpse。

Makolacamebackempty-handed，stoodindeepthought，thensteppedquietlyintothedeadman’sroom，andcameoutdirectlywitharevolver，whichheheldupbeforeKayerts。Kayertsshuthiseyes。

Everythingwasgoinground。Hefoundlifemoreterribleanddifficultthandeath。Hehadshotanunarmedman。

Aftermeditatingforawhile，Makolasaidsoftly，pointingatthedeadmanwholaytherewithhisrighteyeblownout——

"Hediedoffever。"Kayertslookedathimwithastonystare。"Yes，"

repeatedMakola，thoughtfully，steppingoverthecorpse，"Ithinkhediedoffever。Buryhimto-morrow。"

Andhewentawayslowlytohisexpectantwife，leavingthetwowhitemenaloneontheverandah。

Nightcame，andKayertssatunmovingonhischair。Hesatquietasifhehadtakenadoseofopium。Theviolenceoftheemotionshehadpassedthroughproducedafeelingofexhaustedserenity。Hehadplumbedinoneshortafternoonthedepthsofhorroranddespair，andnowfoundreposeintheconvictionthatlifehadnomoresecretsforhim：neitherhaddeath！Hesatbythecorpsethinking；thinkingveryactively，thinkingverynewthoughts。Heseemedtohavebrokenloosefromhimselfaltogether。Hisoldthoughts，convictions，likesanddislikes，thingsherespectedandthingsheabhorred，appearedintheirtruelightatlast！Appearedcontemptibleandchildish，falseandridiculous。Herevelledinhisnewwisdomwhilehesatbythemanhehadkilled。Hearguedwithhimselfaboutallthingsunderheavenwiththatkindofwrong-headedluciditywhichmaybeobservedinsomelunatics。Incidentallyhereflectedthatthefellowdeadtherehadbeenanoxiousbeastanyway；thatmendiedeverydayinthousands；

perhapsinhundredsofthousands——whocouldtell？——andthatinthenumber，thatonedeathcouldnotpossiblymakeanydifference；

couldn’thaveanyimportance，atleasttoathinkingcreature。He，Kayerts，wasathinkingcreature。Hehadbeenallhislife，tillthatmoment，abelieverinalotofnonsenseliketherestofmankind——whoarefools；butnowhethought！Heknew！Hewasatpeace；hewasfamiliarwiththehighestwisdom！Thenhetriedtoimaginehimselfdead，andCarliersittinginhischairwatchinghim；andhisattemptmetwithsuchunexpectedsuccess，thatinaveryfewmomentshebecamenotatallsurewhowasdeadandwhowasalive。Thisextraordinaryachievementofhisfancystartledhim，however，andbyacleverandtimelyeffortofmindhesavedhimselfjustintimefrombecomingCarlier。Hisheartthumped，andhefelthotalloveratthethoughtofthatdanger。Carlier！Whatabeastlything！Tocomposehisnowdisturbednerves——andnowonder！——hetriedtowhistlealittle。Then，suddenly，hefellasleep，orthoughthehadslept；butatanyratetherewasafog，andsomebodyhadwhistledinthefog。

Hestoodup。Thedayhadcome，andaheavymisthaddescendedupontheland：themistpenetrating，enveloping，andsilent；themorningmistoftropicallands；themistthatclingsandkills；themistwhiteanddeadly，immaculateandpoisonous。Hestoodup，sawthebody，andthrewhisarmsabovehisheadwithacrylikethatofamanwho，wakingfromatrance，findshimselfimmuredforeverinatomb。"Help！……MyGod！"

Ashriekinhuman，vibratingandsudden，piercedlikeasharpdartthewhiteshroudofthatlandofsorrow。Threeshort，impatientscreechesfollowed，andthen，foratime，thefog-wreathsrolledon，undisturbed，throughaformidablesilence。Thenmanymoreshrieks，rapidandpiercing，liketheyellsofsomeexasperatedandruthlesscreature，renttheair。ProgresswascallingtoKayertsfromtheriver。Progressandcivilizationandallthevirtues。Societywascallingtoitsaccomplishedchildtocome，tobetakencareof，tobeinstructed，tobejudged，tobecondemned；itcalledhimtoreturntothatrubbishheapfromwhichhehadwanderedaway，sothatjusticecouldbedone。

Kayertsheardandunderstood。Hestumbledoutoftheverandah，leavingtheothermanquitealoneforthefirsttimesincetheyhadbeenthrowntheretogether。Hegropedhiswaythroughthefog，callinginhisignoranceupontheinvisibleheaventoundoitswork。Makolaflittedbyinthemist，shoutingasheran——

"Steamer！Steamer！Theycan’tsee。Theywhistleforthestation。Igoringthebell。Godowntothelanding，sir。Iring。"

Hedisappeared。Kayertsstoodstill。Helookedupwards；thefogrolledlowoverhishead。Helookedroundlikeamanwhohaslosthisway；

andhesawadarksmudge，across-shapedstain，upontheshiftingpurityofthemist。Ashebegantostumbletowardsit，thestationbellranginatumultuouspealitsanswertotheimpatientclamourofthesteamer。

TheManagingDirectoroftheGreatCivilizingCompany（sinceweknowthatcivilizationfollowstrade）landedfirst，andincontinentlylostsightofthesteamer。Thefogdownbytheriverwasexceedinglydense；

above，atthestation，thebellrangunceasingandbrazen。

TheDirectorshoutedloudlytothesteamer：

"Thereisnobodydowntomeetus；theremaybesomethingwrong，thoughtheyareringing。Youhadbettercome，too！"

Andhebegantotoilupthesteepbank。Thecaptainandtheengine-driveroftheboatfollowedbehind。Astheyscrambledupthefogthinned，andtheycouldseetheirDirectoragoodwayahead。

Suddenlytheysawhimstartforward，callingtothemoverhisshoulder：——"Run！Runtothehouse！I’vefoundoneofthem。Run，lookfortheother！"

Hehadfoundoneofthem！Andevenhe，themanofvariedandstartlingexperience，wassomewhatdiscomposedbythemannerofthisfinding。

Hestoodandfumbledinhispockets（foraknife）whilehefacedKayerts，whowashangingbyaleatherstrapfromthecross。Hehadevidentlyclimbedthegrave，whichwashighandnarrow，andaftertyingtheendofthestraptothearm，hadswunghimselfoff。Histoeswereonlyacoupleofinchesabovetheground；hisarmshungstifflydown；heseemedtobestandingrigidlyatattention，butwithonepurplecheekplayfullyposedontheshoulder。And，irreverently，hewasputtingoutaswollentongueathisManagingDirector。

THERETURN

TheinnercircletrainfromtheCityrushedimpetuouslyoutofablackholeandpulledupwithadiscordant，grindingracketinthesmirchedtwilightofaWest-Endstation。Alineofdoorsflewopenandalotofmensteppedoutheadlong。Theyhadhighhats，healthypalefaces，darkovercoatsandshinyboots；theyheldintheirglovedhandsthinumbrellasandhastilyfoldedeveningpapersthatresembledstiff，dirtyragsofgreenish，pinkish，orwhitishcolour。AlvanHerveysteppedoutwiththerest，asmoulderingcigarbetweenhisteeth。A

disregardedlittlewomaninrustyblack，withbotharmsfullofparcels，ranalongindistress，boltedsuddenlyintoathird-classcompartmentandthetrainwenton。Theslammingofcarriagedoorsburstoutsharpandspitefullikeafusillade；anicydraughtmingledwithacridfumessweptthewholelengthoftheplatformandmadeatotteringoldman，wrappeduptohisearsinawoollencomforter，stopshortinthemovingthrongtocoughviolentlyoverhisstick。Noonesparedhimaglance。

AlvanHerveypassedthroughtheticketgate。Betweenthebarewallsofasordidstaircasemenclamberedrapidly；theirbacksappearedalike——almostasiftheyhadbeenwearingauniform；theirindifferentfaceswerevariedbutsomehowsuggestedkinship，likethefacesofabandofbrotherswhothroughprudence，dignity，disgust，orforesightwouldresolutelyignoreeachother；andtheireyes，quickorslow；

theireyesgazingupthedustysteps；theireyesbrown，black，gray，blue，hadallthesamestare，concentratedandempty，satisfiedandunthinking。

Outsidethebigdoorwayofthestreettheyscatteredinalldirections，walkingawayfastfromoneanotherwiththehurriedairofmenfleeingfromsomethingcompromising；fromfamiliarityorconfidences；fromsomethingsuspectedandconcealed——liketruthorpestilence。AlvanHerveyhesitated，standingaloneinthedoorwayforamoment；thendecidedtowalkhome。

Hestrodefirmly。Amistyrainsettledlikesilverydustonclothes，onmoustaches；wettedthefaces，varnishedtheflagstones，darkenedthewalls，drippedfromumbrellas。Andhemovedonintherainwithcarelessserenity，withthetranquileaseofsomeonesuccessfulanddisdainful，verysureofhimself——amanwithlotsofmoneyandfriends。Hewastall，wellset-up，good-lookingandhealthy；andhisclearpalefacehadunderitscommonplacerefinementthatslighttingeofoverbearingbrutalitywhichisgivenbythepossessionofonlypartlydifficultaccomplishments；byexcellingingames，orintheartofmakingmoney；bytheeasymasteryoveranimalsandoverneedymen。

Hewasgoinghomemuchearlierthanusual，straightfromtheCityandwithoutcallingathisclub。Heconsideredhimselfwellconnected，welleducatedandintelligent。Whodoesn’t？Buthisconnections，educationandintelligencewerestrictlyonaparwiththoseofthemenwithwhomhedidbusinessoramusedhimself。Hehadmarriedfiveyearsago。Atthetimeallhisacquaintanceshadsaidhewasverymuchinlove；andhehadsaidsohimself，frankly，becauseitisverywellunderstoodthateverymanfallsinloveonceinhislife——unlesshiswifedies，whenitmaybequitepraiseworthytofallinloveagain。

Thegirlwashealthy，tall，fair，andinhisopinionwaswellconnected，welleducatedandintelligent。Shewasalsointenselyboredwithherhomewhere，asifpackedinatightbox，herindividuality——

ofwhichshewasveryconscious——hadnoplay。Shestrodelikeagrenadier，wasstronganduprightlikeanobelisk，hadabeautifulface，acandidbrow，pureeyes，andnotathoughtofherowninherhead。Hesurrenderedquicklytoallthosecharms，andsheappearedtohimsounquestionablyoftherightsortthathedidnothesitateforamomenttodeclarehimselfinlove。Underthecoverofthatsacredandpoeticalfictionhedesiredhermasterfully，forvariousreasons；butprincipallyforthesatisfactionofhavinghisownway。Hewasverydullandsolemnaboutit——fornoearthlyreason，unlesstoconcealhisfeelings——whichisaneminentlyproperthingtodo。Nobody，however，wouldhavebeenshockedhadheneglectedthatduty，forthefeelingheexperiencedreallywasalonging——alongingstrongerandalittlemorecomplexnodoubt，butnomorereprehensibleinitsnaturethanahungryman’sappetiteforhisdinner。

Aftertheirmarriagetheybusiedthemselves，withmarkedsuccess，inenlargingthecircleoftheiracquaintance。Thirtypeopleknewthembysight；twentymorewithsmilingdemonstrationstoleratedtheiroccasionalpresencewithinhospitablethresholds；atleastfiftyothersbecameawareoftheirexistence。Theymovedintheirenlargedworldamongstperfectlydelightfulmenandwomenwhofearedemotion，enthusiasm，orfailure，morethanfire，war，ormortaldisease；whotoleratedonlythecommonestformulasofcommonestthoughts，andrecognizedonlyprofitablefacts。Itwasanextremelycharmingsphere，theabodeofallthevirtues，wherenothingisrealizedandwherealljoysandsorrowsarecautiouslytoneddownintopleasuresandannoyances。Inthatsereneregion，then，wherenoblesentimentsarecultivatedinsufficientprofusiontoconcealthepitilessmaterialismofthoughtsandaspirationsAlvanHerveyandhiswifespentfiveyearsofprudentblissuncloudedbyanydoubtastothemoralproprietyoftheirexistence。She，togiveherindividualityfairplay，tookupallmannerofphilanthropicworkandbecameamemberofvariousrescuingandreformingsocietiespatronizedorpresidedoverbyladiesoftitle。Hetookanactiveinterestinpolitics；andhavingmetquitebychancealiteraryman——whoneverthelesswasrelatedtoanearl——hewasinducedtofinanceamoribundsocietypaper。Itwasasemi-political，andwhollyscandalouspublication，redeemedbyexcessivedulness；andasitwasutterlyfaithless，asitcontainednonewthought，asitneverbyanychancehadaflashofwit，satire，orindignationinitspages，hejudgeditrespectableenough，atfirstsight。Afterwards，whenitpaid，hepromptlyperceivedthatuponthewholeitwasavirtuousundertaking。

Itpavedthewayofhisambition；andheenjoyedalsothespecialkindofimportancehederivedfromthisconnectionwithwhatheimaginedtobeliterature。

Thisconnectionstillfurtherenlargedtheirworld。Menwhowroteordrewprettilyforthepubliccameattimestotheirhouse，andhiseditorcameveryoften。Hethoughthimratheranassbecausehehadsuchbigfrontteeth（theproperthingistohavesmall，eventeeth）

andworehishairatriflelongerthanmostmendo。However，somedukesweartheirhairlong，andthefellowindubitablyknewhisbusiness。Theworstwasthathisgravity，thoughperfectlyportentous，couldnotbetrusted。Hesat，elegantandbulky，inthedrawing-room，theheadofhisstickhoveringinfrontofhisbigteeth，andtalkedforhourswithathick-lippedsmile（hesaidnothingthatcouldbeconsideredobjectionableandnotquitethething）talkedinanunusualmanner——notobviouslyirritatingly。Hisforeheadwastoolofty——unusuallyso——andunderittherewasastraightnose，lostbetweenthehairlesscheeks，thatinasmoothcurveranintoachinshapedliketheendofasnow-shoe。Andinthisfacethatresembledthefaceofafatandfiendishlyknowingbabythereglitteredapairofclever，peering，unbelievingblackeyes。Hewroteversestoo。

Ratheranass。Butthebandofmenwhotrailedattheskirtsofhismonumentalfrock-coatseemedtoperceivewonderfulthingsinwhathesaid。AlvanHerveyputitdowntoaffectation。Thoseartistchaps，uponthewhole，weresoaffected。Still，allthiswashighlyproper——veryusefultohim——andhiswifeseemedtolikeit——asifshealsohadderivedsomedistinctandsecretadvantagefromthisintellectualconnection。Shereceivedhermixedanddecorousguestswithakindoftall，ponderousgrace，peculiarlyherownandwhichawakenedinthemindofintimidatedstrangersincongruousandimproperreminiscencesofanelephant，agiraffe，agazelle；ofagothictower——ofanovergrownangel。HerThursdayswerebecomingfamousintheirworld；andtheirworldgrewsteadily，annexingstreetafterstreet。ItincludedalsoSomebody’sGardens，aCrescent——acoupleofSquares。

ThusAlvanHerveyandhiswifeforfiveprosperousyearslivedbythesideofoneanother。Intimetheycametoknoweachothersufficientlywellforallthepracticalpurposesofsuchanexistence，buttheywerenomorecapableofrealintimacythantwoanimalsfeedingatthesamemanger，underthesameroof，inaluxuriousstable。Hislongingwasappeasedandbecameahabit；andshehadherdesire——thedesiretogetawayfromunderthepaternalroof，toassertherindividuality，tomoveinherownset（somuchsmarterthantheparentalone）；tohaveahomeofherown，andherownshareoftheworld’srespect，envy，andapplause。Theyunderstoodeachotherwarily，tacitly，likeapairofcautiousconspiratorsinaprofitableplot；becausetheywerebothunabletolookatafact，asentiment，aprinciple，orabeliefotherwisethaninthelightoftheirowndignity，oftheirownglorification，oftheirownadvantage。Theyskimmedoverthesurfaceoflifehandinhand，inapureandfrostyatmosphere——liketwoskilfulskaterscuttingfiguresonthickicefortheadmirationofthebeholders，anddisdainfullyignoringthehiddenstream，thestreamrestlessanddark；thestreamoflife，profoundandunfrozen。

AlvanHerveyturnedtwicetotheleft，oncetotheright，walkedalongtwosidesofasquare，inthemiddleofwhichgroupsoftame-lookingtreesstoodinrespectablecaptivitybehindironrailings，andrangathisdoor。Aparlourmaidopened。Afadofhiswife’s，this，tohaveonlywomenservants。Thatgirl，whileshetookhishatandovercoat，saidsomethingwhichmadehimlookathiswatch。Itwasfiveo’clock，andhiswifenotathome。Therewasnothingunusualinthat。Hesaid，"No；notea，"andwentupstairs。

Heascendedwithoutfootfalls。Brassrodsglimmeredalluptheredcarpet。Onthefirst-floorlandingamarblewoman，decentlycoveredfromnecktoinstepwithstonedraperies，advancedarowoflifelesstoestotheedgeofthepedestal，andthrustoutblindlyarigidwhitearmholdingaclusteroflights。Hehadartistictastes——athome。

Heavycurtainscaughtback，halfconcealeddarkcorners。Ontherich，stampedpaperofthewallshungsketches，water-colours，engravings。

Histastesweredistinctlyartistic。Oldchurchtowerspeepedabovegreenmassesoffoliage；thehillswerepurple，thesandsyellow，theseassunny，theskiesblue。Ayoungladysprawledwithdreamyeyesinamooredboat，incompanyofalunchbasket，achampagnebottle，andanenamouredmaninablazer。Bare-leggedboysflirtedsweetlywithraggedmaidens，sleptonstonesteps，gambolledwithdogs。A

patheticallyleangirlflattenedagainstablankwall，turnedupexpiringeyesandtenderedaflowerforsale；while，nearby，thelargephotographsofsomefamousandmutilatedbas-reliefsseemedtorepresentamassacreturnedintostone。

Helooked，ofcourse，atnothing，ascendedanotherflightofstairsandwentstraightintothedressingroom。Abronzedragonnailedbythetailtoabracketwrithedawayfromthewallincalmconvolutions，andheld，betweentheconventionalfuryofitsjaws，acrudegasflamethatresembledabutterfly。Theroomwasempty，ofcourse；but，ashesteppedin，itbecamefilledallatoncewithastirofmanypeople；

becausethestripsofglassonthedoorsofwardrobesandhiswife’slargepier-glassreflectedhimfromheadtofoot，andmultipliedhisimageintoacrowdofgentlemanlyandslavishimitators，whoweredressedexactlylikehimself；hadthesamerestrainedandraregestures；whomovedwhenhemoved，stoodstillwithhiminanobsequiousimmobility，andhadjustsuchappearancesoflifeandfeelingashethoughtitdignifiedandsafeforanymantomanifest。

Andlikerealpeoplewhoareslavesofcommonthoughts，thatarenoteventheirown，theyaffectedashadowyindependencebythesuperficialvarietyoftheirmovements。Theymovedtogetherwithhim；

buttheyeitheradvancedtomeethim，orwalkedawayfromhim；theyappeared，disappeared；theyseemedtododgebehindwalnutfurniture，tobeseenagain，farwithinthepolishedpanes，steppingaboutdistinctandunrealintheconvincingillusionofaroom。Andlikethemenherespectedtheycouldbetrustedtodonothingindividual，original，orstartling——nothingunforeseenandnothingimproper。

Hemovedforatimeaimlesslyinthatgoodcompany，hummingapopularbutrefinedtune，andthinkingvaguelyofabusinessletterfromabroad，whichhadtobeansweredonthemorrowwithcautiousprevarication。Then，ashewalkedtowardsawardrobe，hesawappearingathisback，inthehighmirror，thecornerofhiswife’sdressing-

table，andamongsttheglitterofsilver-mountedobjectsonit，thesquarewhitepatchofanenvelope。Itwassuchanunusualthingtobeseentherethathespunroundalmostbeforeherealizedhissurprise；

andalltheshammenabouthimpivotedontheirheels；allappearedsurprised；andallmovedrapidlytowardsenvelopesondressing-tables。

Herecognizedhiswife’shandwritingandsawthattheenvelopewasaddressedtohimself。Hemuttered，"Howveryodd，"andfeltannoyed。

Apartfromanyoddactionbeingessentiallyanindecentthinginitself，thefactofhiswifeindulginginitmadeitdoublyoffensive。

Thatsheshouldwritetohimatall，whensheknewhewouldbehomefordinner，wasperfectlyridiculous；butthatsheshouldleaveitlikethis——inevidenceforchancediscovery——struckhimassooutrageousthat，thinkingofit，heexperiencedsuddenlyastaggeringsenseofinsecurity，anabsurdandbizarreflashofanotionthatthehousehadmovedalittleunderhisfeet。Hetoretheenvelopeopen，glancedattheletter，andsatdowninachairnearby。

Heheldthepaperbeforehiseyesandlookedathalfadozenlinesscrawledonthepage，whilehewasstunnedbyanoisemeaninglessandviolent，liketheclashofgongsorthebeatingofdrums；agreataimlessuproarthat，inamanner，preventedhimfromhearinghimselfthinkandmadehismindanabsoluteblank。Thisabsurdanddistractingtumultseemedtooozeoutofthewrittenwords，toissuefrombetweenhisveryfingersthattrembled，holdingthepaper。Andsuddenlyhedroppedtheletterasthoughithadbeensomethinghot，orvenomous，orfilthy；andrushingtothewindowwiththeunreflectingprecipitationofamananxioustoraiseanalarmoffireormurder，hethrewitupandputhisheadout。

Achillgustofwind，wanderingthroughthedampandsootyobscurityoverthewasteofroofsandchimney-pots，touchedhisfacewithaclammyflick。Hesawanillimitabledarkness，inwhichstoodablackjumbleofwalls，and，betweenthem，themanyrowsofgaslightsstretchedfarawayinlonglines，likestrung-upbeadsoffire。A

sinisterloomasofahiddenconflagrationlitupfaintlyfrombelowthemist，fallinguponabillowyandmotionlessseaoftilesandbricks。Attherattleoftheopenedwindowtheworldseemedtoleapoutofthenightandconfronthim，whilefloatinguptohisearstherecameasoundvastandfaint；thedeepmutterofsomethingimmenseandalive。Itpenetratedhimwithafeelingofdismayandhegaspedsilently。Fromthecab-standinthesquarecamedistincthoarsevoicesandajeeringlaughwhichsoundedominouslyharshandcruel。Itsoundedthreatening。Hedrewhisheadin，asifbeforeanaimedblow，andflungthewindowdownquickly。Hemadeafewsteps，stumbledagainstachair，andwithagreateffort，pulledhimselftogethertolayholdofacertainthoughtthatwaswhizzingaboutlooseinhishead。

Hegotitatlast，aftermoreexertionthanheexpected；hewasflushedandpuffedalittleasthoughhehadbeencatchingitwithhishands，buthismentalholdonitwasweak，soweakthathejudgeditnecessarytorepeatitaloud——tohearitspokenfirmly——inordertoinsureaperfectmeasureofpossession。Buthewasunwillingtohearhisownvoice——tohearanysoundwhatever——owingtoavaguebelief，shapingitselfslowlywithinhim，thatsolitudeandsilencearethegreatestfelicitiesofmankind。Thenextmomentitdawneduponhimthattheyareperfectlyunattainable——thatfacesmustbeseen，wordsspoken，thoughtsheard。Allthewords——allthethoughts！

Hesaidverydistinctly，andlookingatthecarpet，"She’sgone。"

Itwasterrible——notthefactbutthewords；thewordschargedwiththeshadowymightofameaning，thatseemedtopossessthetremendouspowertocallFatedownupontheearth，likethosestrangeandappallingwordsthatsometimesareheardinsleep。Theyvibratedroundhiminametallicatmosphere，inaspacethathadthehardnessofironandtheresonanceofabellofbronze。Lookingdownbetweenthetoesofhisbootsheseemedtolistenthoughtfullytotherecedingwaveofsound；tothewavespreadingoutinawideningcircle，embracingstreets，roofs，church-steeples，fields——andtravellingaway，wideningendlessly，far，veryfar，wherehecouldnothear——wherehecouldnotimagineanything——where……

"And——withthat……ass，"hesaidagainwithoutstirringintheleast。Andtherewasnothingbuthumiliation。Nothingelse。Hecouldderivenomoralsolacefromanyaspectofthesituation，whichradiatedpainonlyoneveryside。Pain。Whatkindofpain？Itoccurredtohimthatheoughttobeheart-broken；butinanexceedinglyshortmomentheperceivedthathissufferingwasnothingofsotriflinganddignifiedakind。Itwasaltogetheramoreseriousmatter，andpartookratherofthenatureofthosesubtleandcruelfeelingswhichareawakenedbyakickorahorse-whipping。

Hefeltverysick——physicallysick——asthoughhehadbittenthroughsomethingnauseous。Life，thattoawell-orderedmindshouldbeamatterofcongratulation，appearedtohim，forasecondorso，perfectlyintolerable。Hepickedupthepaperathisfeet，andsatdownwiththewishtothinkitout，tounderstandwhyhiswife——hiswife！——shouldleavehim，shouldthrowawayrespect，comfort，peace，decency，positionthrowawayeverythingfornothing！Hesethimselftothinkoutthehiddenlogicofheraction——amentalundertakingfitfortheleisurehoursofamadhouse，thoughhecouldn’tseeit。Andhethoughtofhiswifeineveryrelationexcepttheonlyfundamentalone。

Hethoughtofherasawell-bredgirl，asawife，asaculturedperson，asthemistressofahouse，asalady；butheneverforamomentthoughtofhersimplyasawoman。

Thenafreshwave，aragingwaveofhumiliation，sweptthroughhismind，andleftnothingtherebutapersonalsenseofundeservedabasement。Whyshouldhebemixedupwithsuchahorridexposure！Itannihilatedalltheadvantagesofhiswell-orderedpast，byatrutheffectiveandunjustlikeacalumny——andthepastwaswasted。Itsfailurewasdisclosed——adistinctfailure，onhispart，tosee，toguard，tounderstand。Itcouldnotbedenied；itcouldnotbeexplainedaway，hustledoutofsight。Hecouldnotsitonitandlooksolemn。Now——ifshehadonlydied！

Ifshehadonlydied！Hewasdriventoenvysucharespectablebereavement，andonesoperfectlyfreefromanytaintofmisfortunethatevenhisbestfriendorhisbestenemywouldnothavefelttheslightestthrillofexultation。Noonewouldhavecared。Hesoughtcomfortinclingingtothecontemplationoftheonlyfactoflifethattheresoluteeffortsofmankindhadneverfailedtodisguiseintheclatterandglamourofphrases。Andnothinglendsitselfmoretoliesthandeath。Ifshehadonlydied！Certainwordswouldhavebeensaidtohiminasadtone，andhe，withproperfortitude，wouldhavemadeappropriateanswers。Therewereprecedentsforsuchanoccasion。Andnoonewouldhavecared。Ifshehadonlydied！Thepromises，theterrors，thehopesofeternity，aretheconcernofthecorruptdead；

buttheobvioussweetnessoflifebelongstoliving，healthymen。Andlifewashisconcern：thatsaneandgratifyingexistenceuntroubledbytoomuchloveorbytoomuchregret。Shehadinterferedwithit；shehaddefacedit。Andsuddenlyitoccurredtohimhemusthavebeenmadtomarry。Itwastoomuchinthenatureofgivingyourselfaway，ofwearing——ifforamoment——yourheartonyoursleeve。Buteveryonemarried。Wasallmankindmad！

Intheshockofthatstartlingthoughthelookedup，andsawtotheleft，totheright，infront，mensittingfaroffinchairsandlookingathimwithwildeyes——emissariesofadistractedmankindintrudingtospyuponhispainandhishumiliation。Itwasnottobeborne。Herosequickly，andtheothersjumpedup，too，onallsides。

Hestoodstillinthemiddleoftheroomasifdiscouragedbytheirvigilance。Noescape！Hefeltsomethingakintodespair。Everybodymustknow。Theservantsmustknowto-night。Hegroundhisteeth……

Andhehadnevernoticed，neverguessedanything。Everyonewillknow。

Hethought："Thewoman’samonster，buteverybodywillthinkmeafool"；andstandingstillinthemidstofseverewalnut-woodfurniture，hefeltsuchatempestofanguishwithinhimthatheseemedtoseehimselfrollingonthecarpet，beatinghisheadagainstthewall。Hewasdisgustedwithhimself，withtheloathsomerushofemotionbreakingthroughallthereservesthatguardedhismanhood。

Somethingunknown，witheringandpoisonous，hadenteredhislife，passednearhim，touchedhim，andhewasdeteriorating。Hewasappalled。Whatwasit？Shewasgone。Why？Hisheadwasreadytoburstwiththeendeavourtounderstandheractandhissubtlehorrorofit。

Everythingwaschanged。Why？Onlyawomangone，afterall；andyethehadavision，avisionquickanddistinctasadream：thevisionofeverythinghehadthoughtindestructibleandsafeintheworldcrashingdownabouthim，likesolidwallsdobeforethefiercebreathofahurricane。Hestared，shakingineverylimb，whilehefeltthedestructivebreath，themysteriousbreath，thebreathofpassion，stirtheprofoundpeaceofthehouse。Helookedroundinfear。Yes。

Crimemaybeforgiven；uncalculatingsacrifice，blindtrust，burningfaith，otherfollies，maybeturnedtoaccount；suffering，deathitself，maywithagrinorafrownbeexplainedaway；butpassionistheunpardonableandsecretinfamyofourhearts，athingtocurse，tohideandtodeny；ashamelessandforlornthingthattramplesuponthesmilingpromises，thattearsofftheplacidmask，thatstripsthebodyoflife。Andithadcometohim！Ithadlaiditsuncleanhanduponthespotlessdraperiesofhisexistence，andhehadtofaceitalonewithalltheworldlookingon。Alltheworld！Andhethoughtthateventhebaresuspicionofsuchanadversarywithinhishousecarriedwithitataintandacondemnation。Heputbothhishandsoutasiftowardoffthereproachofadefilingtruth；and，instantly，theappalledconclaveofunrealmen，standingaboutmutelybeyondtheclearlustreofmirrors，madeathimthesamegestureofrejectionandhorror。

Heglancedvainlyhereandthere，likeamanlookingindesperationforaweaponorforahidingplace，andunderstoodatlastthathewasdisarmedandcorneredbytheenemythat，withoutanysqueamishness，wouldstrikesoastolayopenhisheart。Hecouldgethelpnowhere，oreventakecounselwithhimself，becauseinthesuddenshockofherdesertionthesentimentswhichheknewthatinfidelitytohisbringingup，tohisprejudicesandhissurroundings，heoughttoexperience，weresomixedupwiththenoveltyofrealfeelings，offundamentalfeelingsthatknownothingofcreed，class，oreducation，thathewasunabletodistinguishclearlybetweenwhatisandwhatoughttobe；betweentheinexcusabletruthandthevalidpretences。

Andheknewinstinctivelythattruthwouldbeofnousetohim。Somekindofconcealmentseemedanecessitybecauseonecannotexplain。Ofcoursenot！Whowouldlisten？Onehadsimplytobewithoutstainandwithoutreproachtokeepone’splaceintheforefrontoflife。

Hesaidtohimself，"ImustgetoveritthebestIcan，"andbegantowalkupanddowntheroom。Whatnext？Whatoughttobedone？Hethought："Iwilltravel——noIwon’t。Ishallfaceitout。"Andafterthatresolvehewasgreatlycheeredbythereflectionthatitwouldbeamuteandaneasyparttoplay，fornoonewouldbelikelytoconversewithhimabouttheabominableconductof——thatwoman。Hearguedtohimselfthatdecentpeople——andheknewnoothers——didnotcaretotalkaboutsuchindelicateaffairs。Shehadgoneoff——withthatunhealthy，fatassofajournalist。Why？Hehadbeenallahusbandoughttobe。Hehadgivenheragoodposition——shesharedhisprospects——hehadtreatedherinvariablywithgreatconsideration。Hereviewedhisconductwithakindofdismalpride。Ithadbeenirreproachable。Then，why？Forlove？Profanation！Therecouldbenolovethere。Ashamefulimpulseofpassion。Yes，passion。Hisownwife！

GoodGod！……Andtheindelicateaspectofhisdomesticmisfortunestruckhimwithsuchshamethat，nextmoment，hecaughthimselfintheactofponderingabsurdlyoverthenotionwhetheritwouldnotbemoredignifiedforhimtoinduceageneralbeliefthathehadbeeninthehabitofbeatinghiswife。Somefellowsdo……andanythingwouldbebetterthanthefilthyfact；foritwasclearhehadlivedwiththerootofitforfiveyears——anditwastooshameful。Anything！

Anything！Brutality……Buthegaveitupdirectly，andbegantothinkoftheDivorceCourt。Itdidnotpresentitselftohim，notwithstandinghisrespectforlawandusage，asaproperrefugefordignifiedgrief。Itappearedratherasanuncleanandsinistercavernwheremenandwomenarehaledbyadversefatetowritheridiculouslyinthepresenceofuncompromisingtruth。Itshouldnotbeallowed。

Thatwoman！Five……years……marriedfiveyears……andnevertoseeanything。Nottotheverylastday……nottillshecoollywentoff。Andhepicturedtohimselfallthepeopleheknewengagedinspeculatingastowhetherallthattimehehadbeenblind，foolish，orinfatuated。Whatawoman！Blind！……Notatall。Couldaclean-mindedmanimaginesuchdepravity？Evidentlynot。Hedrewafreebreath。Thatwastheattitudetotake；itwasdignifiedenough；itgavehimtheadvantage，andhecouldnothelpperceivingthatitwasmoral。Heyearnedunaffectedlytoseemorality（inhisperson）

triumphantbeforetheworld。Astohershewouldbeforgotten。Letherbeforgotten——buriedinoblivion——lost！Noonewouldallude……

Refinedpeople——andeverymanandwomanheknewcouldbesodescribed——had，ofcourse，ahorrorofsuchtopics。Hadthey？Oh，yes。

Noonewouldalludetoher……inhishearing。Hestampedhisfoot，toretheletteracross，thenagainandagain。Thethoughtofsympathizingfriendsexcitedinhimafuryofmistrust。Heflungdownthesmallbitsofpaper。Theysettled，flutteringathisfeet，andlookedverywhiteonthedarkcarpet，likeascatteredhandfulofsnow-flakes。

Thisfitofhotangerwassucceededbyasuddensadness，bythedarkeningpassageofathoughtthatranoverthescorchedsurfaceofhisheart，likeuponabarrenplain，andafterafiercerassaultofsunrays，themelancholyandcoolingshadowofacloud。Herealizedthathehadhadashock——notaviolentorrendingblow，thatcanbeseen，resisted，returned，forgotten，butathrust，insidiousandpenetrating，thathadstirredallthosefeelings，concealedandcruel，whichtheartsofthedevil，thefearsofmankind——God’sinfinitecompassion，perhaps——keepchaineddeepdownintheinscrutabletwilightofourbreasts。Adarkcurtainseemedtorisebeforehim，andforlessthanasecondhelookeduponthemysteriousuniverseofmoralsuffering。Asalandscapeisseencomplete，andvast，andvivid，underaflashoflightning，sohecouldseedisclosedinamomentalltheimmensityofpainthatcanbecontainedinoneshortmomentofhumanthought。Thenthecurtainfellagain，buthisrapidvisionleftinAlvanHervey’smindatrailofinvinciblesadness，asenseoflossandbittersolitude，asthoughhehadbeenrobbedandexiled。Foramomentheceasedtobeamemberofsocietywithaposition，acareer，andanameattachedtoallthis，likeadescriptivelabelofsomecomplicatedcompound。Hewasasimplehumanbeingremovedfromthedelightfulworldofcrescentsandsquares。Hestoodalone，nakedandafraid，likethefirstmanonthefirstdayofevil。Thereareinlifeevents，contacts，glimpses，thatseembrutallytobringallthepasttoaclose。Thereisashockandacrash，asofagateflungtobehindonebytheperfidioushandoffate。Goandseekanotherparadise，foolorsage。Thereisamomentofdumbdismay，andthewanderingsmustbeginagain；thepainfulexplainingawayoffacts，thefeverishrakingupofillusions，thecultivationofafreshcropofliesinthesweatofone’sbrow，tosustainlife，tomakeitsupportable，tomakeitfair，soastohandintacttoanothergenerationofblindwanderersthecharminglegendofaheartlesscountry，ofapromisedland，allflowersandblessings。