A Damsel in Distress

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse

A Damsel in Distress o Chapter 1 o Chapter 2 o Chapter 3 o Chapter 4 o Chapter 5 o Chapter 6 o Chapter 7 o Chapter 8 o Chapter 9 o Chapter 10 o Chapter 11 o Chapter 12 o Chapter 13 o Chapter 14 o Chapter 15 o Chapter 16 o Chapter 17 o Chapter 18 o Chapter 19 o Chapter 20 o Chapter 21 o Chapter 22 o Chapter 23 o Chapter 24 o Chapter 25 o Chapter 26 o Chapter 27

A Damsel in Distress by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse

Chapter 1
Inasmuch as the scene of this story is that historic pile !elpher Castle in the county of "ampshire it #oul$ %e an a&reea%le tas' to open it #ith a leisurely $escription of the place follo#e$ %y some notes on the history of the (arls of )arshmoreton #ho ha*e o#ne$ it since the fifteenth century+ ,nfortunately in these $ays of rush an$ hurry a no*elist #or's at a $isa$*anta&e+ "e must leap into the mi$$le of his tale #ith as little $elay as he #oul$ employ in %oar$in& a mo*in& tramcar+ "e must &et off the mar' #ith the smooth s#iftness of a -ac'.ra%%it surprise$ #hile lunchin&+ /ther#ise people thro# him asi$e an$ &o out to picture palaces+ I may %riefly remar' that the present 0or$ )arshmoreton is a #i$o#er of some forty. ei&ht years1 that he has t#o chil$ren2a son 3ercy 4il%raham )arsh 0or$ !elpher #ho is on the %rin' of his t#enty.first %irth$ay an$ a $au&hter 0a$y 3atricia )au$ )arsh #ho is -ust t#enty1 that the chatelaine of the castle is 0a$y Caroline !yn& 0or$ )arshmoreton5s sister #ho marrie$ the *ery #ealthy colliery o#ner Cliffor$ !yn& a fe# years %efore his $eath 6#hich un'in$ people say she hastene$71 an$ that she has a step.son 8e&inal$+ 9i*e me time to mention these fe# facts an$ I am $one+ /n the &lorious past of the )arshmoretons I #ill not e*en touch+ 0uc'ily the loss to literature is not irrepara%le+ 0or$ )arshmoreton himself is en&a&e$ upon a history of the family #hich #ill $ou%tless %e on e*ery %oo'shelf as soon as his lor$ship &ets it finishe$+ An$ as for the castle an$ its surroun$in&s inclu$in& the mo$el $airy an$ the am%er $ra#in&.room you may see them for yourself any :hurs$ay #hen !elpher is thro#n open to the pu%lic on payment of a fee of one shillin& a hea$+ :he money is collecte$ %y ;e&&s the %utler an$ &oes to a #orthy local charity+ At least that is the i$ea+ !ut the *oice of calumny is ne*er silent an$ there e<ists a school of thou&ht hea$e$ %y Al%ert the pa&e.%oy #hich hol$s that ;e&&s stic's to these shillin&s li'e &lue an$ a$$s them to his alrea$y consi$era%le sa*in&s in the =armers5 an$ )erchants5 !an' on the left si$e of the "i&h >treet in !elpher *illa&e ne<t $oor to the /$$fello#s5 "all+ 4ith re&ar$ to this one can only say that ;e&&s loo's far too much li'e a particularly saintly %ishop to in$ul&e in any such practices+ /n the other han$ Al%ert 'no#s ;e&&s+ 4e must lea*e the matter open+ /f course appearances are $ecepti*e+ Anyone for instance #ho ha$ %een stan$in& outsi$e the front entrance of the castle at ele*en o5cloc' on a certain ?une mornin& mi&ht easily ha*e ma$e a mista'e+ >uch a person #oul$ pro%a%ly ha*e -umpe$ to the conclusion that the mi$$le.a&e$ la$y of a $etermine$ cast of countenance #ho #as stan$in& near the rose.&ar$en tal'in& to the &ar$ener an$ #atchin& the youn& couple strollin& on the terrace %elo# #as the mother of the pretty &irl an$ that she #as smilin& %ecause the latter ha$ recently %ecome en&a&e$ to the tall pleasant.face$ youth at her si$e+ >herloc' "olmes himself mi&ht ha*e %een misle$+ /ne can hear him e<plainin& the

thin& to 4atson in one of those li&htnin& flashes of in$ucti*e reasonin& of his+ @It is the only e<planation my $ear 4atson+ If the la$y #ere merely complimentin& the &ar$ener on his rose.&ar$en an$ if her smile #ere merely cause$ %y the e<cellent appearance of that rose.&ar$en there #oul$ %e an ans#erin& smile on the face of the &ar$ener+ !ut as you see he loo's morose an$ &loomy+A As a matter of fact the &ar$ener2that is to say the stoc'y %ro#n.face$ man in shirt slee*es an$ cor$uroy trousers #ho #as fro#nin& into a can of #hale.oil solution2#as the (arl of )arshmoreton an$ there #ere t#o reasons for his &loom+ "e hate$ to %e interrupte$ #hile #or'in& an$ furthermore 0a$y Caroline !yn& al#ays &ot on his ner*es an$ ne*er more so than #hen as no# she speculate$ on the possi%ility of a romance %et#een her step.son 8e&&ie an$ his lor$ship5s $au&hter )au$+ /nly his intimates #oul$ ha*e reco&niBe$ in this curious cor$uroy.trousere$ fi&ure the se*enth (arl of )arshmoreton+ :he 0or$ )arshmoreton #ho ma$e intermittent appearances in 0on$on #ho lunche$ amon& %ishops at the Athenaeum Clu% #ithout e<citin& remar' #as a correctly $resse$ &entleman #hom no one #oul$ ha*e suspecte$ of co*erin& his stur$y le&s in anythin& %ut the finest cloth+ !ut if you #ill &lance at your copy of 4ho5s 4ho an$ turn up the @)5sA you #ill fin$ in the space allotte$ to the (arl the #or$s @"o%%y29ar$enin&A+ :o #hich in a %urst of mo$est pri$e his lor$ship has a$$e$ @A#ar$e$ first priBe for "y%ri$ :eas :emple =lo#er >ho# 1911A+ :he #or$s tell their o#n story+ 0or$ )arshmoreton #as the most enthusiastic amateur &ar$ener in a lan$ of enthusiastic amateur &ar$eners+ "e li*e$ for his &ar$en+ :he lo*e #hich other men e<pen$ on their nearest an$ $earest 0or$ )arshmoreton la*ishe$ on see$s roses an$ loamy soil+ :he hatre$ #hich some of his or$er feel for >ocialists an$ Dema&o&ues 0or$ )arshmoreton 'ept for roseslu&s rose.%eetles an$ the small yello#ish.#hite insect #hich is so $epra*e$ an$ sinister a character that it &oes throu&h life #ith an alias2%ein& sometimes calle$ a rose.hopper an$ sometimes a thrips+ A simple soul 0or$ )arshmoreton2mil$ an$ pleasant+ Cet put him amon& the thrips an$ he %ecame a $ealer.out of $eath an$ slau&hter a $estroyer in the class of Attila the "un an$ 9en&his ;han+ :hrips fee$ on the un$ersi$e of rose lea*es suc'in& their -uice an$ causin& them to turn yello#D an$ 0or$ )arshmoreton5s *ie#s on these thin&s #ere so ri&i$ that he #oul$ ha*e poure$ #hale.oil solution on his &ran$mother if he ha$ foun$ her on the un$ersi$e of one of his rose lea*es suc'in& its -uice+ :he only time in the $ay #hen he cease$ to %e the horny.han$e$ toiler an$ %ecame the aristocrat #as in the e*enin& after $inner #hen e&&e$ on %y 0a$y Caroline #ho &a*e him no rest in the matter2he #oul$ retire to his pri*ate stu$y an$ #or' on his "istory of the =amily assiste$ %y his a%le secretary Alice =ara$ay+ "is pro&ress on that massi*e #or' #as ho#e*er slo#+ :en hours in the open air ma$e a man $ro#sy an$ too often 0or$ )arshmoreton #oul$ fall asleep in mi$.sentence to the annoyance of )iss =ara$ay #ho #as a conscientious &irl an$ li'e$ to earn her salary+ :he couple on the terrace ha$ turne$+ 8e&&ie !yn&5s face as he %ent o*er )au$ #as earnest an$ animate$ an$ e*en from a $istance it #as possi%le to see ho# the &irl5s eyes lit up at #hat he #as sayin&+ >he #as han&in& on his #or$s+ 0a$y Caroline5s smile %ecame more an$ more %ene*olent+ @:hey ma'e a charmin& pair A she murmure$+ @I #on$er #hat $ear 8e&&ie is sayin&+ 3erhaps at this *ery moment2A

>he %ro'e off #ith a si&h of content+ >he ha$ ha$ her trou%les o*er this affair+ Dear 8e&&ie usually so plastic in her han$s ha$ $isplaye$ an unaccounta%le reluctance to offer his a&reea%le self to )au$2in spite of the fact that ne*er not e*en on the pu%lic platform #hich she a$orne$ so #ell ha$ his step.mother reasone$ more clearly than she $i$ #hen pointin& out to him the a$*anta&es of the match+ It #as not that 8e&&ie $isli'e$ )au$+ "e a$mitte$ that she #as a @topperA on se*eral occasions &oin& so far as to $escri%e her as @a%solutely pricelessA+ !ut he seeme$ reluctant to as' her to marry him+ "o# coul$ 0a$y Caroline 'no# that 8e&&ie5s entire #orl$2or such of it as #as not occupie$ %y racin& cars an$ &olf2#as fille$ %y Alice =ara$ayE 8e&&ie ha$ ne*er tol$ her+ "e ha$ not e*en tol$ )iss =ara$ay+ @3erhaps at this *ery moment A #ent on 0a$y Caroline @the $ear %oy is proposin& to her+A 0or$ )arshmoreton &runte$ an$ continue$ to peer #ith a Fuestionin& eye in the a#esome %re# #hich he ha$ prepare$ for the thrips+ @/ne thin& is *ery satisfactory A sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ @I mean that )au$ seems entirely to ha*e &ot o*er that ri$iculous infatuation of hers for that man she met in 4ales last summer+ >he coul$ not %e so cheerful if she #ere still %roo$in& on that+ I hope you #ill a$mit no# ?ohn that I #as ri&ht in 'eepin& her practically a prisoner here an$ ne*er allo#in& her a chance of meetin& the man a&ain either %y acci$ent or $esi&n+ :hey say a%sence ma'es the heart &ro# fon$er+ >tuffG A &irl of )au$5s a&e falls in an$ out of lo*e half a $oBen times a year+ I feel sure she has almost for&otten the man %y no#+A @(hEA sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ "is min$ ha$ %een far a#ay $ealin& #ith &reen flies+ @I #as spea'in& a%out that man )au$ met #hen she #as stayin& #ith !ren$a in 4ales+A @/h yesGA @/h yesGA echoe$ 0a$y Caroline annoye$+ @Is that the only comment you can fin$ to ma'eE Cour only $au&hter %ecomes infatuate$ #ith a perfect stran&er2a man #e ha*e ne*er seen2of #hom #e 'no# nothin& not e*en his name2nothin& e<cept that he is an American an$ hasn5t a penny2)au$ a$mitte$ that+ An$ all you say is H/h yes5GA @!ut it5s all o*er no# isn5t itE I un$erstoo$ the $ashe$ affair #as all o*er+A @4e hope so+ !ut I shoul$ feel safer if )au$ #ere en&a&e$ to 8e&&ie+ I $o thin' you mi&ht ta'e the trou%le to spea' to )au$+A @>pea' to herE I $o spea' to her+A 0or$ )arshmoreton5s %rain mo*e$ slo#ly #hen he #as pre.occupie$ #ith his roses+ @4e5re on e<cellent terms+A 0a$y Caroline fro#ne$ impatiently+ "ers #as an alert *i&orous min$ %ri&ht an$ stron& li'e a steel trap an$ her %rother5s *a&ueness an$ &ro#in& ha%it of inattention irritate$ her+ @I mean to spea' to her a%out %ecomin& en&a&e$ to 8e&&ie+ Cou are her father+ >urely you can at least try to persua$e her+A @Can5t coerce a &irl+A @I ne*er su&&este$ that you shoul$ coerce her as you put it+ I merely meant that you coul$ point out to her as a father #here her $uty an$ happiness lie+A @Drin' thisGA crie$ his lor$ship #ith su$$en fury sprayin& his can o*er the nearest %ush an$ a$$ressin& his remar' to the in*isi%le thrips+ "e ha$ for&otten 0a$y Caroline completely+ @Don5t stint yoursel*esG :here5s lots moreGA A &irl came $o#n the steps of the castle an$ ma$e her #ay to#ar$s them+ >he #as a

&oo$.loo'in& &irl #ith an air of Fuiet efficiency a%out her+ "er eyes #ere &rey an$ #himsical+ "er hea$ #as unco*ere$ an$ the %reeBe stirre$ her $ar' hair+ >he ma$e a &raceful picture in the mornin& sunshine an$ 8e&&ie !yn& si&htin& her from the terrace #o%%le$ in his trac's turne$ pin' an$ lost the threa$ of his remar's+ :he su$$en appearance of Alice =ara$ay al#ays affecte$ him li'e that+ @I ha*e copie$ out the notes you ma$e last ni&ht 0or$ )arshmoreton+ I type$ t#o copies+A Alice =ara$ay spo'e in a Fuiet respectful yet su%tly authoritati*e *oice+ >he #as a &irl of &reat character+ 3re*ious employers of her ser*ices as secretary ha$ foun$ her a -e#el+ :o 0or$ )arshmoreton she #as rapi$ly %ecomin& a perfect incu%us+ :heir *ie#s on the relati*e importance of &ar$enin& an$ family histories $i$ not coinci$e+ :o him the history of the )arshmoreton family #as the occupation of the i$le hour1 she seeme$ to thin' that he ou&ht to re&ar$ it as a life.#or'+ >he #as al#ays comin& an$ $i&&in& him out of the &ar$en an$ $ra&&in& him %ac' to #hat shoul$ ha*e %een a purely after.$inner tas'+ It #as 0or$ )arshmoreton5s ha%it #hen he a#o'e after one of his naps too late to resume #or' to thro# out some *a&ue promise of @atten$in& to it tomorro#AD %ut he reflecte$ %itterly the &irl ou&ht to ha*e tact an$ sense to un$erstan$ that this #as only polite persifla&e an$ not to %e ta'en literally+ @:hey are *ery rou&h A continue$ Alice a$$ressin& her con*ersation to the seat of his lor$ship5s cor$uroy trousers+ 0or$ )arshmoreton al#ays assume$ a stoopin& attitu$e #hen he sa# )iss =ara$ay approachin& #ith papers in her han$D for he la%oure$ un$er a pathetic $elusion of #hich no amount of failures coul$ ri$ him that if she $i$ not see his face she #oul$ #ith$ra#+ @Cou remem%er last ni&ht you promise$ you #oul$ atten$ to them this mornin&+A >he pause$ lon& enou&h to recei*e a non.committal &runt %y #ay of ans#er+ @/f course if you5re %usy2A she sai$ placi$ly #ith a half.&lance at 0a$y Caroline+ :hat masterful #oman coul$ al#ays %e counte$ on as an ally in these little encounters+ @Iothin& of the 'in$GA sai$ 0a$y Caroline crisply+ >he #as still ruffle$ %y the lac' of attention #hich her recent utterances ha$ recei*e$ an$ #elcome$ the chance of a$ministerin& $iscipline+ @9et up at once ?ohn an$ &o in an$ #or'+A @I am #or'in& A plea$e$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ Despite his forty.ei&ht years his sister Caroline still ha$ the po#er at times to ma'e him feel li'e a small %oy+ >he ha$ %een a &reat martinet in the $ays of their mutual nursery+ @:he =amily "istory is more important than &ru%%in& a%out in the $irt+ I cannot un$erstan$ #hy you $o not lea*e this sort of thin& to )ac3herson+ 4hy you shoul$ pay him li%eral #a&es an$ then $o his #or' for him I cannot see+ Cou 'no# the pu%lishers are #aitin& for the "istory+ 9o an$ atten$ to these notes at once+A @Cou promise$ you #oul$ atten$ to them this mornin& 0or$ )arshmoreton A sai$ Alice in*itin&ly+ 0or$ )arshmoreton clun& to his can of #hale.oil solution #ith the clutch of a $ro#nin& man+ Ione 'ne# %etter than he that these inter*ie#s especially #hen Caroline #as present to len$ the #ei&ht of her $ominatin& personality al#ays en$e$ in the same #ay+ @Ces yes yesGA he sai$+ @:oni&ht perhaps+ After $inner ehE Ces after $inner+ :hat #ill %e capital+A @I thin' you ou&ht to atten$ to them this mornin& A sai$ Alice &ently persistent+ It

really pertur%e$ this &irl to feel that she #as not $oin& #or' enou&h to merit her &enerous salary+ An$ on the su%-ect of the history of the )arshmoreton family she #as an enthusiast+ It ha$ a &lamour for her+ 0or$ )arshmoreton5s fin&ers rela<e$ their hol$+ :hrou&hout the rose.&ar$en hun$re$s of spare$ thrips #ent on #ith their mornin& meal un#ittin& of $oom a*erte$+ @/h all ri&ht all ri&ht all ri&htG Come into the li%rary+A @Jery #ell 0or$ )arshmoreton+A )iss =ara$ay turne$ to 0a$y Caroline+ @I ha*e %een loo'in& up the trains 0a$y Caroline+ :he %est is the t#el*e.fifteen+ It has a $inin&.car an$ stops at !elpher if si&nalle$+A @Are you &oin& a#ay CarolineEA inFuire$ 0or$ )arshmoreton hopefully+ @I am &i*in& a short tal' to the >ocial 3ro&ress 0ea&ue at 0e#isham+ I shall return tomorro#+A @/hGA sai$ )arshmoreton hope fa$in& from his *oice+ @:han' you )iss =ara$ay A sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ @:he t#el*e.fifteen+A @:he motor #ill %e roun$ at a Fuarter to t#el*e+A @:han' you+ /h %y the #ay )iss =ara$ay #ill you call to 8e&&ie as you pass an$ tell him I #ish to spea' to him+A )au$ ha$ left 8e&&ie %y the time Alice =ara$ay reache$ him an$ that ar$ent youth #as sittin& on a stone seat smo'in& a ci&arette an$ entertainin& himself #ith me$itations in #hich thou&hts of Alice compete$ for prece$ence #ith &ra*er reflections connecte$ #ith the su%-ect of the correct stance for his approach.shots+ 8e&&ie5s #as a trou%le$ spirit these $ays+ "e #as in lo*e an$ he ha$ $e*elope$ a %a$ slice #ith his mi$.iron+ "e #as practically a soul in torment+ @0a$y Caroline as'e$ me to tell you that she #ishes to spea' to you )r+ !yn&+A 8e&&ie leape$ from his seat+ @"ullo.ullo.ulloG :here you areG I mean to say #hatEA "e #as conscious as #as his custom in her presence of a #arm pric'ly sensation in the small of the %ac'+ >ome 'in$ of elephantiasis seeme$ to ha*e attac'e$ his han$s an$ feet s#ellin& them to enormous proportions+ "e #ishe$ profoun$ly that he coul$ &et ri$ of his ha%it of yelpin& #ith ner*ous lau&hter #hene*er he encountere$ the &irl of his $reams+ It #as calculate$ to &i*e her a #ron& impression of a chap2ma'e her thin' him a fearful chump an$ #hat notG @0a$y Caroline is lea*in& %y the t#el*e.fifteen+A @:hat5s &oo$G 4hat I mean to say is2oh she is is sheE I see #hat you mean+A :he a%solute necessity of sayin& somethin& at least mo$erately coherent &rippe$ him+ "e rallie$ his forces+ @Cou #oul$n5t care to come for a stroll after I5*e seen the mater or a ro# on the la'e or any rot li'e that #oul$ youEA @:han' you *ery much %ut I must &o in an$ help 0or$ )arshmoreton #ith his %oo'+A @4hat a rotten2I mean #hat a $am5 shameGA :he pity of it tore at 8e&&ie5s heart strin&s+ "e %urne$ #ith &enerous #rath a&ainst 0or$ )arshmoreton that mo$ern >imon 0e&ree #ho use$ his capitalistic po#er to ma'e a sla*e of this &irl an$ 'eep her toilin& in$oors #hen all the #orl$ #as sunshine+ @>hall I &o an$ as' him if you can5t put it off till after $innerEA @/h no than's *ery much+ I5m sure 0or$ )arshmoreton #oul$n5t $ream of it+A >he passe$ on #ith a pleasant smile+ 4hen he ha$ reco*ere$ from the effect of this 8e&&ie procee$e$ slo#ly to the upper le*el to meet his step.mother+

@"ullo mater+ 3retty fit an$ so forthE 4hat $i$ you #ant to see me a%outEA @4ell 8e&&ie #hat is the ne#sEA @(hE 4hatE Ie#sE Di$n5t you &et hol$ of a paper at %rea'fastE Iothin& much in it+ :am Du&&an %eat Alec =raser three up an$ t#o to play at 3rest#ic'+ I $i$n5t notice anythin& else much+ :here5s a ne# musical come$y at the 8e&al+ /pene$ last ni&ht an$ seems to %e -ust li'e mother ma'es+ :he )ornin& 3ost &a*e it a toppin& notice+ I must tric'le up to to#n an$ see it some time this #ee'+A 0a$y Caroline fro#ne$+ :his slo#ness in the upta'e comin& so soon after her %rother5s inattention $isplease$ her+ @Io no no+ I mean you an$ )au$ ha*e %een tal'in& to each other for Fuite a lon& time an$ she seeme$ *ery intereste$ in #hat you #ere sayin&+ I hope$ you mi&ht ha*e some &oo$ ne#s for me+A 8e&&ie5s face %ri&htene$+ "e cau&ht her $rift+ @/h ah yes I see #hat you mean+ Io there #asn5t anythin& of that sort or shape or or$er+A @4hat #ere you sayin& to her then that intereste$ her so muchEA @I #as e<plainin& ho# I lan$e$ $ea$ on the pin #ith my spoon out of a san$.trap at the ele*enth hole yester$ay+ It certainly #as a pretty ripe shot consi$erin&+ I5$ slice$ into this %a%y %un'er $on5t you 'no#D I simply can5t 'eep Hem strai&ht #ith the iron no#a$ays2an$ there the pill #as &rinnin& up at me from the san$+ /f course strictly spea'in& I ou&ht to ha*e use$ a ni%lic' %ut2 @Do you mean to say 8e&&ie that #ith such an e<cellent opportunity you $i$ not as' )au$ to marry youEA @I see #hat you mean+ 4ell as a matter of a%solute fact I as it #ere $i$n5t+A 0a$y Caroline uttere$ a #or$less soun$+ @!y the #ay mater A sai$ 8e&&ie @I for&ot to tell you a%out that+ It5s all off+A @4hatGA @A%solutely+ Cou see it appears there5s a chappie un'no#n for #hom )au$ has an a%solute pash+ It seems she met this sportsman up in 4ales last summer+ >he #as cau&ht in the rain an$ he happene$ to %e passin& an$ rallie$ roun$ #ith his rain.coat an$ one thin& le$ to another+ Al#ays rainin& in 4ales #hatG 9oo$ fishin& thou&h here an$ there+ 4ell #hat I mean is this co*e #as so $euce$ly ci*il an$ all that that no# she #on5t loo' at any%o$y else+ "e5s the %lue.eye$ %oy an$ e*ery%o$y else is an also.ran #ith a%out as much chance as a %lin$ man #ith one arm tryin& to &et out of a %un'er #ith a tooth.pic'+A @4hat perfect nonsenseG I 'no# all a%out that affair+ It #as -ust a passin& fancy that ne*er meant anythin&+ )au$ has &ot o*er that lon& a&o+A @>he $i$n5t seem to thin' so+A @Io# 8e&&ie A sai$ 0a$y Caroline tensely @please listen to me+ Cou 'no# that the castle #ill %e full of people in a $ay or t#o for 3ercy5s comin&.of.a&e an$ this ne<t fe# $ays may %e your last chance of ha*in& a real lon& pri*ate tal' #ith )au$+ I shall %e seriously annoye$ if you ne&lect this opportunity+ :here is no e<cuse for the #ay you are %eha*in&+ )au$ is a charmin& &irl2A @/h a%solutelyG /ne of the %est+A @Jery #ell thenGA @!ut mater #hat I mean to say is2A @I $on5t #ant any more temporiBin& 8e&&ieGA

@Io noG A%solutely notGA sai$ 8e&&ie $utifully #ishin& he 'ne# #hat the #or$ meant an$ #ishin& also that life ha$ not %ecome so fri&htfully comple<+ @Io# this afternoon #hy shoul$ you not ta'e )au$ for a lon& ri$e in your carEA 8e&&ie &re# more cheerful+ At least he ha$ an ans#er for that+ @Can5t %e $one I5m afrai$+ I5*e &ot to motor into to#n to meet 3ercy+ "e5s arri*in& from /<for$ this mornin&+ I promise$ to meet him in to#n an$ tool him %ac' in the car+A @I see+ 4ell then #hy coul$n5t you2EA @I say mater $ear ol$ soul A sai$ 8e&&ie hastily @I thin' you5$ %etter tear yourself a#ay an$ #hat not+ If you5re catchin& the t#el*e.fifteen you ou&ht to %e sta&&erin& roun$ to see you ha*en5t for&otten anythin&+ :here5s the car comin& roun$ no#+A @I #ish no# I ha$ $eci$e$ to &o %y a later train+A @Io no mustn5t miss the t#el*e.fifteen+ 9oo$ fruity train+ (*ery%o$y spea's #ell of it+ 4ell see you anon mater+ I thin' you5$ %etter run li'e a hare+A @Cou #ill remem%er #hat I sai$EA @/h a%solutelyGA @9oo$.%ye then+ I shall %e %ac' tomorro#+A 8e&&ie returne$ slo#ly to his stone seat+ "e %reathe$ a little hea*ily as he felt for his ci&arette case+ "e felt li'e a hunte$ fa#n+ )au$ came out of the house as the car $isappeare$ $o#n the lon& a*enue of elms+ >he crosse$ the terrace to #here 8e&&ie sat %roo$in& on life an$ its pro%lem+ @8e&&ieGA 8e&&ie turne$+ @"ullo )au$ $ear ol$ thin&+ :a'e a seat+A )au$ sat $o#n %esi$e him+ :here #as a flush on her pretty face an$ #hen she spo'e her *oice Fui*ere$ #ith suppresse$ e<citement+ @8e&&ie A she sai$ layin& a small han$ on his arm+ @4e5re frien$s aren5t #eEA 8e&&ie patte$ her %ac' paternally+ :here #ere fe# people he li'e$ %etter than )au$+ @Al#ays ha*e %een since the $ear ol$ $ays of chil$hoo$ #hatGA @I can trust you can5tGEA @A%solutelyGA @:here5s somethin& I #ant you to $o for me 8e&&ie+ Cou5ll ha*e to 'eep it a $ea$ secret of course+A @:he stron& silent man+ :hat5s me+ 4hat is itEA @Cou5re $ri*in& into to#n in your car this afternoon aren5t you to meet 3ercyEA @:hat #as the i$ea+A @Coul$ you &o this mornin& instea$2an$ ta'e meEA @/f course+A )au$ shoo' her hea$+ @Cou $on5t 'no# #hat you are lettin& yourself in for 8e&&ie or I5m sure you #oul$n5t a&ree so li&htly+ I5m not allo#e$ to lea*e the castle you 'no# %ecause of #hat I #as tellin& you a%out+A @:he chappieEA @Ces+ >o there #oul$ %e terri%le scenes if any%o$y foun$ out+A @Ie*er min$ $ear ol$ soul+ I5ll ris' it+ Ione shall learn your secret from these lips+A @Cou5re a $arlin& 8e&&ie+A @!ut #hat5s the i$eaE 4hy $o you #ant to &o to$ay particularlyEA

)au$ loo'e$ o*er her shoul$er+ @!ecause2A >he lo#ere$ her *oice thou&h there #as no one near+ @!ecause he is %ac' in 0on$onG "e5s a sort of secretary you 'no# 8e&&ie to his uncle an$ I sa# in the paper this mornin& that the uncle returne$ yester$ay after a lon& *oya&e in his yacht+ >o 2he must ha*e come %ac' too+ "e has to &o e*ery#here his uncle &oes+A @An$ e*ery#here the uncle #ent the chappie #as sure to &oGA murmure$ 8e&&ie+ @>orry+ Di$n5t mean to interrupt+A @I must see him+ I ha*en5t seen him since last summer2nearly a #hole yearG An$ he hasn5t #ritten to me an$ I ha*en5t $are$ to #rite to him for fear of the letter &oin& #ron&+ >o you see I must &o+ :o$ay5s my only chance+ Aunt Caroline has &one a#ay+ =ather #ill %e %usy in the &ar$en an$ #on5t notice #hether I5m here or not+ An$ %esi$es tomorro# it #ill %e too late %ecause 3ercy #ill %e here+ "e #as more furious a%out the thin& than anyone+A @8ather the prou$ aristocrat 3ercy A a&ree$ 8e&&ie+ @I un$erstan$ a%solutely+ :ell me -ust #hat you #ant me to $o+A @I #ant you to pic' me up in the car a%out half a mile $o#n the roa$+ Cou can $rop me some#here in 3icca$illy+ :hat #ill %e near enou&h to #here I #ant to &o+ !ut the most important thin& is a%out 3ercy+ Cou must persua$e him to stay an$ $ine in to#n an$ come %ac' here after $inner+ :hen I shall %e a%le to &et %ac' %y an afternoon train an$ no one #ill 'no# I5*e %een &one+A @:hat5s simple enou&h #hatE Consi$er it $one+ 4hen $o you #ant to startEA @At once+A @I5ll to$$le roun$ to the &ara&e an$ fetch the car+A 8e&&ie chuc'le$ amuse$ly+ @8um thin&G :he mater5s -ust %een tellin& me I ou&ht to ta'e you for a $ri*e+A @Cou are a $arlin& 8e&&ie reallyGA 8e&&ie &a*e her %ac' another paternal pat+ @I 'no# #hat it means to %e in lo*e $ear ol$ soul+ I say )au$ ol$ thin& $o you fin$ lo*e puts you off your stro'eE 4hat I mean is $oes it ma'e you slice your approach. shotsEA )au$ lau&he$+ @Io+ It hasn5t ha$ any effect on my &ame so far+ I #ent roun$ in ei&hty.si< the other $ay+A 8e&&ie si&he$ en*iously+ @4omen are #on$erfulGA he sai$+ @4ell I5ll %e le&&in& it an$ fetchin& the car+ 4hen you5re rea$y stroll alon& $o#n the roa$ an$ #ait for me+A KKK 4hen he ha$ &one )au$ pulle$ a small ne#spaper clippin& from her poc'et+ >he ha$ e<tracte$ it from yester$ay5s copy of the )ornin& 3ost5s society column+ It containe$ only a fe# #or$s1 @)r+ 4il%ur 8aymon$ has returne$ to his resi$ence at Io+ 11a !el&ra*e >Fuare from a prolon&e$ *oya&e in his yacht the >iren+A )au$ $i$ not 'no# )r+ 4il%ur 8aymon$ an$ yet that para&raph ha$ sent the %loo$ tin&lin& throu&h e*ery *ein in her %o$y+ =or as she ha$ in$icate$ to 8e&&ie #hen the 4il%ur 8aymon$s of this #orl$ return to their to#n resi$ences they %rin& #ith them their nephe# an$ secretary 9eoffrey 8aymon$+ An$ 9eoffrey 8aymon$ #as the man )au$ ha$ lo*e$ e*er since the $ay #hen she ha$ met him in 4ales+

Chapter 2
:he sun that ha$ shone so %ri&htly on !elpher Castle at noon #hen )au$ an$ 8e&&ie !yn& set out on their -ourney shone on the 4est.(n$ of 0on$on #ith eFual pleasantness at t#o o5cloc'+ In 0ittle 9ooch >treet all the chil$ren of all the small shop'eepers #ho support life in that %ac'#ater %y sellin& each other *e&eta%les an$ sin&in& canaries #ere out an$ a%out playin& curious &ames of their o#n in*ention+ Cats #ashe$ themsel*es on $oorsteps preparatory to loo'in& in for lunch at one of the numerous &ar%a&e cans #hich $otte$ the si$e#al'+ 4aiters peere$ austerely from the #in$o#s of the t#o Italian restaurants #hich carry on the 0ucretia !or&ia tra$ition %y means of one shillin& an$ si<penny ta%le $5hote luncheons+ :he proprietor of the &rocery store on the corner #as %i$$in& a silent fare#ell to a tomato #hich e*en he thou&h a $auntless optimist ha$ %een compelle$ to reco&niBe as ha*in& outli*e$ its utility+ /n all these thin&s the sun shone #ith a &enial smile+ 8oun$ the corner in >haftes%ury A*enue an east #in$ #as $oin& its %est to pierce the har$ene$ hi$es of the citiBenryD %ut it $i$ not penetrate into 0ittle 9ooch >treet #hich facin& south an$ %ein& narro# an$ sheltere$ #as ena%le$ practically to %as'+ )ac the stout &uar$ian of the sta&e $oor of the 8e&al :heatre #hose &il$e$ front entrance is on the A*enue emer&e$ from the little &lass case in #hich the mana&ement 'ept him an$ came out to o%ser*e life an$ its phenomena #ith an in$ul&ent eye+ )ac #as feelin& happy this mornin&+ "is -o% #as a permanent one not influence$ %y the success or failure of the pro$uctions #hich follo#e$ one another at the theatre throu&hout the yearD %ut he felt ne*ertheless a sort of proprietary interest in these *entures an$ #as please$ #hen they secure$ the appro*al of the pu%lic+ 0ast ni&ht5s openin& a musical piece %y an American author an$ composer ha$ un$ou%te$ly ma$e a %i& hit an$ )ac #as &la$ %ecause he li'e$ #hat he ha$ seen of the company an$ in the %rief time in #hich he ha$ 'no#n him ha$ come to entertain a #arm re&ar$ for 9eor&e !e*an the composer #ho ha$ tra*elle$ o*er from Ie# Cor' to help #ith the 0on$on pro$uction+ 9eor&e !e*an turne$ the corner no# #al'in& slo#ly an$ it seeme$ to )ac &loomily to#ar$s the sta&e $oor+ "e #as a youn& man of a%out t#enty.se*en tall an$ #ell 'nit #ith an a&reea%le clean.cut face of #hich a pair of &oo$ an$ honest eyes #ere the most noticea%le feature+ "is sensiti*e mouth #as $ra#n $o#n a little at the corners an$ he loo'e$ tire$+ @)ornin& )ac+A @9oo$ mornin& sir+A @Anythin& for meEA @Ces sir+ >ome tele&rams+ I5ll &et Hem+ /h I5ll 9(: Hem A sai$ )ac as if reassurin& some $ou%tin& frien$ an$ supporter as to his a%ility to carry throu&h a la%our of "ercules+ "e $isappeare$ into his &lass case+ 9eor&e !e*an remaine$ outsi$e in the street sur*eyin& the fris'in& chil$ren #ith a som%re &lance+ :hey seeme$ to him *ery noisy *ery $irty an$ *ery youn&+ Dis&ustin&ly youn&+ :heirs #as -oyous e<u%erant youth #hich ma$e a fello# feel at least si<ty+ >omethin& #as #ron& #ith 9eor&e to$ay for normally he #as fon$ of chil$ren+ In$ee$ normally he #as fon$ of most thin&s+ "e #as a &oo$.nature$ an$ cheerful youn& man #ho li'e$ life an$ the &reat ma-ority of those #ho li*e$ it contemporaneously #ith himself+ "e ha$ no enemies an$ many frien$s+ !ut to$ay he ha$ notice$ from the moment he ha$ &ot out of %e$ that somethin& #as

amiss #ith the #orl$+ (ither he #as in the &rip of some $i*ine $iscontent $ue to the hi&hly $e*elope$ con$ition of his soul or else he ha$ a &rouch+ /ne of the t#o+ /r it mi&ht ha*e %een the reaction from the emotions of the pre*ious ni&ht+ /n the mornin& after an openin& your sensiti*e artist is al#ays apt to feel as if he ha$ %een $rie$ o*er a %arrel+ !esi$es last ni&ht there ha$ %een a supper party after the performance at the flat #hich the come$ian of the troupe ha$ rente$ in ?ermyn >treet a force$ ro#$y supper party #here a num%er of tire$ people #ith o*er.straine$ ner*es ha$ seeme$ to feel it a $uty to %e artificially *i*acious+ It ha$ laste$ till four o5cloc' #hen the mornin& papers #ith the notices arri*e$ an$ 9eor&e ha$ not &ot to %e$ till four.thirty+ :hese thin&s colour the mental outloo'+ )ac reappeare$+ @"ere you are sir+A @:han's+A 9eor&e put the tele&rams in his poc'et+ A cat on its #ay %ac' from lunch pause$ %esi$e him in or$er to use his le& as a ser*iette+ 9eor&e tic'le$ it un$er the ear a%stracte$ly+ "e #as al#ays courteous to cats %ut to$ay he #ent throu&h the mo*ements perfunctorily an$ #ithout enthusiasm+ :he cat mo*e$ on+ )ac %ecame con*ersational+ @:hey tell me the piece #as a hit last ni&ht sir+A @It seeme$ to &o *ery #ell+A @)y )issus sa# it from the &allery an$ all the first.ni&hters #as spea'in& *ery Hi&hly of it+ :here5s a re&ular clic' you 'no# sir o*er here in 0on$on that &oes to all the first ni&hts in the &allery+ HI&hly critical they are al#ays+ >pecially if it5s an American piece li'e this one+ If they $on5t li'e it they precious soon let you 'no#+ )y missus ses they #as all spea'in5 *ery Hi&hly of it+ )y missus says she ain5t seen a li*elier sho# for a lon& time an$ she5s a &reat theatre&oer+ )y missus says they #as all specially please$ #ith the music+A @:hat5s &oo$+A @:he )ornin& 0ea$er &i*e it a fine #rite.up+ "o# #as the rest of the papersEA @>plen$i$ all of them+ I ha*en5t seen the e*enin& papers yet+ I came out to &et them+A )ac loo'e$ $o#n the street+ @:here5ll %e a rehearsal this afternoon I suppose sirE "ere5s )iss Dore comin& alon&+A 9eor&e follo#e$ his &lance+ A tall &irl in a tailor.ma$e suit of %lue #as comin& to#ar$s them+ (*en at a $istance one cau&ht the &enial personality of the ne# arri*al+ It seeme$ to &o %efore her li'e a heartenin& %reeBe+ >he pic'e$ her #ay carefully throu&h the chil$ren cra#lin& on the si$e #al'+ >he stoppe$ for a moment an$ sai$ somethin& to one of them+ :he chil$ &rinne$+ (*en the proprietor of the &rocery store appeare$ to %ri&hten up at the si&ht of her as at the si&ht of some ol$ frien$+ @"o#5s %usiness !illEA she calle$ to him as she passe$ the spot #here he stoo$ %roo$in& on the mortality of tomatoes+ An$ thou&h he replie$ @8ottenA a faint &rim smile $i$ ne*ertheless flic'er across his tra&ic mas'+ !illie Dore #ho #as one of the chorus of 9eor&e !e*an5s musical come$y ha$ an attracti*e face a mouth that lau&he$ rea$ily rather %ri&ht &ol$en hair 6#hich she #as fon$ of insistin& #ith perfect truth #as &enuine thou&h appearances #ere a&ainst it7 an$ stea$y %lue eyes+ :he latter #ere freFuently employe$ %y her in Fuellin& a$mirers #ho

#ere encoura&e$ %y the former to %ecome too ar$ent+ !illie5s *ie#s on the opposite se< #ho for&ot themsel*es #ere as ri&i$ as those of 0or$ )arshmoreton concernin& thrips+ >he li'e$ men an$ she #oul$ si&nify this li'in& in a practical manner %y lunchin& an$ $inin& #ith them %ut she #as entirely self.supportin& an$ #hen men o*erloo'e$ that fact she remin$e$ them of it in no uncertain *oiceD for she #as a &irl of rea$y speech an$ $irect+ @H)ornin& 9eor&e+ H)ornin& )ac+ Any mailEA @I5ll see miss+A @"o# $i$ your %etter four.fifths li'e the sho# )acEA @I #as -ust tellin& )r+ !e*an miss that the missus sai$ she Ha$n5t seen a li*elier sho# for a lon& time+A @=ine+ I 'ne# I5$ %e a hit+ 4ell 9eor&e ho#5s the %oy this %ri&ht afternoonEA @0imp an$ pessimistic+A @:hat comes of sittin& up till four in the mornin& #ith festi*e hams+A @Cou #ere up as late as I #as an$ you loo' li'e 0ittle (*a after a ni&ht of s#eet chil$ish slum%er+A @Ces %ut I $ran' &in&er ale an$ $i$n5t smo'e ei&hteen ci&ars+ An$ yet I $on5t 'no#+ I thin' I must %e &ettin& ol$ 9eor&e+ All.ni&ht parties seem to ha*e lost their charm+ I #as rea$y to Fuit at one o5cloc' %ut it $i$n5t seem matey+ I thin' I5ll marry a farmer an$ settle $o#n+A 9eor&e #as amaBe$+ "e ha$ not e<pecte$ to fin$ his present *ie# of life share$ in this Fuarter+ @I #as -ust thin'in& myself A he sai$ feelin& not for the first time ho# $ifferent !illie #as from the ma-ority of those #ith #hom his profession %rou&ht him in contact @ho# flat it all #as+ :he sho# %usiness I mean an$ these $arne$ first ni&hts an$ the party after the sho# #hich you can5t si$estep+ >omethin& tells me I5m a%out throu&h+A !illie Dore no$$e$+ @Any%o$y #ith any sense is al#ays a%out throu&h #ith the sho# %usiness+ I 'no# I am+ If you thin' I5m #e$$e$ to my art let me tell you I5m &oin& to &et a $i*orce the first chance that comes alon&+ It5s funny a%out the sho# %usiness+ :he #ay one $rifts into it an$ stic's I mean+ :a'e me for e<ample+ Iature ha$ it all $ope$ out for me to %e the !elle of "ic's Corners+ 4hat I ou&ht to ha*e $one #as to %uy a &in&ham %onnet an$ mil' co#s+ !ut I #oul$ come to the &reat city an$ help %ri&hten up the tire$ %usiness man+A @I $i$n5t 'no# you #ere fon$ of the country !illie+A @)eE I #rote the #or$s an$ music+ Di$n5t you 'no# I #as a country 'i$E )y $a$ ran a !i$e a 4ee "ome for flo#ers an$ I use$ to 'no# them all %y their mi$$le names+ "e #as a nursery &ar$ener out in In$iana+ I tell you #hen I see a rose no#a$ays I sha'e its han$ an$ say1 H4ell #ell Cyril ho#5s e*erythin& #ith youE An$ ho# are ?oe an$ ?ac' an$ ?immy an$ all the rest of the %oys at homeE5 Do you 'no# ho# I use$ to put in my time the first fe# ni&hts I #as o*er here in 0on$onE I use$ to han& aroun$ Co*ent 9ar$en #ith my hea$ %ac' sniffin&+ :he %oys that mess a%out #ith the flo#ers there use$ to stu% their toes on me so often that they &ot to loo' on me as part of the scenery+A @:hat5s #here #e ou&ht to ha*e %een last ni&ht+A @4e5$ ha*e ha$ a %etter time+ >ay 9eor&e $i$ you see the a#ful mista'e on Iature5s part that !a%e >inclair sho#e$ up #ith to#ar$s the mi$$le of the procee$in&sE Cou must

ha*e notice$ him %ecause he too' up more room than any one man #as entitle$ to+ "is name #as >penser 9ray+A 9eor&e recalle$ ha*in& %een intro$uce$ to a fat man of his o#n a&e #ho ans#ere$ to that name+ @It5s a $arne$ shame A sai$ !illie in$i&nantly+ @!a%e is only a 'i$+ :his is the first sho# she5s %een in+ An$ I happen to 'no# there5s an a#fully nice %oy o*er in Ie# Cor' craBy to marry her+ An$ I5m certain this &in' is &i*in& her a ra# $eal+ "e trie$ to &et hol$ of me a%out a #ee' a&o %ut I turne$ him $o#n har$D an$ I suppose he thin's !a%e is easier+ An$ it5s no &oo$ tal'in& to herD she thin's he5s #on$erful+ :hat5s another 'ic' I ha*e a&ainst the sho# %usiness+ It seems to ma'e &irls such $arne$ chumps+ 4ell I #on$er ho# much lon&er )r+ Ar%uc'le is &oin& to %e retrie*in& my mail+ 4hat ho #ithin there =attyGA )ac came out apolo&etic carryin& letters+ @>orry miss+ !y an o*ersi&ht I put you amon& the 95s+A @All5s #ell that en$s #ell+ H3ut me amon& the 95s+5 :here5s a &oo$ title for a son& for you 9eor&e+ (<cuse me #hile I &rapple #ith the correspon$ence+ I5ll %et half of these are mash notes+ I &ot three %et#een the first an$ secon$ acts last ni&ht+ 4hy the no%ility an$ &entry of this %ur& shoul$ thin' that I5m their affinity -ust %ecause I5*e &ot &ol$en hair2 #hich is perfectly &enuine )acD I can sho# you the pe$i&ree2an$ %ecause I earn an honest li*in& sin&in& off the 'ey is more than I can un$erstan$+A )ac leane$ his massi*e shoul$ers comforta%ly a&ainst the %uil$in& an$ resume$ his chat+ @I e<pect you5re feelin& *ery Happy to$ay sirEA 9eor&e pon$ere$+ "e #as certainly feelin& %etter since he ha$ seen !illie Dore %ut he #as far from %ein& himself+ @I ou&ht to %e I suppose+ !ut I5m not+A @Ah you5re &ettin& %larBy sir that5s #hat it is+ Cou5*e Ha$ too much of the fat you Ha*e+ :his piece #as a %i& Hit in America #asn5t itEA @Ces+ It ran o*er a year in Ie# Cor' an$ there are three companies of it out no#+A @:hat5s Ho# it is you see+ Cou5*e &one an$ &ot %larBy+ :oo %i& a Helpin& of success you5*e Ha$+A )ac #a&&e$ a hea$ li'e a har*est moon+ @Cou aren5t a marrie$ man are you sirEA !illie Dore finishe$ s'immin& throu&h her mail an$ crumple$ the letters up into a lar&e %all #hich she han$e$ to )ac+ @"ere5s somethin& for you to rea$ in your spare moments )ac+ 9lance throu&h them any time you ha*e a suspicion you may %e a chump an$ you5ll ha*e the comfort of 'no#in& that there are others+ 4hat #ere you sayin& a%out %ein& marrie$EA @)r+ !e*an an$ I #as Ha*in& a tal' a%out Him %ein& %larBy miss+A @Are you %larBy 9eor&eEA @>o )ac says+A @An$ #hy is he %larBy missEA $eman$e$ )ac rhetorically+ @Don5t as' me A sai$ !illie+ @It5s not my fault+A @It5s %ecause as I #as sayin& He5s Ha$ too %i& a Helpin& of success an$ %ecause He ain5t a marrie$ man+ Cou $i$ say you #asn5t a marrie$ man $i$n5t you sirEA @I $i$n5t+ !ut I5m not+A @:hat5s Ho# it is you see+ Cou pretty soon &ets sic' of pullin& off &oo$ thin&s if you

ain5t &ot no%o$y to pat you on the %ac' for $oin& of it+ 4hy #hen I #as sin&le if I &ot Hol$ of a sure thin& for the three o5cloc' race an$ pic'e$ up a couple of Fui$ the thrill of it $i$n5t seem to lin&er someho#+ !ut no# if some of the &entlemen that come Here put me on to somethin& safe an$ I ma'e a %it Harf the fascination of it is ta'in& the stuff Home an$ rollin& it on to the 'itchen ta%le an$ Ha*in& Her pat me on the %ac'+A @"o# a%out #hen you loseEA @I $on5t tell Her A sai$ )ac simply+ @Cou seem to un$erstan$ the art of %ein& happy )ac+A @It ain5t an art sir+ It5s -ust &ettin5 Hol$ of the ri&ht little #oman an$ Ha*in& a nice little Home of your o#n to &o %ac' to at ni&ht+A @)ac A sai$ !illie a$mirin&ly @you tal' li'e a :in 3an Alley son& hit e<cept that you5*e left out the scent of honeysuc'le an$ /l$ )ister )oon clim%in& up o*er the trees+ 4ell you5re Fuite ri&ht+ I5m all for the simple an$ $omestic myself+ If I coul$ fin$ the ri&ht man an$ he $i$n5t see me comin& an$ $uc' I5$ %ecome one of the )en$elssohn5s )arch Dau&hters ri&ht a#ay+ Are you &oin& 9eor&eE :here5s a rehearsal at t#o.thirty for cuts+A @I #ant to &et the e*enin& papers an$ sen$ off a ca%le or t#o+ >ee you later+A @4e shall meet at 3hilippi+A )ac eye$ 9eor&e5s retreatin& %ac' till he ha$ turne$ the corner+ @A nice pleasant &entleman )r+ !e*an A he sai$+ @:oo %a$ He5s &ot the pip the #ay He Has -ust after Ha*in5 a %i& success li'e this Here+ Comes of %ein5 a artist I suppose+A )iss Dore $i*e$ into her *anity case an$ pro$uce$ a puff #ith #hich she procee$e$ to po#$er her nose+ @All composers are nuts )ac+ I #as in a sho# once #here the mana&er #as pannin& the composer %ecause there #asn5t a num%er in the score that ha$ a tune to it+ :he poor &ee' a$mitte$ they #eren5t *ery tuney %ut sai$ the thin& a%out his music #as that it ha$ such a #on$erful aroma+ :hey all &et that #ay+ :he -aBB seems to &o to their hea$s+ 9eor&e is all ri&ht thou&h an$ $on5t let anyone tell you $ifferent+A @"a*e you 'no# him lon& missEA @A%out fi*e years+ I #as a steno&rapher in the house that pu%lishe$ his son&s #hen I first met him+ An$ there5s another thin& you5*e &ot to han$ it to 9eor&e for+ "e hasn5t let success &i*e him a s#elle$ hea$+ :he money that %oy ma'es is sinful )ac+ "e #ears thousan$ $ollar %ills ne<t to his s'in #inter an$ summer+ !ut he5s -ust the same as he #as #hen I first 'ne# him #hen he #as -ust han&in& aroun$ !roa$#ay loo'in& out for a chance to %e allo#e$ to slip a couple of interpolate$ num%ers into any ol$ sho# that came alon&+ Ces+ 3ut it in your $iary )ac an$ #rite it on your cuff 9eor&e !e*an5s all ri&ht+ "e5s an ace+A ,nconscious of these eulo&ies #hich comin& from one #hose -u$&ment he respecte$ mi&ht ha*e cheere$ him up 9eor&e #an$ere$ $o#n >haftes%ury A*enue feelin& more $epresse$ than e*er+ :he sun ha$ &one in for the time %ein& an$ the east #in$ #as frolic'in& roun$ him li'e a playful puppy pattin& him #ith a col$ pa# nuBBlin& his an'les %oun$in& a#ay an$ %oun$in& %ac' a&ain an$ %eha*in& &enerally as east #in$s $o #hen they $isco*er a *ictim #ho has come out #ithout his sprin& o*ercoat+ It #as plain to 9eor&e no# that the sun an$ the #in$ #ere a couple of confi$ence tric'sters #or'in& to&ether as a team+ :he sun ha$ $isarme$ him #ith specious promises an$ an air of cheery &oo$fello#ship an$ ha$ $eli*ere$ him into the han$s of the #in$ #hich #as

no# &oin& throu&h him #ith the s#ift thorou&hness of the professional hol$.up artist+ "e Fuic'ene$ his steps an$ %e&an to #on$er if he #as so sun' in senile $ecay as to ha*e acFuire$ a li*er+ "e $iscar$e$ the theory as repellent+ An$ yet there must %e a reason for his $epression+ :o$ay of all $ays as )ac ha$ pointe$ out he ha$ e*erythin& to ma'e him happy+ 3opular as he #as in America this #as the first piece of his to %e pro$uce$ in 0on$on an$ there #as no $ou%t that it #as a success of unusual $imensions+ An$ yet he felt no elation+ "e reache$ 3icca$illy an$ turne$ #est#ar$s+ An$ then as he passe$ the &ates of the In an$ /ut Clu% he ha$ a moment of clear *ision an$ un$erstoo$ e*erythin&+ "e #as $epresse$ %ecause he #as %ore$ an$ he #as %ore$ %ecause he #as lonely+ )ac that soli$ thin'er ha$ %een ri&ht+ :he solution of the pro%lem of life #as to &et hol$ of the ri&ht &irl an$ ha*e a home to &o %ac' to at ni&ht+ "e #as mil$ly surprise$ that he ha$ trie$ in any other $irection for an e<planation of his &loom+ It #as all the more ine<plica%le in that fully 80 per cent of the lyrics #hich he ha$ set in the course of his musical come$y career ha$ ha$ that thou&ht at the %ac' of them+ 9eor&e &a*e himself up to an or&y of sentimentality+ "e seeme$ to %e alone in the #orl$ #hich ha$ paire$ itself off into a sort of seethin& #elter of happy couples+ :a<ica%s full of happy couples rolle$ %y e*ery minute+ 3assin& omni%uses crea'e$ %eneath the #ei&ht of happy couples+ :he *ery policeman across the >treet ha$ -ust &rinne$ at a flittin& shop &irl an$ she ha$ smile$ %ac' at him+ :he only female in 0on$on #ho $i$ not appear to %e attache$ #as a &irl in %ro#n #ho #as comin& alon& the si$e#al' at a leisurely pace loo'in& a%out her in a manner that su&&este$ that she foun$ 3icca$illy a ne# an$ stimulatin& spectacle+ As far as 9eor&e coul$ see she #as an e<tremely pretty &irl small an$ $ainty #ith a prou$ little tilt to her hea$ an$ the -aunty #al' that spo'e of perfect health+ >he #as in fact precisely the sort of &irl that 9eor&e felt he coul$ lo*e #ith all the store$.up $e*otion of an ol$ %uffer of t#enty.se*en #ho ha$ sFuan$ere$ none of his rich nature in foolish flirtations+ "e ha$ -ust %e&un to #ea*e a rose.tinte$ romance a%out their t#o sel*es #hen a col$ reaction set in+ (*en as he pause$ to #atch the &irl threa$in& her #ay throu&h the cro#$ the east #in$ -a%%e$ an icy fin&er $o#n the %ac' of his nec' an$ the chill of it so%ere$ him+ After all he reflecte$ %itterly this &irl #as only alone %ecause she #as on her #ay some#here to meet some confoun$e$ man+ !esi$es there #as no earthly chance of &ettin& to 'no# her+ Cou can5t rush up to pretty &irls in the street an$ tell them you are lonely+ At least you can %ut it $oesn5t &et you any#here e<cept the police station+ 9eor&e5s &loom $eepene$2a thin& he #oul$ not ha*e %elie*e$ possi%le a moment %efore+ "e felt that he ha$ %een %orn too late+ :he restraints of mo$ern ci*iliBation ir'e$ him+ It #as not he tol$ himself li'e this in the &oo$ ol$ $ays+ In the )i$$le A&es for e<ample this &irl #oul$ ha*e %een a DamselD an$ in that happy time practically e*ery%o$y #hose technical ratin& #as that of Damsel #as in $istress an$ only too #illin& to #ai*e the formalities in return for ser*ices ren$ere$ %y the casual passer.%y+ !ut the t#entieth century is a prosaic a&e #hen &irls are merely &irls an$ ha*e no trou%les at all+ 4ere he to stop this &irl in %ro#n an$ assure her that his ai$ an$ comfort #ere at her $isposal she #oul$ un$ou%te$ly call that lar&e policeman from across the #ay an$ the romance #oul$ %e&in an$ en$ #ithin the space of thirty secon$s or if the policeman #ere a Fuic' mo*er rather less+

!etter to $ismiss $reams an$ return to the practical si$e of life %y %uyin& the e*enin& papers from the sha%%y in$i*i$ual %esi$e him #ho ha$ -ust thrust an early e$ition in his face+ After all notices are notices e*en #hen the heart is achin&+ 9eor&e felt in his poc'et for the necessary money foun$ emptiness an$ remem%ere$ that he ha$ left all his rea$y fun$s at his hotel+ It #as -ust one of the thin&s he mi&ht ha*e e<pecte$ on a $ay li'e this+ :he man #ith the papers ha$ the air of one #hose %usiness is con$ucte$ on purely cash principles+ :here #as only one thin& to %e $one return to the hotel retrie*e his money an$ try to for&et the #ei&ht of the #orl$ an$ its cares in lunch+ An$ from the hotel he coul$ $espatch the t#o or three ca%les #hich he #ante$ to sen$ to Ie# Cor'+ :he &irl in %ro#n #as Fuite close no# an$ 9eor&e #as ena%le$ to &et a clearer &limpse of her+ >he more than fulfille$ the promise she ha$ &i*en at a $istance+ "a$ she %een constructe$ to his o#n specifications she #oul$ not ha*e %een more accepta%le in 9eor&e5s si&ht+ An$ no# she #as &oin& out of his life for e*er+ 4ith an o*er#helmin& sense of pathos for there is no pathos more %itter than that of partin& from someone #e ha*e ne*er met 9eor&e haile$ a ta<ica% #hich cra#le$ at the si$e of the roa$D an$ #ith all the refrains of all the sentimental son& hits he ha$ e*er compose$ rin&in& in his ears he &ot in an$ passe$ a#ay+ @A rotten #orl$ A he muse$ as the ca% after procee$in& a couple of yar$s came to a stan$still in a %loc' of the traffic+ @A $ull flat %ore of a #orl$ in #hich nothin& happens or e*er #ill happen+ (*en #hen you ta'e a ca% it -ust stic's an$ $oesn5t mo*e+A At this point the $oor of the ca% opene$ an$ the &irl in %ro#n -umpe$ in+ @I5m so sorry A she sai$ %reathlessly @%ut #oul$ you min$ hi$in& me please+A

Chapter 3
9eor&e hi$ her+ "e $i$ it too #ithout #astin& precious time %y as'in& Fuestions+ In a situation #hich mi&ht #ell ha*e thro#n the Fuic'est.#ine$ of men off his %alance he acte$ #ith promptitu$e intelli&ence an$ $espatch+ :he fact is 9eor&e ha$ for years %een an assi$uous &olferD an$ there is no finer school for teachin& concentration an$ a strict attention to the matter in han$+ =e# crises ho#e*er une<pecte$ ha*e the po#er to $istur% a man #ho has so conFuere$ the #ea'ness of the flesh as to ha*e traine$ himself to %en$ his left 'nee raise his left heel s#in& his arms #ell out from the %o$y t#ist himself into the shape of a cor'scre# an$ use the muscle of the #rist at the same time 'eepin& his hea$ still an$ his eye on the %all+ It is estimate$ that there are t#enty.three important points to %e %orne in min$ simultaneously #hile ma'in& a $ri*e at &olfD an$ to the man #ho has mastere$ the art of remem%erin& them all the tas' of hi$in& &irls in ta<ica%s is mere chil$5s play+ :o pull $o#n the %lin$s on the si$e of the *ehicle nearest the 'er% #as #ith 9eor&e the #or' of a moment+ :hen he leane$ out of the centre #in$o# in such a manner as completely to screen the interior of the ca% from pu%lic *ie#+ @:han' you so much A murmure$ a *oice %ehin$ him+ It seeme$ to come from the floor+ @Iot at all A sai$ 9eor&e tryin& a sort of *ocal chip.shot out of the corner of his mouth $esi&ne$ to lift his *oice %ac'#ar$s an$ lay it $ea$ insi$e the ca%+ "e &aBe$ upon 3icca$illy #ith eyes from #hich the scales ha$ fallen+ 8eason tol$ him that he #as still in 3icca$illy+ /ther#ise it #oul$ ha*e seeme$ incre$i%le to him that this

coul$ %e the same street #hich a moment %efore he ha$ passe$ -u$&ment upon an$ foun$ flat an$ uninterestin&+ :rue in its salient features it ha$ altere$ little+ :he same num%er of sto$&y.loo'in& people mo*e$ up an$ $o#n+ :he %uil$in&s retaine$ their air of not ha*in& ha$ a %ath since the $ays of the :u$ors+ :he east #in$ still %le#+ !ut thou&h superficially the same in reality 3icca$illy ha$ altere$ completely+ !efore it ha$ %een -ust 3icca$illy+ Io# it #as a &ol$en street in the City of 8omance a main thorou&hfare of !a&$a$ one of the principal arteries of the capital of =airylan$+ A rose.coloure$ mist s#am %efore 9eor&e5s eyes+ "is spirits so lo# %ut a fe# moments %ac' soare$ li'e a &oo$ ni%lic' shot out of the %un'er of 9loom+ :he years fell a#ay from him till in an instant from %ein& a rather poorly preser*e$ li*erish &rey%ear$ of si<ty.fi*e or so he %ecame a spri&htly la$ of t#enty.one in a #orl$ of sprin&time an$ flo#ers an$ lau&hin& %roo's+ In other #or$s ta'in& it %y an$ lar&e 9eor&e felt pretty &oo$+ :he impossi%le ha$ happene$D "ea*en ha$ sent him an a$*enture an$ he $i$n5t care if it sno#e$+ It #as possi%ly the rose.coloure$ mist %efore his eyes that pre*ente$ him from o%ser*in& the hurrie$ approach of a faultlessly attire$ youn& man a&e$ a%out t#enty.one #ho $urin& 9eor&e5s preparations for ensurin& pri*acy in his ca% ha$ %een &allopin& in pursuit in a resolute manner that su&&este$ a #ell.$resse$ %loo$houn$ some#hat o*erfe$ an$ out of con$ition+ /nly #hen this person stoppe$ an$ %e&an to pant #ithin a fe# inches of his face $i$ he %ecome a#are of his e<istence+ @Cou sirGA sai$ the %loo$houn$ remo*in& a &leamin& sil' hat moppin& a pin' forehea$ an$ replacin& the luminous superstructure once more in position+ @Cou sirGA 4hate*er may %e sai$ of the possi%ility of lo*e at first si&ht in #hich theory 9eor&e #as no# a confirme$ %elie*er there can %e no $ou%t that an e<actly opposite phenomenon is of freFuent occurrence+ After one loo' at some people e*en frien$ship is impossi%le+ >uch a one in 9eor&e5s opinion #as this &ur&lin& e<crescence un$erneath the sil' hat+ "e comprise$ in his sin&le person practically all the Fualities #hich 9eor&e $isli'e$ most+ "e #as for a youn& man e<traor$inarily o%ese+ Alrea$y a secon$ e$ition of his chin ha$ %een pu%lishe$ an$ the perfectly.cut mornin& coat #hich encase$ his upper section %ul&e$ out in an opulent semi.circle+ "e #ore a little moustache #hich to 9eor&e5s pre-u$ice$ eye seeme$ more a complaint than a moustache+ "is face #as re$ his manner $ictatorial an$ he #as touche$ in the #in$+ :a'e him for all in all he loo'e$ li'e a %it of %a$ ne#s+ 9eor&e ha$ %een e$ucate$ at 0a#rence*ille an$ "ar*ar$ an$ ha$ su%seFuently ha$ the pri*ile&e of mi<in& socially #ith many of Ie# Cor'5s most prominent theatrical mana&ersD so he 'ne# ho# to %eha*e himself+ Io Jere $e Jere coul$ ha*e e<hi%ite$ &reater repose of manner+ @An$ #hat A he inFuire$ sua*ely leanin& a little further out of the ca% @is eatin& you !illEA A messen&er %oy t#o sha%%y men en&a&e$ in non.essential in$ustries an$ a shop &irl pause$ to o%ser*e the scene+ :ime #as not of the essence to these confirme$ si&htseers+ :he shop &irl #as late alrea$y so it $i$n5t matter if she #as any laterD the messen&er %oy ha$ nothin& on han$ e<cept a messa&e mar'e$ @Important1 8ushAD an$ as for the t#o sha%%y men their only imme$iate plans consiste$ of a *a&ue intention of &ettin& to some pu%lic house an$ leanin& a&ainst the #allD so 9eor&e5s time #as their time+ /ne of the pair put his hea$ on one si$e an$ sai$1 @4hat hoGAD the other pic'e$ up a ci&ar stu% from the &utter an$ %e&an to smo'e+

@A youn& la$y -ust &ot into your ca% A sai$ the stout youn& man+ @>urely notEA sai$ 9eor&e+ @4hat the $e*il $o you mean2surely notEA @I5*e %een in the ca% all the time an$ I shoul$ ha*e notice$ it+A At this -uncture the %loc' in the traffic #as relie*e$ an$ the ca% %o#le$ smartly on for some fifty yar$s #hen it #as a&ain halte$+ 9eor&e protru$in& from the #in$o# li'e a snail #as entertaine$ %y the spectacle of the pursuit+ :he hunt #as up+ >hort of thro#in& his hea$ up an$ %ayin& the stout youn& man %eha*e$ e<actly as a %loo$houn$ in similar circumstances #oul$ ha*e con$ucte$ itself+ "e %ro'e into a -er'y &allop atten$e$ %y his self.appointe$ associatesD an$ consi$erin& that the youn& man #as so stout that the messen&er %oy consi$ere$ it unprofessional to hurry that the shop &irl ha$ $ou%ts as to #hether sprintin& #as Fuite la$yli'e an$ that the t#o !ohemians #ere mo*in& at a Fuic'er &ait than a shuffle for the first occasion in ele*en years the ca*alca$e ma$e &oo$ time+ :he ca% #as still stationary #hen they arri*e$ in a %o$y+ @"ere he is &u*5nor A sai$ the messen&er %oy remo*in& a %ea$ of perspiration #ith the rush messa&e+ @"ere he is &u*5nor A sai$ the non.smo'in& !ohemian+ @4hat ohGA @"ere I amGA a&ree$ 9eor&e affa%ly+ @An$ #hat can I $o for youEA :he smo'er spat appreciati*ely at a passin& $o&+ :he point seeme$ to him #ell ta'en+ Iot for many a $ay ha$ he so en-oye$ himself+ In an ari$ #orl$ containin& too fe# &oes of &in an$ too many policemen a #orl$ in #hich the poor #ere oppresse$ an$ coul$ sel$om e*en en-oy a Fuiet ci&ar #ithout ha*in& their fin&ers tro$$en upon he foun$ himself for the moment contente$ happy an$ e<pectant+ :his loo'e$ li'e a ro# %et#een toffs an$ of all thin&s #hich most intri&ue$ him a ro# %et#een toffs ran'e$ hi&hest+ @8GA he sai$ appro*in&ly+ @Io# you5re tor'in5GA :he shop &irl ha$ espie$ an acFuaintance in the cro#$+ >he &a*e ton&ue+ @)or$eeG CummereG Cummere Fuic'G >umfin5 hap5nin5GA )au$ie accompanie$ %y perhaps a $oBen more of 0on$on5s millions a$$e$ herself to the au$ience+ :hese all %elon&e$ to the class #hich #ill &ather roun$ an$ #atch silently #hile a motorist men$s a tyre+ :hey are not impatient+ :hey $o not call for rapi$ an$ continuous action+ A mere hole in the &roun$ #hich of all si&hts is perhaps the least *i*i$ an$ $ramatic is enou&h to &rip their attention for hours at a time+ :hey stare$ at 9eor&e an$ 9eor&e5s ca% #ith un%lin'in& &aBe+ :hey $i$ not 'no# #hat #oul$ happen or #hen it #oul$ happen %ut they inten$e$ to #ait till somethin& $i$ happen+ It mi&ht %e for years or it mi&ht %e for e*er %ut they meant to %e there #hen thin&s %e&an to occur+ >peculations %ecame au$i%le+ @4ot is itE HIacci$entEA @IahG 9ent Ha$ His poc'et pic'e$GA @:#o toffs Ha$ a scrapGA @=eller %il'e$ the ca%manGA A sceptic ma$e a cynical su&&estion+ @:hey5re $oin5 of it for the pictures+A :he i$ea &aine$ instant popularity+ @?ear thatE It5s a fillumGA @4ot o5 CharlieGA @:he 'emerer5s Hi$$en in the 'e%+A

@4ot5ll they %e up to ne<tGA A re$.nose$ spectator #ith a tray of collar.stu$s harnesse$ to his stomach starte$ another school of thou&ht+ "e spo'e #ith $ecision as one ha*in& authority+ @Iothin5 of the %lin'in5 'in$G :he fat Hun5s %in Ha*in5 one or t#o aroun$ the corner an$ it5s &orn an$ &ot into His Hea$GA :he $ri*er of the ca% #ho till no# ha$ %een ostentatiously una#are that there #as any sort of $istur%ance amon& the lo#er or$ers su$$enly %ecame humanly inFuisiti*e+ @4hat5s it all a%outEA he as'e$ s#in&in& aroun$ an$ a$$ressin& 9eor&e5s hea$+ @(<actly #hat I #ant to 'no# A sai$ 9eor&e+ "e in$icate$ the collar.stu$ merchant+ @:he &entleman o*er there #ith the porta%le 4ool#orth.%ar&ain.counter seems to me to ha*e the %est theory+A :he stout youn& man #hose peculiar %eha*iour ha$ $ra#n all this flatterin& attention from the many.hea$e$ an$ #ho appeare$ consi$era%ly ruffle$ %y the pu%licity ha$ %een puffin& noisily $urin& the fore&oin& con*ersation+ Io# ha*in& reco*ere$ sufficient %reath to resume the attac' he a$$resse$ himself to 9eor&e once more+ @Damn you sir #ill you let me loo' insi$e that ca%EA @0ea*e me A sai$ 9eor&e @I #oul$ %e alone+A @:here is a youn& la$y in that ca%+ I sa# her &et in an$ I ha*e %een #atchin& e*er since an$ she has not &ot out so she is there no#+A 9eor&e no$$e$ appro*al of this close reasonin&+ @Cour ar&ument seems to %e #ithout a fla#+ !ut #hat thenE 4e applau$ the )an of 0o&ic %ut #hat of the )an of ActionE 4hat are you &oin& to $o a%out itEA @9et out of my #ayGA @I #on5t+A @:hen I5ll force my #ay inGA @If you try it I shall infalli%ly %ust you one on the -a#+A :he stout youn& man $re# %ac' a pace+ @Cou can5t $o that sort of thin& you 'no#+A @I 'no# I can5t A sai$ 9eor&e @%ut I shall+ In this life my $ear sir #e must %e prepare$ for e*ery emer&ency+ 4e must $istin&uish %et#een the unusual an$ the impossi%le+ It #oul$ %e unusual for a comparati*e stran&er to lean out of a ca% #in$o# an$ soc' you one %ut you appear to ha*e lai$ your plans on the assumption that it #oul$ %e impossi%le+ 0et this %e a lesson to youGA @I tell you #hat it is2A @:he a$*ice I &i*e to e*ery youn& man startin& life is HIe*er confuse the unusual #ith the impossi%leG5 :a'e the present case for instance+ If you ha$ only realiBe$ the possi%ility of some%o$y some $ay %ustin& you on the -a# #hen you trie$ to &et into a ca% you mi&ht ha*e thou&ht out $oBens of crafty schemes for $ealin& #ith the matter+ As it is you are unprepare$+ :he thin& comes on you as a surprise+ :he #hisper flies aroun$ the clu%s1 H3oor ol$ 4hat5s.his.name has %een ta'en una#ares+ "e cannot cope #ith the situationGA :he man #ith the collar.stu$s ma$e another $ia&nosis+ "e #as seein& clearer an$ clearer into the thin& e*ery minute+ @0ooneyGA he $eci$e$+ @:his Here one5s %in moppin5 of it up an$ the one in the 'e%5s orf His %loomin5 onion+ :hat5s #hy He Hs stan$in5 up instea$ of settin5+ H( #on5t set $o#n Hcept you %rin& Him a %it o5 toast Hcos he thin's He Hs a poache$ e&&+A

9eor&e %eame$ upon the intelli&ent fello#+ @Cour reasonin& is a$mira%le %ut2A "e %ro'e off here not %ecause he ha$ not more to say %ut for the reason that the stout youn& man no# in Fuite a !erser' frame of min$ ma$e a su$$en sprin& at the ca% $oor an$ clutche$ the han$le #hich he #as a%out to #rench #hen 9eor&e acte$ #ith all the promptitu$e an$ $ecision #hich ha$ mar'e$ his %eha*iour from the start+ It #as a situation #hich calle$ for the nicest -u$&ment+ :o allo# the assailant free play #ith the han$le or e*en to #restle #ith him for its possession entaile$ the ris' that the $oor mi&ht open an$ re*eal the &irl+ :o %ust the youn& man on the -a# as promise$ on the other han$ #as not in 9eor&e5s eyes a practical policy+ (<cellent a $eterrent as the threat of such a procee$in& mi&ht %e its actual accomplishment #as not to %e thou&ht of+ 9aols ya#n an$ actions for assault lie in #ait for those #ho &o a%out the place %ustin& their fello#s on the -a#+ Io+ >omethin& s#ift somethin& $eci$e$ an$ imme$iate #as in$icate$ %ut somethin& that stoppe$ short of technical %attery+ 9eor&e %rou&ht his han$ roun$ #ith a s#eep an$ 'noc'e$ the stout youn& man5s sil' hat off+ :he effect #as ma&ical+ 4e all of us ha*e our Achilles heel an$2para$o<ically enou&h2in the case of the stout youn& man that heel #as his hat+ >uper%ly %uilt %y the only hatter in 0on$on #ho can construct a sil' hat that is a sil' hat an$ freshly irone$ %y lo*in& han$s %ut a %rief hour %efore at the only sha*in&.parlour in 0on$on #here ironin& is ironin& an$ not a %rutal attac' it #as his pri$e an$ -oy+ :o lose it #as li'e losin& his trousers+ It ma$e him feel insufficiently cla$+ 4ith a passionate cry li'e that of some #il$ creature $epri*e$ of its youn& the erst#hile !erser' release$ the han$le an$ spran& in pursuit+ At the same moment the traffic mo*e$ on a&ain+ :he last 9eor&e sa# #as a &roup scene #ith the stout youn& man in the mi$$le of it+ :he hat ha$ %een poppe$ up into the infiel$ #here it ha$ %een cau&ht %y the messen&er %oy+ :he stout youn& man #as %en$in& o*er it an$ stro'in& it #ith soothin& fin&ers+ It #as too far off for anythin& to %e au$i%le %ut he seeme$ to 9eor&e to %e murmurin& #or$s of en$earment to it+ :hen placin& it on his hea$ he $arte$ out into the roa$ an$ 9eor&e sa# him no more+ :he au$ience remaine$ motionless starin& at the spot #here the inci$ent ha$ happene$+ :hey #oul$ continue to $o this till the ne<t policeman came alon& an$ mo*e$ them on+ 4ith a pleasant #a*e of fare#ell in case any of them mi&ht %e &lancin& in his $irection 9eor&e $re# in his %o$y an$ sat $o#n+ :he &irl in %ro#n ha$ risen from the floor if she ha$ e*er %een there an$ #as no# seate$ compose$ly at the further en$ of the ca%+

Chapter 4
@4ell that5s thatGA sai$ 9eor&e+ @I5m so much o%li&e$ A sai$ the &irl+ @It #as a pleasure A sai$ 9eor&e+ "e #as ena%le$ no# to &et a closer more leisurely an$ much more satisfactory *ie# of this $istresse$ $amsel than ha$ %een his &oo$ fortune up to the present+ >mall $etails #hich #hen he ha$ first cau&ht si&ht of her $istance ha$ hi$$en from his *ie# no# presente$ themsel*es+ "er eyes he $isco*ere$ #hich he ha$ suppose$ %ro#n #ere only

%ro#n in their &eneral colour.scheme+ :hey #ere shot #ith attracti*e little flec's of &ol$ matchin& perfectly the little strea's &ol$ #hich the sun comin& out a&ain on one of his flyin& *isits an$ no# shinin& %eni&nantly once more on the #orl$ re*eale$ in her hair+ "er chin #as sFuare an$ $etermine$ %ut its resoluteness #as contra$icte$ %y a $imple an$ %y the pleasant &oo$.humour of the mouthD an$ a further softenin& of the face #as effecte$ %y the nose #hich seeme$ to ha*e starte$ out #ith the intention of %ein& $i&nifie$ an$ aristocratic %ut ha$ $efeate$ its purpose %y tiltin& *ery sli&htly at the tip+ :his #as a &irl #ho #oul$ ta'e chances %ut #oul$ ta'e them #ith a smile an$ lau&h #hen she lost+ 9eor&e #as %ut an amateur physio&nomist %ut he coul$ rea$ #hat #as o%*ious in the faces he encountere$D an$ the more he loo'e$ at this &irl the less he #as a%le to un$erstan$ the scene #hich ha$ -ust occurre$+ :he thin& mystifie$ him completely+ =or all her &oo$.humour there #as an air a manner a somethin& capa%le an$ $efensi*e a%out this &irl #ith #hich he coul$ not ima&ine any man *enturin& to ta'e li%erties+ :he &ol$.%ro#n eyes as they met his no# #ere frien$ly an$ smilin& %ut he coul$ ima&ine them freeBin& into a stare %aleful enou&h an$ hau&hty enou&h to Fuell such a person as the sil'.hatte$ youn& man #ith a sin&le &lance+ 4hy then ha$ that super.fatte$ in$i*i$ual %een a%le to $emoraliBe her to the e<tent of flyin& to the shelter of stran&e ca%sE >he #as compose$ enou&h no# it #as true %ut it ha$ %een Fuite plain that at the moment #hen she entere$ the ta<i her ner*e ha$ momentarily forsa'en her+ :here #ere mysteries here %eyon$ 9eor&e+ :he &irl loo'e$ stea$ily at 9eor&e an$ 9eor&e loo'e$ stea$ily at her for the space of perhaps ten secon$s+ >he seeme$ to 9eor&e to %e summin& him up #ei&hin& him+ :hat the inspection pro*e$ satisfactory #as sho#n %y the fact that at the en$ of this perio$ she smile$+ :hen she lau&he$ a clear pealin& lau&h #hich to 9eor&e #as far more musical than the most popular son&.hit he ha$ e*er #ritten+ @I suppose you are #on$erin& #hat it5s all a%outEA she sai$+ :his #as precisely #hat 9eor&e #as #on$erin& most consume$ly+ @Io no A he sai$+ @Iot at all+ It5s not my %usiness+A @An$ of course you5re much too #ell %re$ to %e inFuisiti*e a%out other people5s %usinessEA @/f course I am+ 4hat #as it all a%outEA @I5m afrai$ I can5t tell you+A @!ut #hat am I to say to the ca%manEA @I $on5t 'no#+ 4hat $o men usually say to ca%menEA @I mean he #ill feel *ery hurt if I $on5t &i*e him a full e<planation of all this+ "e stoope$ from his pe$estal to ma'e enFuiries -ust no#+ Con$escension li'e that $eser*es some reco&nition+A @9i*e him a nice %i& tip+A 9eor&e #as remin$e$ of his reason for %ein& in the ca%+ @I ou&ht to ha*e as'e$ %efore A he sai$+ @4here can I $ri*e youEA @/h I mustn5t steal your ca%+ 4here #ere you &oin&EA @I #as &oin& %ac' to my hotel+ I came out #ithout any money so I shall ha*e to &o there first to &et some+A :he &irl starte$+ @4hat5s the matterEA as'e$ 9eor&e+

@I5*e lost my purseGA @9oo$ 0or$G "a$ it much in itEA @Iot *ery much+ !ut enou&h to %uy a tic'et home+A @Any use as'in& #here that isEA @Ione I5m afrai$+A @I #asn5t &oin& to of course+A @/f course not+ :hat5s #hat I a$mire so much in you+ Cou aren5t inFuisiti*e+A 9eor&e reflecte$+ @:here5s only one thin& to %e $one+ Cou #ill ha*e to #ait in the ca% at the hotel #hile I &o an$ &et some money+ :hen if you5ll let me I can len$ you #hat you reFuire+A @It5s much too 'in$ of you+ Coul$ you mana&e ele*en shillin&sEA @(asily+ I5*e -ust ha$ a le&acy+A @/f course if you thin' I ou&ht to %e economical I5ll &o thir$.class+ :hat #oul$ only %e fi*e shillin&s+ :en.an$.si< is the first.class fare+ >o you see the place I #ant to &et to is t#o hours from 0on$on+A @4ell that5s somethin& to 'no#+A @!ut not much is itEA @I thin' I ha$ %etter len$ you a so*erei&n+ :hen you5ll %e a%le to %uy a lunch.%as'et+A @Cou thin' of e*erythin&+ An$ you5re perfectly ri&ht+ I shall %e star*in&+ !ut ho# $o you 'no# you #ill &et the money %ac'EA @I5ll ris' it+A @4ell then I shall ha*e to %e inFuisiti*e an$ as' your name+ /ther#ise I shan5t 'no# #here to sen$ the money+A @/h there5s no mystery a%out me+ I5m an open %oo'+A @Cou nee$n5t %e horri$ a%out it+ I can5t help %ein& mysterious+A @I $i$n5t mean that+A @It soun$e$ as if you $i$+ 4ell #ho is my %enefactorEA @)y name is 9eor&e !e*an+ I am stayin& at the Carlton at present+A @I5ll remem%er+A :he ta<i mo*e$ slo#ly $o#n the "aymar'et+ :he &irl lau&he$+ @CesEA sai$ 9eor&e+ @I #as only thin'in& of %ac' there+ Cou 'no# I ha*en5t than'e$ you nearly enou&h for all you $i$+ Cou #ere #on$erful+A @I5m *ery &la$ I #as a%le to %e of any help+A @4hat $i$ happenE Cou must remem%er I coul$n5t see a thin& e<cept your %ac' an$ I coul$ only hear in$istinctly+A @4ell it starte$ %y a man &allopin& up an$ insistin& that you ha$ &ot into the ca%+ "e #as a fello# #ith the appearance of a %efore.usin& a$*ertisement of an anti.fat me$icine an$ the manners of a rin&.taile$ chimpanBee+A :he &irl no$$e$+ @:hen it #as 3ercyG I 'ne# I #asn5t mista'en+A @3ercyEA @:hat is his name+A @It #oul$ %eG I coul$ ha*e %ette$ on it+A @4hat happene$ thenEA @I reasone$ #ith the man %ut $i$n5t seem to soothe him an$ finally he ma$e a &ra% for

the $oor.han$le so I 'noc'e$ off his hat an$ #hile he #as retrie*in& it #e mo*e$ on an$ escape$+A :he &irl &a*e another sil*er peal of lau&hter+ @/h #hat a shame I coul$n5t see it+ !ut ho# resourceful of youG "o# $i$ you happen to thin' of itEA @It -ust came to me A sai$ 9eor&e mo$estly+ A serious loo' came into the &irl5s face+ :he smile $ie$ out of her eyes+ >he shi*ere$+ @4hen I thin' ho# some men mi&ht ha*e %eha*e$ in your placeGA @/h no+ Any man #oul$ ha*e $one -ust #hat I $i$+ >urely 'noc'in& off 3ercy5s hat #as an act of simple courtesy #hich anyone #oul$ ha*e performe$ automaticallyGA @Cou mi&ht ha*e %een some a#ful %oun$er+ /r #hat #oul$ ha*e %een almost #orse a slo#.#itte$ i$iot #ho #oul$ ha*e stoppe$ to as' Fuestions %efore $oin& anythin&+ :o thin' I shoul$ ha*e ha$ the luc' to pic' you out of all 0on$onGA @I5*e %een loo'in& on it as a piece of luc'2%ut entirely from my *ie#point+A >he put a small han$ on his arm an$ spo'e earnestly+ @)r+ !e*an you mustn5t thin' that %ecause I5*e %een lau&hin& a &oo$ $eal an$ ha*e seeme$ to treat all this as a -o'e you ha*en5t sa*e$ me from real trou%le+ If you ha$n5t %een there an$ ha$n5t acte$ #ith such presence of min$ it #oul$ ha*e %een terri%leGA @!ut surely if that fello# #as annoyin& you you coul$ ha*e calle$ a policemanEA @/h it #asn5t anythin& li'e that+ It #as much much #orse+ !ut I mustn5t &o on li'e this+ It isn5t fair on you+A "er eyes lit up a&ain #ith the ol$ shinin& smile+ @I 'no# you ha*e no curiosity a%out me %ut still there5s no 'no#in& #hether I mi&ht not arouse some if I #ent on pilin& up the mystery+ An$ the silly part is that really there5s no mystery at all+ It5s -ust that I can5t tell anyone a%out it+A @:hat *ery fact seems to me to constitute the ma'in&s of a pretty fair mystery+A @4ell #hat I mean is I5m not a princess in $is&uise tryin& to escape from anarchists or anythin& li'e those thin&s you rea$ a%out in %oo's+ I5m -ust in a perfectly simple piece of trou%le+ Cou #oul$ %e %ore$ to $eath if I tol$ you a%out it+A @:ry me+A >he shoo' her hea$+ @Io+ !esi$es here #e are+A :he ca% ha$ stoppe$ at the hotel an$ a commissionaire #as alrea$y openin& the $oor+ @Io# if you ha*en5t repente$ of your rash offer an$ really are &oin& to %e so a#fully 'in$ as to let me ha*e that money #oul$ you min$ rushin& off an$ &ettin& it %ecause I must hurry+ I can -ust catch a &oo$ train an$ it5s hours to the ne<t+A @4ill you #ait hereE I5ll %e %ac' in a moment+A @Jery #ell+A :he last 9eor&e sa# of her #as another of those e<hilaratin& smiles of hers+ It #as literally the last he sa# of her for #hen he returne$ not more than t#o minutes later the ca% ha$ &one the &irl ha$ &one an$ the #orl$ #as empty+ :o him &apin& at this #holly unforeseen calamity the commissionaire *ouchsafe$ information+ @:he youn& la$y too' the ca% on sir+A @:oo' the ca% onEA @Almost imme$iately after you ha$ &one sir she &ot in a&ain an$ tol$ the man to $ri*e to 4aterloo+A

9eor&e coul$ ma'e nothin& of it+ "e stoo$ there in silent perple<ity an$ mi&ht ha*e continue$ to stan$ in$efinitely ha$ not his min$ %een $istracte$ %y a $ictatorial *oice at his el%o#+ @Cou sirG DammitGA A secon$ ta<i.ca% ha$ pulle$ up an$ from it a stout scarletL face$ youn& man ha$ sprun&+ /ne &lance tol$ 9eor&e all+ :he hunt #as up once more+ :he %loo$houn$ ha$ pic'e$ up the trail+ 3ercy #as in a&ainG =or the first time since he ha$ %ecome a#are of her fli&ht 9eor&e #as than'ful that the &irl ha$ $isappeare$+ "e percei*e$ that he ha$ too Fuic'ly eliminate$ 3ercy from the list of the :hin&s :hat )atter+ (n&rosse$ #ith his o#n affairs an$ ha*in& re&ar$e$ their late s'irmish as a $ecisi*e %attle from #hich there #oul$ %e no rallyin& he ha$ o*erloo'e$ the possi%ility of this annoyin& an$ unnecessary person follo#in& them in another ca%2a tas' #hich in the con&este$ slo#.mo*in& traffic must ha*e %een a perfectly simple one+ 4ell here he #as his soul manifestly all stirre$ up an$ his %loo$.pressure at a far hi&her fi&ure than his $octor #oul$ ha*e appro*e$ of an$ the matter #oul$ ha*e to %e opene$ all o*er a&ain+ @Io# thenGA sai$ the stout youn& man+ 9eor&e re&ar$e$ him #ith a critical an$ unfrien$ly eye+ "e $isli'e$ this fatty $e&eneration e<cessi*ely+ 0oo'in& him up an$ $o#n he coul$ fin$ no point a%out him that &a*e him the least pleasure #ith the sin&le e<ception of the state of his hat in the si$e of #hich he #as re-oice$ to percei*e there #as a lar&e an$ unshapely $ent+ @Cou thou&ht you ha$ sha'en me offG Cou thou&ht you5$ &i*en me the slipG 4ell you5re #ron&GA 9eor&e eye$ him col$ly+ @I 'no# #hat5s the matter #ith you A he sai$+ @>omeone5s %een fee$in& you meat+A :he youn& man %u%%le$ #ith fury+ "is face turne$ a $eeper scarlet+ "e &esticulate$+ @Cou %lac'&uar$G 4here5s my sisterEA At this e<traor$inary remar' the #orl$ roc'e$ a%out 9eor&e $iBBily+ :he #or$s upset his entire $ia&nosis of the situation+ ,ntil that moment he ha$ loo'e$ upon this man as a 0othario a pursuer of $amsels+ :hat the other coul$ possi%ly ha*e any ri&ht on his si$e ha$ ne*er occurre$ to him+ "e felt unmanne$ %y the shoc'+ It seeme$ to cut the &roun$ from un$er his feet+ @Cour sisterGA @Cou hear$ #hat I sai$+ 4here is sheEA 9eor&e #as still en$ea*ourin& to a$-ust his scattere$ faculties+ "e felt foolish an$ apolo&etic+ "e ha$ ima&ine$ himself unassaila%ly in the ri&ht an$ it no# appeare$ that he #as in the #ron&+ =or a moment he #as a%out to %ecome conciliatory+ :hen the recollection of the &irl5s panic an$ her hints at some trou%le #hich threatene$ her2presuma%ly throu&h the me$ium of this man %rother or no %rother2chec'e$ him+ "e $i$ not 'no# #hat it #as all a%out %ut the one thin& that $i$ stan$ out clearly in the #elter of confuse$ happenin&s #as the &irl5s nee$ for his assistance+ 4hate*er mi&ht %e the ri&hts of the case he #as her accomplice an$ must %eha*e as such+ @I $on5t 'no# #hat you5re tal'in& a%out A he sai$+ :he youn& man shoo' a lar&e &lo*e$ fist in his face+ @Cou %lac'&uar$GA

A rich $eep soft soothin& *oice sli$ into the heate$ scene li'e the "oly 9rail sli$in& ath#art a sun%eam+ @4hat5s all thisEA A *ast policeman ha$ materialiBe$ from no#here+ "e stoo$ %esi$e them a li*in& statue of Ji&ilant Authority+ /ne thum% reste$ easily on his %roa$ %elt+ :he fin&ers of the other han$ caresse$ li&htly a moustache that ha$ cause$ more heart.%urnin&s amon& the &entler se< than any other t#o moustaches in the C.$i*ision+ :he eyes a%o*e the moustache #ere stern an$ Fuestionin&+ @4hat5s all thisEA 9eor&e li'e$ policemen+ "e 'ne# the #ay to treat them+ "is *oice #hen he replie$ ha$ precisely the correct note of respectful $eference #hich the =orce li'es to hear+ @I really coul$n5t say officer A he sai$ #ith -ust that air of ha*in& in a time of trou%le foun$ a 'in$ el$er %rother to help him out of his $ifficulties #hich ma$e the consta%le his ally on the spot+ @I #as stan$in& here #hen this man su$$enly ma$e his e<traor$inary attac' on me+ I #ish you #oul$ as' him to &o a#ay+A :he policeman tappe$ the stout youn& man on the shoul$er+ @:his #on5t $o you 'no#GA he sai$ austerely+ @:his sort o5 thin& #on5t $o Here you 'no#GA @:a'e your han$s off meGA snorte$ 3ercy+ A fro#n appeare$ on the /lympian %ro#+ ?o*e reache$ for his thun$er%olts+ @H,lloG H,lloG H,lloGA he sai$ in a shoc'e$ *oice as of a &o$ $efie$ %y a mortal+ @H,lloG H,lloG H,l.loGA "is fin&ers fell on 3ercy5s shoul$er a&ain %ut this time not in a mere #arnin& tap+ :hey reste$ #here they fell2in an iron clutch+ @It #on5t $o you 'no# A he sai$+ @:his sort o5 thin& #on5t $oGA )a$ness came upon the stout youn& man+ Common pru$ence an$ the lessons of a carefully.tau&ht youth fell from him li'e a &arment+ 4ith an incoherent ho#l he #ri&&le$ roun$ an$ punche$ the policeman smartly in the stomach+ @"oGA Fuoth the outra&e$ officer su$$enly %ecomin& human+ "is left han$ remo*e$ itself from the %elt an$ he &ot a %usinessli'e &rip on his a$*ersary5s collar+ @4ill you come alon& #ith meGA It #as amaBin&+ :he thin& ha$ happene$ in such an incre$i%ly %rief space of time+ /ne moment it seeme$ to 9eor&e he #as the centre of a nasty ro# in one of the most pu%lic spots in 0on$onD the ne<t the focus ha$ shifte$D he ha$ cease$ to matterD an$ the entire attention of the metropolis #as focuse$ on his late assailant as ur&e$ %y the arm of the 0a# he ma$e that -ourney to Jine >treet 3olice >tation #hich so many a %etter man than he ha$ tro$+ 9eor&e #atche$ the pair as they mo*e$ up the "aymar'et follo#e$ %y a &ro#in& an$ increasin&ly a%sor%e$ cro#$D then he turne$ into the hotel+ @:his A he sai$ to himselfD @is the mi$$le of a perfect $ayG An$ I thou&ht 0on$on $ullGA

Chapter 5
9eor&e a#o'e ne<t mornin& #ith a misty sense that someho# the #orl$ ha$ chan&e$+ As the last remnants of sleep left him he #as a#are of a *a&ue e<citement+ :hen he sat up in %e$ #ith a -er'+ "e ha$ remem%ere$ that he #as in lo*e+

:here #as no $ou%t a%out it+ A curious happiness per*a$e$ his entire %ein&+ "e felt youn& an$ acti*e+ (*erythin& #as emphatically for the %est in this %est of all possi%le #orl$s+ :he sun #as shinin&+ (*en the soun$ of someone in the street %elo# #histlin& one of his ol$ compositions of #hich he ha$ heartily sic'ene$ t#el*e months %efore #as pleasant to his ears an$ this in spite of the fact that the unseen #histler only touche$ the 'ey in o$$ spots an$ ha$ a poor memory for tunes+ 9eor&e spran& li&htly out of %e$ an$ turne$ on the col$ tap in the %athroom+ 4hile he lathere$ his face for its mornin& sha*e he %eame$ at himself in the mirror+ It ha$ come at last+ :he 8eal :hin&+ 9eor&e ha$ ne*er %een in lo*e %efore+ Iot really in lo*e+ :rue from the a&e of fifteen he ha$ %een in *aryin& $e&rees of intensity attracte$ sentimentally %y the opposite se<+ In$ee$ at that perio$ of life of #hich )r+ !ooth :ar'in&ton has #ritten so searchin&ly2 the a&e of se*enteen2he ha$ %een in lo*e #ith practically e*ery female he met an$ #ith $oBens #hom he ha$ only seen in the $istanceD %ut ripenin& years ha$ mello#e$ his taste an$ ro%%e$ him of that fine romantic catholicity+ Durin& the last fi*e years #omen ha$ foun$ him more or less col$+ It #as the nature of his profession that ha$ lar&ely %rou&ht a%out this coolin& of the emotions+ :o a man #ho li'e 9eor&e has #or'e$ year in an$ year out at the composition of musical come$ies #oman comes to lose many of those attracti*e Fualities #hich ensnare the or$inary male+ :o 9eor&e of late years it ha$ %e&un to seem that the salient feature of #oman as a se< #as her $isposition to 'ic'+ =or fi*e years he ha$ %een #an$erin& in a #orl$ of #omen many of them %eautiful all of them superficially attracti*e #ho ha$ left no other impress on his memory e<cept the *i&our an$ freFuency #ith #hich they ha$ 'ic'e$+ >ome ha$ 'ic'e$ a%out their musical num%ers some a%out their lo*e.scenesD some ha$ &rum%le$ a%out their e<it lines others a%out the lines of their secon$.act froc's+ :hey ha$ 'ic'e$ in a myria$ $ifferin& #ays2 #rathfully s#eetly noisily softly smilin&ly tearfully pathetically an$ patroniBin&lyD %ut they ha$ all 'ic'e$D #ith the result that #oman ha$ no# %ecome to 9eor&e not so much a flamin& inspiration or a ten$er &o$$ess as somethin& to %e $o$&e$2tactfully if possi%leD %ut if not possi%le %y open fli&ht+ =or years he ha$ $rea$e$ to %e left alone #ith a #oman an$ ha$ $e*elope$ a ha%it of &li$in& s#iftly a#ay #hen he sa# one %earin& $o#n on him+ :he psycholo&ical effect of such a state of thin&s is not $ifficult to realiBe+ :a'e a man of naturally Fui<otic temperament a man of chi*alrous instincts an$ a feelin& for romance an$ cut him off for fi*e years from the e<ercise of those Fualities an$ you &et an accumulate$ store of foolishness only compara%le to an escape of &as in a seale$ room or a cellarful of $ynamite+ A flic'er of a match an$ there is an e<plosion+ :his &irl5s tempestuous irruption into his life ha$ supplie$ flame for 9eor&e+ "er %ri&ht eyes loo'in& into his ha$ touche$ off the spiritual trinitrotoluol #hich he ha$ %een storin& up for so lon&+ ,p in the air in a million pieces ha$ &one the pru$ence an$ self. restraint of a lifetime+ An$ here he #as as $esperately in lo*e as any trou%a$our of the )i$$le A&es+ It #as not till he ha$ finishe$ sha*in& an$ #as testin& the temperature of his %ath #ith a shrin'in& toe that the realiBation came o*er him in a #a*e that thou&h he mi&ht %e in lo*e the fair#ay of lo*e #as $otte$ #ith more %un'ers than any &olf course he ha$ e*er playe$ on in his life+ In the first place he $i$ not 'no# the &irl5s name+ In the secon$ place it seeme$ practically impossi%le that he #oul$ e*er see her a&ain+ (*en in the

mi$st of his optimism 9eor&e coul$ not $eny that these facts mi&ht reasona%ly %e consi$ere$ in the nature of o%stacles+ "e #ent %ac' into his %e$room an$ sat on the %e$+ :his thin& #ante$ thin'in& o*er+ "e #as not $epresse$2only a little thou&htful+ "is faith in his luc' sustaine$ him+ "e #as he realiBe$ in the position of a man #ho has ma$e a supreme $ri*e from the tee an$ fin$s his %all near the &reen %ut in a cuppy lie+ "e ha$ &aine$ muchD it no# remaine$ for him to push his success to the happy conclusion+ :he $ri*er of 0uc' must %e replace$ %y the spoon2or possi%ly the ni%lic'2of In&enuity+ :o fail no# to allo# this &irl to pass out of his life merely %ecause he $i$ not 'no# #ho she #as or #here she #as #oul$ stamp him a fee%le a$*enturer+ A fello# coul$ not e<pect 0uc' to $o e*erythin& for him+ "e must supplement its assistance #ith his o#n efforts+ 4hat ha$ he to &o onE 4ell nothin& much if it came to that e<cept the 'no#le$&e that she li*e$ some t#o hours %y train out of 0on$on an$ that her -ourney starte$ from 4aterloo >tation+ 4hat #oul$ >herloc' "olmes ha*e $oneE Concentrate$ thou&ht supplie$ no ans#er to the FuestionD an$ it #as at this point that the cheery optimism #ith #hich he ha$ %e&un the $ay left 9eor&e an$ &a*e place to a &rey &loom+ A $rea$ful phrase hauntin& in its pathos crept into his min$+ @>hips that pass in the ni&htGA It mi&ht easily turn out that #ay+ In$ee$ thin'in& o*er the affair in all its aspects as he $rie$ himself after his tu% 9eor&e coul$ not see ho# it coul$ possi%ly turn out any other #ay+ "e $resse$ moo$ily an$ left the room to &o $o#n to %rea'fast+ !rea'fast #oul$ at least alle*iate this sin'in& feelin& #hich #as unmannin& him+ An$ he coul$ thin' more %ris'ly after a cup or t#o of coffee+ "e opene$ the $oor+ /n a mat outsi$e lay a letter+ :he han$#ritin& #as feminine+ It #as also in pencil an$ stran&e to him+ "e opene$ the en*elope+ @Dear )r+ !e*anA 6it %e&an7+ 4ith a su$$en leap of the heart he loo'e$ at the si&nature+ :he letter #as si&ne$ @:he 9irl in the Ca%+A Dear )r+ !e*an I hope you #on5t thin' me *ery ru$e runnin& off #ithout #aitin& to say &oo$.%ye+ I ha$ to+ I sa# 3ercy $ri*in& up in a ca% an$ 'ne# that he must ha*e follo#e$ us+ "e $i$ not see me so I &ot a#ay all ri&ht+ I mana&e$ splen$i$ly a%out the money for I remem%ere$ that I #as #earin& a nice %rooch an$ stoppe$ on the #ay to the station to pa#n it+ :han' you e*er so much a&ain for all your #on$erful 'in$ness+ Cours The Girl in the Cab 9eor&e rea$ the note t#ice on the #ay $o#n to the %rea'fast room an$ three times more $urin& the mealD then ha*in& committe$ its contents to memory $o#n to the last comma he &a*e himself up to &lo#in& thou&hts+ 4hat a &irlG "e ha$ ne*er in his life %efore met a #oman #ho coul$ #rite a letter #ithout a postscript an$ this #as %ut the smallest of her unusual &ifts+ :he resource of her to thin' of pa#nin& that %roochG :he s#eetness of her to %other to sen$ him a noteG )ore than e*er %efore #as he con*ince$ that he ha$ met his i$eal an$ more than e*er

%efore #as he $etermine$ that a tri*iality li'e %ein& una#are of her name an$ a$$ress shoul$ not 'eep him from her+ It #as not as if he ha$ no clue to &o upon+ "e 'ne# that she li*e$ t#o hours from 0on$on an$ starte$ home from 4aterloo+ It narro#e$ the thin& $o#n a%sur$ly+ :here #ere only a%out three counties in #hich she coul$ possi%ly li*eD an$ a man must %e a poor fello# #ho is incapa%le of searchin& throu&h a fe# small counties for the &irl he lo*es+ (specially a man #ith luc' li'e his+ 0uc' is a &o$$ess not to %e coerce$ an$ forci%ly #ooe$ %y those #ho see' her fa*ours+ =rom such masterful spirits she turns a#ay+ !ut it happens sometimes that if #e put our han$ in hers #ith the hum%le trust of a little chil$ she #ill ha*e pity on us an$ not fail us in our hour of nee$+ /n 9eor&e hopefully #atchin& for somethin& to turn up she smile$ almost imme$iately+ It #as 9eor&e5s practice #hen he lunche$ alone to relie*e the te$ium of the meal #ith the assistance of rea$in& matter in the shape of one or more of the e*enin& papers+ :o$ay sittin& $o#n to a solitary repast at the 3icca$illy &rill.room he ha$ %rou&ht #ith him an early e$ition of the (*enin& Ie#s+ An$ one of the first items #hich met his eye #as the follo#in& em%o$ie$ in a column on one of the inner pa&es $e*ote$ to humorous comments in prose an$ *erse on the happenin&s of the $ay+ :his particular happenin& the #riter ha$ apparently consi$ere$ #orthy of %ein& $i&nifie$ %y rhyme+ It #as hea$e$1 @:"( 3((8 AID :"( 3/0IC()AI+A @/utsi$e the H Carlton 5 Htis a*erre$ these stirrin& happenin&s occurre$+ :he hour Htis sai$ 6an$ no one $ou%ts7 #as half.past t#o or therea%outs+ :he $ay #as fair the s'y #as %lue an$ e*erythin& #as peaceful too #hen su$$enly a #ell.$resse$ &ent en&a&e$ in heate$ ar&ument an$ roun$ly to a%use %e&an another #ell.$resse$ &entleman+ "is sue$e. &lo*e$ fist he raise$ on hi&h to $ot the other in the eye+ 4ho 'no#s #hat horrors mi&ht ha*e %een ha$ there not come upon the scene ol$ 0on$on city5s fa*ourite son 3oliceman C+ 231+ H4hat means this con$uctE 3rithee stopG5 e<claime$ that a$mira%le slop+ 4ith #hich he place$ a #arnin& han$ upon the %ra#ler5s collar%an$+ 4e simply hate to tell the rest+ Io su%-ect here for flippant -est+ :he mere remem%rance of the tale has ma$e our in' turn $ea$ly pale+ 0et us %e %rief+ >ome $emon sent star' ma$ness on the #ell.$resse$ &ent+ "e &a*e the consta%le a punch -ust #here the latter 'ept his lunch+ :he consta%le sai$ H4ellG 4ellG 4ellG5 an$ marche$ him to a $un&eon cell+ At Jine >treet >tation out it came20or$ !elpher #as the culprit5s name+ !ut !ritish ?ustice is se*ere ali'e on pauper an$ on peerD #ith e*en han$ she hol$s the scaleD a thumpin& fine in lieu of &aol in$uce$ 0or$ !+ to feel remorse an$ learn he mustn5t punch the =orce+A 9eor&e5s mutton chop con&eale$ on the plate untouche$+ :he =rench frie$ potatoes coole$ off unnotice$+ :his #as no time for foo$+ 8i&htly in$ee$ ha$ he relie$ upon his luc'+ It ha$ stoo$ %y him no%ly+ 4ith this clue all #as o*er e<cept &ettin& to the nearest =ree 0i%rary an$ consultin& !ur'e5s 3eera&e+ "e pai$ his %ill an$ left the restaurant+ :en minutes later he #as $rin'in& in the pre&nant information that !elpher #as the family name of the (arl of )arshmoreton an$ that the present earl ha$ one son 3ercy 4il%raham )arsh e$uc+ (ton an$ Christ Church /<for$ an$ #hat the %oo' #ith its customary curtness calle$ @one $+A23atricia )au$+ :he family seat sai$ !ur'e #as !elpher Castle !elpher "ants+ >ome hours later seate$ in a first.class compartment of a train that mo*e$ slo#ly out of 4aterloo >tation 9eor&e #atche$ 0on$on *anish %ehin$ him+ In the poc'et closest to his thro%%in& heart #as a sin&le tic'et to !elpher+

Chapter 6
At a%out the time that 9eor&e !e*an5s train #as lea*in& 4aterloo a &rey racin& car $re# up #ith a &rin$in& of %ra'es an$ a sputter of &ra*el in front of the main entrance of !elpher Castle+ :he slim an$ ele&ant youn& man at the #heel remo*e$ his &o&&les pulle$ out a #atch an$ a$$resse$ the stout youn& man at his si$e+ @:#o hours an$ ei&hteen minutes from "y$e 3ar' Corner !oots+ Iot so $usty #hatEA "is companion ma$e no reply+ "e appeare$ to %e plun&e$ in thou&ht+ "e too remo*e$ his &o&&les re*ealin& a flori$ an$ &loomy face eFuippe$ in a$$ition to the usual features #ith a small moustache an$ an e<tra chin+ "e sco#le$ for%i$$in&ly at the charmin& scene #hich the &o&&les ha$ hi$$en from him+ !efore him a symmetrical mass of &rey stone an$ &reen i*y !elpher Castle to#ere$ a&ainst a li&ht %lue s'y+ /n either si$e rollin& par' lan$ sprea$ as far as the eye coul$ see carpete$ here an$ there #ith *iolets $otte$ #ith &reat oa's an$ ashes an$ >panish chestnuts or$erly peaceful an$ (n&lish+ Iearer on his left #ere rose.&ar$ens in the centre of #hich tilte$ at a sharp an&le appeare$ the seat of a pair of cor$uroy trousers #hose #earer seeme$ to %e en&a&e$ in huntin& for snails+ :hrushes san& in the &reen shru%%eriesD roo's ca#e$ in the elms+ >ome#here in the $istance soun$e$ the tin'le of sheep %ells an$ the lo#in& of co#s+ It #as in fact a scene #hich lit %y the e*enin& sun of a perfect sprin& $ay an$ fanne$ %y a &entle #esterly #in$ shoul$ ha*e %rou&ht %alm an$ soothin& me$itations to one #ho #as the sole heir to all this 3ara$ise+ !ut 3ercy 0or$ !elpher remaine$ uncomforte$ %y the nota%le co.operation of )an an$ Iature an$ $re# no solace from the reflection that all these pleasant thin&s #oul$ one $ay %e his o#n+ "is min$ #as occupie$ at the moment to the e<clusion of all other thou&hts %y the recollection of that painful scene in !o# >treet 3olice Court+ :he ma&istrate5s remar's #hich ha$ %een tactless an$ unsympathetic still echoe$ in his ears+ An$ that infernal ni&ht in Jine >treet police station M :he $ar'ness M :he har$ %e$M :he $iscor$ant *ocalisin& of the $run' an$ $isor$erly in the ne<t cellM+ :ime mi&ht soften these memories mi&ht lessen the sharp a&ony of themD %ut nothin& coul$ remo*e them alto&ether+ 3ercy ha$ %een sha'en to the core of his %ein&+ 3hysically he #as still stiff an$ sore from the plan' %e$+ )entally he #as a *olcano+ "e ha$ %een marche$ up the "aymar'et in the full si&ht of all 0on$on %y a %oun$er of a policeman+ "e ha$ %een tal'e$ to li'e an errin& chil$ %y a ma&istrate #hom nothin& coul$ con*ince that he ha$ not %een un$er the influence of alcohol at the moment of his arrest+ 6:he man ha$ sai$ thin&s a%out his li*er 'in$ly %e.#arne$.in.time.an$.pull.up.%efore.it.is.too.late thin&s #hich #oul$ ha*e seeme$ to 3ercy in$ecently fran' if spo'en %y his me$ical a$*iser in the pri*acy of the sic' cham%er+7 It is perhaps not to %e #on$ere$ at that !elpher Castle for all its %eauty of scenery an$ architecture shoul$ ha*e left 0or$ !elpher a little col$+ "e #as seethin& #ith a fury #hich the con*ersation of 8e&&ie !yn& ha$ $one nothin& to allay in the course of the -ourney from 0on$on+ 8e&&ie #as the last person he #oul$ #illin&ly ha*e chosen as a companion in his hour of $ar'ness+ 8e&&ie #as not soothin&+ "e #oul$ insist on a$$ressin& him %y his ol$ (ton nic'name of !oots #hich 3ercy $eteste$+ An$ all the #ay $o#n he ha$ %een %rea'in& out at inter*als into ri%al$ comments on the recent unfortunate occurrence #hich #ere *ery har$ to %ear+ "e resume$ this *ein as they ali&hte$ an$ ran& the %ell+

@:his A sai$ 8e&&ie @is rather li'e a %it out of a melo$rama+ Con*ict son totters up the steps of the ol$ home an$ punches the %ell+ 4hat a#aits him %eyon$E =or&i*enessE /r the rasp%erryE :rue the #hite.haire$ %utler #ho 'ne# him as a chil$ #ill so% on his nec' %ut #hat of the ol$ $a$E "o# #ill $a$ ta'e the %lot of the family escutcheonEA 0or$ !elpher5s sco#l $eepene$+ @It5s not a -o'in& matter A he sai$ col$ly+ @9reat "ea*ens I5m not -o'in&+ "o# coul$ I ha*e the heart to -o'e at a moment li'e this #hen the frien$ of my youth has su$$enly %ecome a social leperEA @I #ish to &oo$ness you #oul$ stop+A @Do you thin' it is any pleasure to me to %e seen a%out #ith a man #ho is no# 'no#n in criminal circles as 3ercy the 3icca$illy 3oliceman.3uncherE I 'eep a %ra*e face %efore the #orl$ %ut in#ar$ly I %urn #ith shame an$ a&ony an$ #hat not+A :he &reat $oor of the castle s#un& open re*ealin& ;e&&s the %utler+ "e #as a man of re*eren$ years portly an$ $i&nifie$ #ith a respectfully %ene*olent face that %eame$ &ra*ely on the youn& master an$ )r+ !yn& as if their comin& ha$ fille$ his cup of pleasure+ "is li&ht sli&htly protru$in& eyes e<presse$ re*erential &oo$ #ill+ "e &a*e -ust that touch of cosy humanity to the scene #hich the hall #ith its half li&hts an$ massi*e furniture nee$e$ to ma'e it perfect to the returne$ #an$erer+ "e seeme$ to %e intimatin& that this #as a moment to #hich he ha$ loo'e$ for#ar$ lon& an$ that from no# on Fuiet happiness #oul$ rei&n supreme+ It is $istressin& to ha*e to re*eal the -arrin& fact that in his hours of pri*acy #hen off $uty this apparently i$eal ser*itor #as so far from %ein& a respecter of persons that he #as accustome$ to spea' of 0or$ !elpher as @3ercyA an$ e*en as @"is Ii%sA+ It #as in$ee$ an open secret amon& the upper ser*ants at the castle an$ a fact hinte$ at #ith a#e amon& the lo#er that ;e&&s #as at heart a >ocialist+ @9oo$ e*enin& your lor$ship+ 9oo$ e*enin& sir+A 0or$ !elpher ac'no#le$&e$ the salutation #ith a &runt %ut 8e&&ie #as more affa%le+ @"o# are you ;e&&sE Io#5s your time if you5re &oin& to $o it+A "e steppe$ a little to one si$e an$ in$icate$ 0or$ !elpher5s crimson nec' #ith an in*itin& &esture+ @I %e& your par$on sirEA @Ah+ Cou5$ rather #ait till you can $o it a little more pri*ately+ 3erhaps you5re ri&ht+A :he %utler smile$ in$ul&ently+ "e $i$ not un$erstan$ #hat 8e&&ie #as tal'in& a%out %ut that $i$ not #orry him+ "e ha$ lon& since come to the conclusion that 8e&&ie #as sli&htly ma$ a theory supporte$ %y the latter5s *alet #ho #as of the same opinion+ ;e&&s $i$ not $isli'e 8e&&ie %ut intellectually he consi$ere$ him ne&li&i%le+ @>en$ somethin& to $rin' into the li%rary ;e&&s A sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ @Jery &oo$ your lor$ship+A @A toppin& i$ea A sai$ 8e&&ie+ @I5ll -ust ta'e the ol$ car roun$ to the &ara&e an$ then I5ll %e #ith you+A "e clim%e$ to the steerin& #heel an$ starte$ the en&ine+ 0or$ !elpher procee$e$ to the li%rary #hile ;e&&s melte$ a#ay throu&h the &reen %aiBe $oor at the en$ of the hail #hich $i*i$e$ the ser*ants5 Fuarters from the rest of the house+ 8e&&ie ha$ har$ly $ri*en a $oBen yar$s #hen he percei*e$ his stepmother an$ 0or$ )arshmoreton comin& to#ar$s him from the $irection of the rose.&ar$en+ "e $re# up to &reet them+ @"ullo mater+ 4hat ho uncleG !ac' a&ain at the ol$ homestea$ #hatEA !eneath 0a$y Caroline5s aristocratic front a&itation seeme$ to lur'+

@8e&&ie #here is 3ercyEA @/l$ !ootsE I thin' he5s &one to the li%rary+ I -ust $ecante$ him out of the car+A 0a$y Caroline turne$ to her %rother+ @0et us &o to the li%rary ?ohn+A @All ri&ht+ All ri&ht+ All ri&ht A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton irrita%ly+ >omethin& appeare$ to ha*e ruffle$ his calm+ 8e&&ie $ro*e on+ As he #as strollin& %ac' after puttin& the car a#ay he met )au$+ @"ullo )au$ $ear ol$ thin&+A @4hy hullo 8e&&ie+ I #as e<pectin& you %ac' last ni&ht+A @Coul$n5t &et %ac' last ni&ht+ "a$ to stic' in to#n an$ rally roun$ ol$ !oots+ Coul$n5t $esert the ol$ %oy in his hour of trial+A 8e&&ie chuc'le$ amuse$ly+ @H"our of trial 5 is rather &oo$ #hatE 4hat I mean to say is that5s -ust #hat it #as $on5t you 'no#+A @4hy #hat happene$ to 3ercyEA @Do you mean to say you ha*en5t hear$E /f course not+ It #oul$n5t ha*e %een in the mornin& papers+ 4hy 3ercy punche$ a policeman+A @3ercy $i$ #hatEA @>lu&&e$ a slop+ )ost $ramatic thin&+ >loshe$ him in the mi$riff+ A%solutely+ :he cross mar's the spot #here the tra&e$y occurre$+A )au$ cau&ht her %reath+ >omeho# thou&h she coul$ not trace the connection she felt that this e<traor$inary happenin& must %e lin'e$ up #ith her escapa$e+ :hen her sense of humour &ot the %etter of apprehension+ "er eyes t#in'le$ $eli&hte$ly+ @Cou $on5t mean to say 3ercy $i$ thatEA @A%solutely+ :he human ti&er an$ #hat not+ )enace to >ociety an$ all that sort of thin&+ Io hol$in& him+ =or some une<plaine$ reason the &enerous %loo$ of the !elphers %oile$ o*er an$ then2Bin&+ :hey -er'e$ him off to Jine >treet+ 0i'e the poem $on5t you 'no#+ HAn$ poor ol$ 3ercy #al'e$ %et#een #ith &y*es upon his #rists+5 An$ this mornin& %ri&ht an$ early the %ea' parte$ him from ten Fui$+ Cou 'no# )au$ ol$ thin& our $uty stares us plainly in the eye%all+ 4e5*e &ot to train ol$ !oots $o#n to a reasona%le #ei&ht an$ sprin& him on the Iational >portin& Clu%+ 4e5*e %een lettin& a champion mi$$le#ei&ht %lush unseen un$er our *ery roof tree+A )au$ hesitate$ a moment+ @I suppose you $on5t 'no# A she as'e$ carelessly @#hy he $i$ itE I mean $i$ he tell you anythin&EA @Coul$n5t &et a #or$ out of him+ /ysters &arrulous an$ tom%s chatty in comparison+ A%solutely+ All I 'no# is that he poppe$ one into the officer5s #aist%an$+ 4hat le$ up to it is more than I can tell you+ "o# #oul$ it %e to sta&&er to the li%rary an$ -oin the post. mortemEA @:he post.mortemEA @4ell I met the mater an$ his lor$ship on their #ay to the li%rary an$ it loo'e$ to me *ery much as if the mater must ha*e &ot hol$ of an e*enin& paper on her -ourney from to#nE 4hen $i$ she arri*eEA @/nly a short #hile a&o+A @:hen that5s #hat5s happene$+ >he #oul$ ha*e %ou&ht an e*enin& paper to rea$ in the train+ !y ?o*e I #on$er if she &ot hol$ of the one that ha$ the poem a%out it+ /ne chappie #as so carrie$ a#ay %y the %eauty of the episo$e that he treate$ it in *erse+ I thin' #e ou&ht to loo' in an$ see #hat5s happenin&+A

)au$ hesitate$ a&ain+ !ut she #as a &irl of spirit+ An$ she ha$ an intuition that her %est $efence #oul$ %e attac'+ !luff #as #hat #as nee$e$+ 4i$e.eye$ innocent #on$er M After all 3ercy coul$n5t %e certain he ha$ seen her in 3icca$illy+ @All ri&ht+A @!y the #ay $ear ol$ &irl A inFuire$ 8e&&ie @$i$ your little %usiness come out satisfactorilyE I for&ot to as'+A @Iot *ery+ !ut it #as a#fully s#eet of you to ta'e me into to#n+A @"o# #oul$ it %e A sai$ 8e&&ie ner*ously @not to $#ell too much on that part of itE 4hat I mean to say is for hea*en5s sa'e $on5t let the mater 'no# I rallie$ roun$+A @Don5t #orry A sai$ )au$ #ith a lau&h+ @I5m not &oin& to tal' a%out the thin& at all+A 0or$ !elpher mean#hile in the li%rary ha$ %e&un #ith the ai$ of a #his'y an$ so$a to feel a little %etter+ :here #as somethin& a%out the li%rary #ith its som%re half tones that soothe$ his %ruise$ spirit+ :he room hel$ somethin& of the peace of a $eserte$ city+ :he #orl$ #ith its *iolent a$*entures an$ tall policemen $i$ not enter here+ :here #as %alm in those ro#s an$ ro#s of %oo's #hich no%o$y e*er rea$ those *ast #ritin& ta%les at #hich no%o$y e*er #rote+ =rom the %roa$ mantel.piece the %ust of some unname$ ancient loo'e$ $o#n almost sympathetically+ >omethin& remotely resem%lin& peace ha$ %e&un to steal into 3ercy5s soul #hen it #as e<pelle$ %y the a%rupt openin& of the $oor an$ the entry of 0a$y Caroline !yn& an$ his father+ /ne &lance at the face of the former #as enou&h to tell 0or$ !elpher that she 'ne# all+ "e rose $efensi*ely+ @0et me e<plain+A 0a$y Caroline Fui*ere$ #ith represse$ emotion+ :his masterly #oman ha$ not lost control of herself %ut her aristocratic calm ha$ sel$om %een so se*erely teste$+ As 8e&&ie ha$ surmise$ she ha$ rea$ the report of the procee$in&s in the e*enin& paper in the train an$ her #orl$ ha$ %een reelin& e*er since+ Caesar sta%%e$ %y !rutus coul$ scarcely ha*e e<perience$ a &reater shoc'+ :he other mem%ers of her family ha$ $isappointe$ her often+ >he ha$ %ecome inure$ to the spectacle of her %rother #or'in& in the &ar$en in cor$uroy trousers an$ in other #ays %eha*in& in a manner %eneath the $i&nity of an (arl of )arshmoreton+ >he ha$ resi&ne$ herself to the innate fla# in the character of )au$ #hich ha$ allo#e$ her to fall in lo*e #ith a no%o$y #hom she ha$ met #ithout an intro$uction+ (*en 8e&&ie ha$ e<hi%ite$ at times $emocratic traits of #hich she thorou&hly $isappro*e$+ !ut of her nephe# 3ercy she ha$ al#ays %een sure+ "e #as soli$ roc'+ "e at least she ha$ al#ays felt #oul$ ne*er $o anythin& to in-ure the family presti&e+ An$ no# so to spea' @0o !en A$hem5s name le$ all the rest+A In other #or$s 3ercy #as the #orst of the lot+ 4hate*er in$iscretions the rest ha$ committe$ at least they ha$ ne*er &ot the family into the comic columns of the e*enin& papers+ 0or$ )arshmoreton mi&ht #ear cor$uroy trousers an$ refuse to entertain the County at &ar$en parties an$ &o to %e$ #ith a %oo' #hen it #as his $uty to act as host at a formal %allD )au$ mi&ht &i*e her heart to an impossi%le person #hom no%o$y ha$ e*er hear$ ofD an$ 8e&&ie mi&ht %e seen at fashiona%le restaurants #ith pu&ilistsD %ut at any rate e*enin& paper poets ha$ ne*er #ritten facetious *erses a%out their e<ploits+ :his cro#nin& $e&ra$ation ha$ %een reser*e$ for the hitherto %lameless 3ercy #ho of all the youn& men of 0a$y Caroline5s acFuaintance ha$ till no# appeare$ to ha*e the most scrupulous sense of his position the most ri&i$ re&ar$ for the $i&nity of his &reat name+ Cet here he #as if the carefully consi$ere$ reports in the $aily press #ere to %e %elie*e$ spen$in&

his time in the *ery sprin&.ti$e of his life runnin& a%out 0on$on li'e a frenBie$ "ottentot %rutally assaultin& the police+ 0a$y Caroline felt as a %ishop mi&ht feel if he su$$enly $isco*ere$ that some fa*ourite curate ha$ &one o*er to the #orship of )um%o ?um%o+ @(<plainEA she crie$+ @"o# can you e<plainE Cou2my nephe# the heir to the title %eha*in& li'e a common ro#$y in the streets of 0on$on M your name in the papers M @If you 'ne# the circumstances+A @:he circumstancesE :hey are in the e*enin& paper+ :hey are in print+A @In *erse A a$$e$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ "e chuc'le$ amia%ly at the recollection+ "e #as an easily amuse$ man+ @Cou ou&ht to rea$ it my %oy+ >ome of it #as capital MA @?ohnGA @!ut $eplora%le of course A a$$e$ 0or$ )arshmoreton hastily+ @Jery $eplora%le+A "e en$ea*oure$ to re&ain his sister5s esteem %y a sho# of ri&hteous in$i&nation+ @4hat $o you mean %y it $amn itE Cou5re my only son+ I ha*e #atche$ you &ro# from chil$ to %oy from %oy to man #ith ten$er solicitu$e+ I ha*e #ante$ to %e prou$ of you+ An$ all the time $ash it you are pro#lin& a%out 0on$on li'e a lion see'in& #hom you may $e*our terrorisin& the metropolis puttin& harmless policemen in fear of their li*esMA @4ill you listen to me for a momentEA shoute$ 3ercy+ "e %e&an to spea' rapi$ly as one conscious of the necessity of sayin& his say #hile the sayin& #as &oo$+ @:he facts are these+ I #as #al'in& alon& 3icca$illy on my #ay to lunch at the clu% #hen near !urlin&ton Arca$e I #as amaBe$ to see )au$+A 0a$y Caroline uttere$ an e<clamation+ @)au$E !ut )au$ #as here+A @I can5t un$erstan$ it A #ent on 0or$ )arshmoreton pursuin& his remar's+ 8i&hteous in$i&nation ha$ he felt &one #ell+ It mi&ht %e -u$icious to continue in that *ein thou&h pri*ately he hel$ the opinion that nothin& in 3ercy5s life so %ecame him as this assault on the =orce+ 0or$ )arshmoreton #ho in his time ha$ committe$ all the follies of youth ha$ come to loo' on his %lameless son as scarcely human+ @It5s not as if you #ere #il$+ Cou5*e ne*er &ot into any scrapes at /<for$+ Cou5*e spent your time collectin& ol$ china an$ prayer ru&s+ Cou #ear flannel ne<t your s'in MA @4ill you please %e Fuiet A sai$ 0a$y Caroline impatiently+ @9o on 3ercy+A @/h *ery #ell A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ @I only spo'e+ I merely ma$e a remar'+A @Cou say you sa# )au$ in 3icca$illy 3ercyEA @3recisely+ I #as on the point of puttin& it $o#n to an e<traor$inary resem%lance #hen su$$enly she &ot into a ca%+ :hen I 'ne#+A 0or$ )arshmoreton coul$ not permit this to pass in silence+ "e #as a fair.min$e$ man+ @4hy shoul$n5t the &irl ha*e &ot into a ca%E 4hy must a &irl #al'in& alon& 3icca$illy %e my $au&hter )au$ -ust %ecause she &ot into a ca%+ 0on$on A he procee$e$ #armin& to the ar&ument an$ thrille$ %y the clearness an$ coherence of his reasonin& @is full of &irls #ho ta'e ca%s+A @>he $i$n5t ta'e a ca%+A @Cou -ust sai$ she $i$ A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton cle*erly+ @I sai$ she &ot into a ca%+ :here #as some%o$y else alrea$y in the ca%+ A man+ Aunt Caroline it #as the man+A @9oo$ &racious A e-aculate$ 0a$y Caroline fallin& into a chair as if she ha$ %een hamstrun&+ @I am a%solutely con*ince$ of it A procee$e$ 0or$ !elpher solemnly+ @"is %eha*iour

#as enou&h to confirm my suspicions+ :he ca% ha$ stoppe$ in a %loc' of the traffic an$ I #ent up an$ reFueste$ him in a perfectly ci*il manner to allo# me to loo' at the la$y #ho ha$ -ust &ot in+ "e $enie$ that there #as a la$y in the ca%+ An$ I ha$ seen her -ump in #ith my o#n eyes+ :hrou&hout the con*ersation he #as leanin& out of the #in$o# #ith the o%*ious intention of screenin& #hoe*er #as insi$e from my *ie#+ I follo#e$ him alon& 3icca$illy in another ca% an$ trac'e$ him to the Carlton+ 4hen I arri*e$ there he #as stan$in& on the pa*ement outsi$e+ :here #ere no si&ns of )au$+ I $eman$e$ that he tell me her #herea%outsMA @:hat remin$s me A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton cheerfully @of a story I rea$ in one of the papers+ I $aresay it5s ol$+ >top me if you5*e hear$ it+ A #oman says to the mai$1 HDo you 'no# anythin& of my hus%an$5s #herea%outsE5 An$ the mai$ replies2A @Do %e Fuiet A snappe$ 0a$y Caroline+ @I shoul$ ha*e thou&ht that you #oul$ %e intereste$ in a matter affectin& the *ital #elfare of your only $au&hter+A @I am+ I am A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton hastily+ @:he mai$ replie$1 H:hey5re at the #ash+5 /f course I am+ 9o on 3ercy+ 9oo$ 9o$ %oy $on5t ta'e all $ay tellin& us your story+A @At that moment the fool of a policeman came up an$ #ante$ to 'no# #hat the matter #as+ I lost my hea$+ I a$mit it freely+ :he policeman &raspe$ my shoul$er an$ I struc' him+A @4hereEA as'e$ 0or$ )arshmoreton a stic'ler for $etail+ @4hat $oes that matterEA $eman$e$ 0a$y Caroline+ @Cou $i$ Fuite ri&ht 3ercy+ :hese insolent -ac's in office ou&ht not to %e allo#e$ to manhan$le people+ :ell me #hat this man #as li'eEA @(<tremely or$inary.loo'in&+ In fact all I can remem%er a%out him #as that he #as clean.sha*en+ I cannot un$erstan$ ho# )au$ coul$ ha*e come to lose her hea$ o*er such a man+ "e seeme$ to me to ha*e no attraction #hate*er A sai$ 0or$ !elpher a little unreasona%ly for Apollo himself #oul$ har$ly appear attracti*e #hen 'noc'in& one5s %est hat off+ @It must ha*e %een the same man+A @3recisely+ If #e #ante$ further proof he #as an American+ Cou recollect that #e hear$ that the man in 4ales #as American+A :here #as a portentous silence+ 3ercy stare$ at the floor+ 0a$y Caroline %reathe$ $eeply+ 0or$ )arshmoreton feelin& that somethin& #as e<pecte$ of him sai$ @9oo$ 9a$GA an$ &aBe$ seriously at a stuffe$ o#l on a %rac'et+ )au$ an$ 8e&&ie !yn& came in+ @4hat ho #hat ho #hat hoGA sai$ 8e&&ie %reeBily+ "e al#ays %elie*e$ in startin& a con*ersation #ell an$ puttin& people at their ease+ @4hat hoG 4hat hoGA )au$ %race$ herself for the encounter+ @"ullo 3ercy $ear A she sai$ meetin& her %rother5s accusin& eye #ith the perfect composure that comes only from a thorou&hly &uilty conscience+ @4hat5s all this I hear a%out your %ein& the >cour&e of 0on$onE 8e&&ie says that policemen $i*e $o#n manholes #hen they see you comin&+A :he chill in the air #oul$ ha*e $aunte$ a less coura&eous &irl+ 0a$y Caroline ha$ risen an$ #as starin& sternly+ 3ercy #as pullin& the puffs of an o*er#rou&ht soul+ 0or$ )arshmoreton #hose thou&hts ha$ #an$ere$ off to the rose &ar$en pulle$ himself to&ether an$ trie$ to loo' menacin&+ )au$ #ent on #ithout #aitin& for a reply+ >he #as all %u%%lin& &aiety an$ insouciance a charmin& picture of youn& (n&lish &irlhoo$ that

nearly ma$e her %rother foam at the mouth+ @=ather $ear A she sai$ attachin& herself affectionately to his %uttonhole @I #ent roun$ the lin's in ei&hty.three this mornin&+ I $i$ the lon& hole in four+ /ne un$er par a thin& I5*e ne*er $one %efore in my life+A 6@!less my soul A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton #ea'ly as #ith an apprehensi*e eye on his sister he patte$ his $au&hter5s shoul$er+7 @=irst I sent a screecher of a $ri*e ri&ht $o#n the mi$$le of the fair#ay+ :hen I too' my %rassey an$ put the %all -ust on the e$&e of the &reen+ A hun$re$ an$ ei&hty yar$s if it #as an inch+ )y approach putt2A 0a$y Caroline #ho #as no $e*otee of the royal an$ ancient &ame interrupte$ the recital+ @Ie*er min$ #hat you $i$ this mornin&+ 4hat $i$ you $o yester$ay afternoonEA @Ces A sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ @4here #ere you yester$ay afternoonEA )au$5s &aBe #as the &aBe of a youn& chil$ #ho has ne*er e*en attempte$ to put anythin& o*er in all its little life+ @4hate*er $o you meanEA @4hat #ere you $oin& in 3icca$illy yester$ay afternoonEA sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ @3icca$illyE :he place #here 3ercy fi&hts policemenE I $on5t un$erstan$+A 0a$y Caroline #as no sportsman+ >he put one of those $irect Fuestions capa%le of %ein& ans#ere$ only %y @CesA or @IoA #hich ou&ht not to %e allo#e$ in contro*ersy+ :hey are the *er%al eFui*alent of shootin& a sittin& %ir$+ @Di$ you or $i$ you not &o to 0on$on yester$ay )au$EA :he monstrous unfairness of this metho$ of attac' paine$ )au$+ =rom chil$hoo$ up she ha$ hel$ the customary feminine *ie#s upon the 0ie Direct+ As lon& as it #as a Fuestion of suppression of the true or su&&estion of the false she ha$ no scruples+ !ut she ha$ a $istaste for $eli%erate falsehoo$+ =ace$ no# #ith a choice %et#een t#o e*ils she chose the one #hich #oul$ at least lea*e her self.respect+ @Ces I $i$+A 0a$y Caroline loo'e$ at 0or$ !elpher+ 0or$ !elpher loo'e$ at 0a$y Caroline+ @Cou #ent to meet that American of yoursEA 8e&&ie !yn& sli$ softly from the room+ "e felt that he #oul$ %e happier else#here+ "e ha$ %een an acutely em%arrasse$ spectator of this $istressin& scene an$ ha$ %een passin& the time %y shufflin& his feet playin& #ith his coat %uttons an$ perspirin&+ @Don5t &o 8e&&ie A sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ @4ell #hat I mean to say is2family ro# an$ #hat not2if you see #hat I mean2I5*e one or t#o thin&s I ou&ht to $o2A "e *anishe$+ 0or$ !elpher fro#ne$ a som%re fro#n+ @:hen it #as that man #ho 'noc'e$ my hat offEA @4hat $o you meanEA sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ @;noc'e$ your hat offE Cou ne*er tol$ me he 'noc'e$ your hat off+A @It #as #hen I #as as'in& him to let me loo' insi$e the ca%+ I ha$ &raspe$ the han$le of the $oor #hen he su$$enly struc' my hat causin& it to fly off+ An$ #hile I #as pic'in& it up he $ro*e a#ay+A @C5' A e<plo$e$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ @C5' c5' c5'+A "e t#iste$ his face %y a supreme e<ertion of #ill po#er into a mas' of in$i&nation+ @Cou ou&ht to ha*e ha$ the scoun$rel arreste$ A he sai$ *ehemently+ @It #as a technical assault+A @:he man #ho 'noc'e$ your hat off 3ercy A sai$ )au$ @#as not M "e #as a

$ifferent man alto&ether+ A stran&er+A @As if you #oul$ %e in a ca% #ith a stran&er A sai$ 0a$y Caroline caustically+ @:here are limits I hope to e*en your in$iscretions+A 0or$ )arshmoreton cleare$ his throat+ "e #as sorry for )au$ #hom he lo*e$+ @Io# loo'in& at the matter %roa$ly2A @!e Fuiet A sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ 0or$ )arshmoreton su%si$e$+ @I #ante$ to a*oi$ you A sai$ )au$ @so I -umpe$ into the first ca% I sa#+A @I $on5t %elie*e it A sai$ 3ercy+ @It5s the truth+A @Cou are simply tryin& to put us off the scent+A 0a$y Caroline turne$ to )au$+ "er manner #as plainti*e+ >he loo'e$ li'e a martyr at the sta'e #ho $eprecatin&ly lo$&es a timi$ complaint fearful the #hile lest she may %e hurtin& the feelin&s of her persecutors %y appearin& e*en for a moment out of sympathy #ith their acti*ities+ @)y $ear chil$ #hy #ill you not %e reasona%le in this matterE 4hy #ill you not let yourself %e &ui$e$ %y those #ho are ol$er an$ #iser than youEA @(<actly A sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ @:he #hole thin& is too a%sur$+A @3recisely A sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ 0a$y Caroline turne$ on him irrita%ly+ @3lease $o not interrupt 3ercy+ Io# you5*e ma$e me for&et #hat I #as &oin& to say+A @:o my min$ A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton comin& to the surface once more @the proper attitu$e to a$opt on occasions li'e the present2A @3lease A sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ 0or$ )arshmoreton stoppe$ an$ resume$ his silent communion #ith the stuffe$ %ir$+ @Cou can5t stop yourself %ein& in lo*e Aunt Caroline A sai$ )au$+ @Cou can %e stoppe$ if you5*e some%o$y #ith a le*el hea$ loo'in& after you+A 0or$ )arshmoreton tore himself a#ay from the %ir$+ @4hy #hen I #as at /<for$ in the year H87 A he sai$ chattily @I fancie$ myself in lo*e #ith the female assistant at a to%acconist shop+ Desperately in lo*e $ammit+ 4ante$ to marry her+ I recollect my poor father too' me a#ay from /<for$ an$ 'ept me here at !elpher un$er loc' an$ 'ey+ 0oc' an$ 'ey $ammit+ I #as $euce$ly upset at the time I remem%er+A "is min$ #an$ere$ off into the &lorious past+ @I #on$er #hat that &irl5s name #as+ /$$ one can5t remem%er names+ >he ha$ chestnut hair an$ a mole on the si$e of her chin+ I use$ to 'iss it I recollect2A 0a$y Caroline usually such an a$*ocate of her %rother5s researches into the family history cut the reminiscences short+ @Ie*er min$ that no#+A @I $on5t+ I &ot o*er it+ :hat5s the moral+A @4ell A sai$ 0a$y Caroline @at any rate poor father acte$ #ith &reat &oo$ sense on that occasion+ :here seems nothin& to $o %ut to treat )au$ in -ust the same #ay+ Cou shall not stir a step from the castle till you ha*e &ot o*er this $rea$ful infatuation+ Cou #ill %e #atche$+A @I shall #atch you A sai$ 0or$ !elpher solemnly @I shall #atch your e*ery mo*ement+A A $reamy loo' came into )au$5s %ro#n eyes+

@>tone #alls $o not a prison ma'e nor iron %ars a ca&e A she sai$ softly+ @:hat #asn5t your e<perience 3ercy my %oy A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ @:hey ma'e a *ery &oo$ imitation A sai$ 0a$y Caroline col$ly i&norin& the interruption+ )au$ face$ her $efiantly+ >he loo'e$ li'e a princess in capti*ity facin& her &aolers+ @I $on5t care+ I lo*e him an$ I al#ays shall lo*e him an$ nothin& is e*er &oin& to stop me lo*in& him2%ecause I lo*e him A she conclu$e$ a little lamely+ @Ionsense A sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ @In a year from no# you #ill ha*e for&otten his name+ Don5t you a&ree #ith me 3ercyEA @Nuite A sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ @I shan5t+A @Deuce$ har$ thin&s to remem%er names A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ @If I5*e trie$ once to remem%er that to%acconist &irl5s name I5*e trie$ a hun$re$ times+ I ha*e an i$ea it %e&an #ith an H0+5 )uriel or "il$a or somethin&+A @4ithin a year A sai$ 0a$y Caroline @you #ill %e #on$erin& ho# you e*er came to %e so foolish+ Don5t you thin' so 3ercyEA @Nuite A sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ 0or$ )arshmoreton turne$ on him irrita%ly+ @9oo$ 9o$ %oy can5t you ans#er a simple Fuestion #ith a plain affirmati*eE 4hat $o you mean2FuiteE If some%o$y came to me an$ pointe$ you out an$ sai$ HIs that your sonE5 $o you suppose I shoul$ say HNuiteE5 I #ish the $e*il you $i$n5t collect prayer ru&s+ It5s sappe$ your %rain+A @:hey say prison life often #ea'ens the intellect father A sai$ )au$+ >he mo*e$ to#ar$s the $oor an$ turne$ the han$le+ Al%ert the pa&e %oy #ho ha$ %een courtin& earache %y listenin& at the 'eyhole strai&htene$ his small %o$y an$ scuttle$ a#ay+ @4ell is that all Aunt CarolineE )ay I &o no#EA @Certainly+ I ha*e sai$ all I #ishe$ to say+A @Jery #ell+ I5m sorry to $iso%ey you %ut I can5t help it+A @Cou5ll fin$ you can help it after you5*e %een coope$ up here for a fe# more months A sai$ 3ercy+ A &entle smile playe$ o*er )au$5s face+ @0o*e lau&hs at loc'smiths A she murmure$ softly an$ passe$ from the room+ @4hat $i$ she sayEA as'e$ 0or$ )arshmoreton intereste$+ @>omethin& a%out some%o$y lau&hin& at a loc'smithE I $on5t un$erstan$+ 4hy shoul$ anyone lau&h at loc'smithsE )ost respecta%le men+ "a$ one up here only the $ay %efore yester$ay forcin& open the $ra#er of my $es'+ 4atche$ him $o it+ )ost interestin&+ "e smelt rather stron&ly of a $amne$ %a$ %ran$ of to%acco+ =ello# must ha*e a throat of leather to %e a%le to smo'e the stuff+ !ut he $i$n5t stri'e me as an o%-ect of $erision+ =rom first to last I #as ne*er tempte$ to lau&h once+A 0or$ !elpher #an$ere$ moo$ily to the #in$o# an$ loo'e$ out into the &atherin& $ar'ness+ @An$ this has to happen A he sai$ %itterly @on the e*e of my t#enty.first %irth$ay+A

Chapter 7

:he first reFuisite of an in*a$in& army is a %ase+ 9eor&e ha*in& entere$ !elpher *illa&e an$ thus accomplishe$ the first sta&e in his fore#ar$ mo*ement on the castle selecte$ as his %ase the )arshmoreton Arms+ >electe$ is perhaps har$ly the ri&ht #or$ as it implies choice an$ in 9eor&e5s case there #as no choice+ :here are t#o inns at !elpher %ut the )arshmoreton Arms is the only one that offers accommo$ation for man an$ %east assumin&2that is to say2that the man an$ %east $esire to spen$ the ni&ht+ :he other house the !lue !oar is a mere %eerhouse #here the lo#er strata of !elpher society &ather of a ni&ht to Fuench their thirst an$ to tell one another intermina%le stories #ithout any point #hatsoe*er+ !ut the )arshmoreton Arms is a comforta%le respecta%le hostelry caterin& for the *illa&e plutocrats+ :here of an e*enin& you #ill fin$ the local *eterinary sur&eon smo'in& a pipe #ith the &rocer the %a'er an$ the %utcher #ith perhaps a sprin'lin& of nei&h%ourin& farmers to help the con*ersation alon&+ :here is a @shillin& or$inaryA2#hich is rural (n&lish for a cut off the -oint an$ a %oile$ potato follo#e$ %y hun's of the sort of cheese #hich %elie*es that it pays to a$*ertise an$ this is usually #ell atten$e$+ /n the other $ays of the #ee' until late in the e*enin& ho#e*er the *isitor to the )arshmoreton Arms has the place almost entirely to himself+ It is to %e Fuestione$ #hether in the #hole len&th an$ %rea$th of the #orl$ there is a more a$mira%le spot for a man in lo*e to pass a $ay or t#o than the typical (n&lish *illa&e+ :he 8oc'y )ountains that tra$itional stampin&.&roun$ for the heart%ro'en may %e #ell enou&h in their #ayD %ut a lo*er has to %e cast in a pretty stem moul$ to %e a%le to %e introspecti*e #hen at any moment he may meet an annoye$ cinnamon %ear+ In the (n&lish *illa&e there are no such o%stacles to me$itation+ It com%ines the comforts of ci*iliBation #ith the restfulness of solitu$e in a manner eFualle$ %y no other spot e<cept the Ie# Cor' 3u%lic 0i%rary+ "ere your lo*er may #an$er to an$ fro unmoleste$ spea'in& to no%o$y %y no%o$y a$$resse$ an$ ha*e the satisfaction at the en$ of the $ay of sittin& $o#n to a capitally coo'e$ chop an$ chips lu%ricate$ %y &ol$en (n&lish ale+ !elpher in a$$ition to all the a$*anta&es of the usual *illa&e has a Fuiet charm all its o#n $ue to the fact that it has seen %etter $ays+ In a sense it is a ruin an$ ruins are al#ays soothin& to the %ruise$ soul+ :en years %efore !elpher ha$ %een a flourishin& centre of the >outh of (n&lan$ oyster tra$e+ It is situate$ %y the shore #here "aylin& Islan$ lyin& ath#art the mouth of the %ay forms the #aters into a sort of %rac'ish la&oon in much the same #ay as =ire Islan$ shuts off the 9reat >outh !ay of 0on& Islan$ from the #a*es of the Atlantic+ :he #ater of !elpher Cree' is shallo# e*en at hi&h ti$e an$ #hen the ti$e runs out it lea*es &listenin& mu$ flats #hich it is the peculiar taste of the oyster to prefer to any other ha%itation+ =or years !elpher oysters ha$ %een the mainstay of &ay supper parties at the >a*oy the Carlton an$ 8omano5s+ Du'es $ote$ on themD chorus &irls #ept if they #ere not on the %ill of fare+ An$ then in an e*il hour some%o$y $isco*ere$ that #hat ma$e the !elpher /yster so particularly plump an$ succulent #as the fact that it %rea'faste$ lunche$ an$ $ine$ almost entirely on the local se#a&e+ :here is %ut a thin line e*er %et#een popular homa&e an$ e<ecration+ 4e see it in the case of politicians &enerals an$ priBe.fi&htersD an$ oysters are no e<ception to the rule+ :here #as a typhoi$ scare2Fuite a passin& an$ un-ustifie$ scare %ut stron& enou&h to $o its $ea$ly #or'D an$ almost o*erni&ht !elpher passe$ from a place of flourishin& in$ustry to the sleepy %y.the.#orl$.for&otten spot #hich it #as #hen 9eor&e !e*an $isco*ere$ it+ :he shallo# #ater is still thereD the mu$ is still thereD e*en the oyster.%e$s are still thereD %ut not the oysters nor the little #orl$ of acti*ity #hich ha$ sprun& up

aroun$ them+ :he &lory of !elpher is $ea$D an$ o*er its &ates Icha%o$ is #ritten+ !ut if it has lost in importance it has &aine$ in charmD an$ 9eor&e for one ha$ no re&rets+ :o him in his present state of mental uphea*al !elpher #as the i$eal spot+ It #as not at first that 9eor&e rouse$ himself to the point of as'in& #hy he #as here an$ #hat2no# that he #as here2he propose$ to $o+ =or t#o lan&uorous $ays he loafe$ sufficiently occupie$ #ith his thou&hts+ "e smo'e$ lon& peaceful pipes in the sta%le. yar$ #atchin& the ostlers as they &roome$ the horsesD he playe$ #ith the Inn puppy %esto#e$ respectful caresses on the Inn cat+ "e #al'e$ $o#n the Fuaint co%%le$ street to the har%our sauntere$ alon& the shore an$ lay on his %ac' on the little %each at the other si$e of the la&oon from #here he coul$ see the re$ roofs of the *illa&e #hile the imitation #a*es splashe$ %usily on the stones tryin& to conceal #ith %ustle an$ ener&y the fact that the #ater e*en t#o hun$re$ yar$s from the shore #as only ei&hteen inches $eep+ =or it is the a%i$in& hope of !elpher Cree' that it may %e a%le to $ecei*e the occasional *isitor into mista'in& it for the open sea+ An$ presently the ti$e #oul$ e%%+ :he #aste of #aters %ecame a sea of mu$ cheerfully co*ere$ as to much of its surface #ith &reen &rasses+ :he e*enin& sun struc' rain%o# colours from the moist softness+ !ir$s san& in the thic'ets+ An$ 9eor&e hea*in& himself up #al'e$ %ac' to the frien$ly cosiness of the )arshmoreton Arms+ An$ the remar'a%le part of it #as that e*erythin& seeme$ perfectly natural an$ sensi%le to him nor ha$ he any particular feelin& that in fallin& in lo*e #ith 0a$y )au$ )arsh an$ pursuin& her to !elpher he ha$ set himself anythin& in the nature of a hopeless tas'+ 0i'e one 'isse$ %y a &o$$ess in a $ream he #al'e$ on airD an$ #hile one is #al'in& on air it is easy to o*erloo' the %oul$ers in the path+ Consi$er his position you faint.hearte$ an$ self.pityin& youn& men #ho thin' you ha*e a tou&h ro# to hoe -ust %ecause #hen you pay your e*enin& *isit #ith the poun$ %o< of can$y un$er your arm you see the han$some sophomore from Cale sittin& %esi$e her on the porch playin& the u'ulele+ If e*er the #orl$ has turne$ %lac' to you in such a situation an$ the moon &one in %ehin$ a clou$ thin' of 9eor&e !e*an an$ #hat he #as up a&ainst+ Cou are at least on the spot+ Cou can at least put up a fi&ht+ If there are u'uleles in the #orl$ there are also &uitars an$ tomorro# it may %e you an$ not he #ho sits on the moonlit porchD it may %e he an$ not you #ho arri*es late+ 4ho 'no#sE :omorro# he may not sho# up till you ha*e finishe$ the !e$ouin5s 0o*e >on& an$ are annoyin& the local %ir$s roostin& in the trees #ith 3oor !utterfly+ 4hat I mean to say is you are on the map+ Cou ha*e a sportin& chance+ 4hereas 9eor&eM 4ell -ust &o o*er to (n&lan$ an$ try #ooin& an earl5s $au&hter #hom you ha*e only met once2an$ then #ithout an intro$uctionD #hose %rother5s hat you ha*e smashe$ %eyon$ repairD #hose family #ishes her to marry some other man1 #ho #ants to marry some other man herself2an$ not the same other man %ut another other manD #ho is closely immure$ in a me$iae*al castle M 4ell all I say is2try it+ An$ then &o %ac' to your porch #ith a chastene$ spirit an$ a$mit that you mi&ht %e a #hole lot #orse off+ 9eor&e as I say ha$ not en*isa&e$ the peculiar $ifficulties of his position+ Ior $i$ he until the e*enin& of his secon$ $ay at the )arshmoreton Arms+ ,ntil then as I ha*e in$icate$ he roame$ in a &ol$en mist of $reamy me$itation amon& the soothin& %y.#ays of the *illa&e of !elpher+ !ut after lunch on the secon$ $ay it came upon him that all this sort of thin& #as pleasant %ut not practical+ Action #as #hat #as nee$e$+ Action+ :he first the o%*ious mo*e #as to locate the castle+ InFuiries at the )arshmoreton

Arms elicite$ the fact that it #as @a stepA up the roa$ that ran past the front $oor of the inn+ !ut this #asn5t the $ay of the #ee' #hen the &eneral pu%lic #as a$mitte$+ :he si&htseer coul$ in*a$e !elpher Castle on :hurs$ays only %et#een the hours of t#o an$ four+ /n other $ays of the #ee' all he coul$ $o #as to stan$ li'e )oses on 3is&ah an$ ta'e in the &eneral effect from a $istance+ As this #as all that 9eor&e ha$ hope$ to %e a%le to $o he set forth+ It spee$ily %ecame e*i$ent to 9eor&e that @a stepA #as a euphemism+ =i*e miles $i$ he tramp %efore tru$&in& #earily up a #in$in& lane he came out on a %reeBe.s#ept hill.top an$ sa# %elo# him nestlin& in its trees #hat #as no# for him the centre of the #orl$+ "e sat on a stone #ail an$ lit a pipe+ !elpher Castle+ )au$5s home+ :here it #as+ An$ no# #hatE :he first thou&ht that came to him #as practical e*en prosaicL the thou&ht that he coul$n5t possi%ly $o this fi*e.miles.there an$.fi*e.miles.%ac' #al' e*ery time he #ante$ to see the place+ "e must shift his %ase nearer the scene of operations+ /ne of those trim thatche$ cotta&es $o#n there in the *alley #oul$ %e -ust the thin& if he coul$ arran&e to ta'e possession of it+ :hey sat there all roun$ the castle sin&ly an$ in &roups li'e small $o&s roun$ their master+ :hey loo'e$ as if they ha$ %een there for centuries+ 3ro%a%ly they ha$ as they #ere ma$e of stone as soli$ as that of the castle+ :here must ha*e %een a time thou&ht 9eor&e #hen the castle #as the central rallyin&.point for all those scattere$ homesD #hen rumour of $an&er from marau$ers ha$ sent all that little community scuttlin& for safety to the shelterin& #alls+ =or the first time since he ha$ set out on his e<pe$ition a certain chill a $iscomfortin& sin'in& of the heart afflicte$ 9eor&e as he &aBe$ $o#n at the &rim &rey fortress #hich he ha$ un$erta'en to storm+ >o must ha*e felt those marau$ers of ol$ #hen they clim%e$ to the top of this *ery hill to spy out the lan$+ An$ 9eor&e5s case #as e*en #orse than theirs+ :hey coul$ at least hope that a stron& arm an$ a stout heart #oul$ carry them past those soli$ #allsD they ha$ not to thin' of social etiFuette+ 4hereas 9eor&e #as so situate$ that an unsympathetic %utler coul$ put him to rout %y refusin& him a$mittance+ :he e*enin& #as $ra#in& in+ Alrea$y in the %rief time he ha$ spent on the hill.top the s'y ha$ turne$ from %lue to saffron an$ from saffron to &rey+ :he plainti*e *oices of homin& co#s floate$ up to him from the *alley %elo#+ A %at ha$ left its shelter an$ #as #heelin& aroun$ him a sinister %lot a&ainst the s'y+ A sic'le moon &leame$ o*er the trees+ 9eor&e felt col$+ "e turne$+ :he sha$o#s of ni&ht #rappe$ him roun$ an$ little thin&s in the he$&ero#s chirpe$ an$ chittere$ moc'ery at him as he stum%le$ $o#n the lane+ 9eor&e5s reFuest for a lonely furnishe$ cotta&e some#here in the nei&h%ourhoo$ of the castle $i$ not as he ha$ feare$ stri'e the !elpher house.a&ent as the $eman$ of a lunatic+ (*ery #ell.$resse$ stran&er #ho comes to !elpher is automatically set $o#n %y the nati*es as an artist for the picturesFueness of the place has cause$ it to %e much infeste$ %y the %rothers an$ sisters of the %rush+ In as'in& for a cotta&e in$ee$ 9eor&e $i$ precisely as !elpher society e<pecte$ him to $oD an$ the a&ent #as reachin& for his list almost %efore the #or$s #ere out of his mouth+ In less than half an hour 9eor&e #as out in the street a&ain the o#ner for the season of #hat the a&ent $escri%e$ as a @&emA an$ the employer of a farmer5s #ife #ho li*e$ near.%y an$ #oul$ as #as her custom #ith artists come in the mornin& an$ e*enin& to @$oA for him+ :he inter*ie# #oul$ ha*e ta'en %ut a fe# minutes ha$ it not %een prolon&e$ %y the chattiness of the a&ent on the

su%-ect of the occupants of the castle to #hich 9eor&e listene$ attenti*ely+ "e #as not &reatly encoura&e$ %y #hat he hear$ of 0or$ )arshmoreton+ :he earl ha$ ma$e himself nota%ly unpopular in the *illa&e recently %y his firm2the house.a&ent sai$ @pi&. hea$e$A2attitu$e in respect to a certain $ispute a%out a ri&ht.of.#ay+ It #as 0a$y Caroline an$ not the easy.&oin& peer #ho #as really to %lame in the matterD %ut the impression that 9eor&e &ot from the house.a&ent5s $escription of 0or$ )arshmoreton #as that the latter #as a sort of Iero possessin& in a$$ition to the Fualities of a 8oman tyrant many of the least lo*a%le traits of the &hila monster of AriBona+ "earin& this a%out her father an$ ha*in& alrea$y ha$ the pri*ile&e of meetin& her %rother an$ stu$yin& him at first han$ his heart %le$ for )au$+ It seeme$ to him that e<istence at the castle in such society must %e little short of torture+ @I must $o somethin& A he muttere$+ @I must $o somethin& Fuic'+A @!e& par$on A sai$ the house.a&ent+ @Iothin& A sai$ 9eor&e+ @4ell I5ll ta'e that cotta&e+ I5$ %etter #rite you a cheFue for the first month5s rent no#+A >o 9eor&e too' up his a%o$e full of strenuous2if *a&ue2purpose in the plainly. furnishe$ %ut not uncomforta%le cotta&e 'no#n locally as @the one $o#n %y 3latt5s+A "e mi&ht ha*e foun$ a #orse %illet+ It #as a t#o.storie$ %uil$in& of staine$ re$ %ric' not one of the thatche$ nests on #hich he ha$ loo'e$ $o#n from the hill+ :hose #ere not for rent %ein& occupie$ %y families #hose ancestors ha$ occupie$ them for &enerations %ac'+ :he one $o#n %y 3latt5s #as a more mo$ern structure2a speculation in fact of the farmer #hose #ife came to @$oA for 9eor&e an$ $esi&ne$ especially to accommo$ate the stran&er #ho ha$ the $esire an$ the money to rent it+ It so $eparte$ from type that it possesse$ a small %ut un$enia%le %ath.room+ !esi$es this miracle there #as a cosy sittin&.room a lar&er %e$room on the floor a%o*e an$ ne<t to this an empty room facin& north #hich ha$ e*i$ently ser*e$ artist occupants as a stu$io+ :he remain$er of the &roun$ floor #as ta'en up %y 'itchen an$ scullery+ :he furniture ha$ %een constructe$ %y some%o$y #ho #oul$ pro%a%ly ha*e $one *ery #ell if he ha$ ta'en up some other line of in$ustryD %ut it #as miti&ate$ %y a *ery fine an$ comforta%le #ic'er easy chair left there %y one of last year5s artistsD an$ other artists ha$ helpe$ alon& the &oo$ #or' %y relie*in& the plainness of the #alls #ith a lan$scape or t#o+ In fact #hen 9eor&e ha$ remo*e$ from the room t#o antimacassars three &roup photo&raphs of the farmer5s relations an illuminate$ te<t an$ a china statuette of the Infant >amuel an$ stac'e$ them in a corner of the empty stu$io the place %ecame almost a home from home+ >olitu$e can %e *ery unsolitary if a man is in lo*e+ 9eor&e ne*er e*en %e&an to %e %ore$+ :he only thin& that in any #ay trou%le$ his peace #as the thou&ht that he #as not accomplishin& a &reat $eal in the matter of helpin& )au$ out of #hate*er trou%le it #as that ha$ %efallen her+ :he most he coul$ $o #as to pro#l a%out roa$s near the castle in the hope of an acci$ental meetin&+ An$ such #as his &oo$ fortune that on the fourth $ay of his *i&il the acci$ental meetin& occurre$+ :a'in& his mornin& pro#l alon& the lanes he #as re#ar$e$ %y the si&ht of a &rey racin&.car at the si$e of the roa$+ It #as empty %ut from un$erneath it protru$e$ a pair of lon& le&s #hile %esi$e it stoo$ a &irl at the si&ht of #hom 9eor&e5s heart %e&an to thump so *iolently that the lon&.le&&e$ one mi&ht ha*e %een par$one$ ha$ he suppose$ that his en&ine ha$ starte$ a&ain of its o#n *olition+ ,ntil he spo'e the soft &rass ha$ 'ept her from hearin& his approach+ "e stoppe$ close

%ehin$ her an$ cleare$ his throat+ >he starte$ an$ turne$ an$ their eyes met+ =or a moment hers #ere empty of any reco&nition+ :hen they lit up+ >he cau&ht her %reath Fuic'ly an$ a faint flush came into her face+ @Can I help youEA as'e$ 9eor&e+ :he lon& le&s #ri&&le$ out into the roa$ follo#e$ %y a lon& %o$y+ :he youn& man un$er the car sat up turnin& a &rease.strea'e$ an$ pleasant face to 9eor&e+ @(h #hatEA @Can I help youE I 'no# ho# to fi< a car+A :he youn& man %eame$ in frien$ly fashion+ @It5s a#fully &oo$ of you ol$ chap %ut so $o I+ It5s the only thin& I can $o #ell+ :han's *ery much an$ so forth all the same+A 9eor&e fastene$ his eyes on the &irl5s+ >he ha$ not spo'en+ @If there is anythin& in the #orl$ I can possi%ly $o for you A he sai$ slo#ly @I hope you #ill let me 'no#+ I shoul$ li'e a%o*e all thin&s to help you+A :he &irl spo'e+ @:han' you A she sai$ in a lo# *oice almost inau$i%le+ 9eor&e #al'e$ a#ay+ :he &rease.strea'e$ youn& man follo#e$ him #ith his &aBe+ @Ci*il co*e that A he sai$+ @8ather &ushin& thou&h #hatE American #asn5t heEA @Ces+ I thin' he #as+A @Americans are the ci*illest co*es I e*er struc'+ I remem%er as'in& the #ay of a chappie at !altimore a couple of years a&o #hen I #as there in my yacht an$ he follo#e$ me for miles shrie'in& a$*ice an$ encoura&ement+ I thou&ht it $euce$ ci*il of him+A @I #ish you #oul$ hurry up an$ &et the car ri&ht 8e&&ie+ 4e shall %e a#fully late for lunch+A 8e&&ie !yn& %e&an to sli$e %ac'#ar$s un$er the car+ @All ri&ht $ear heart+ 8ely on me+ It5s somethin& Fuite simple+A @4ell $o %e Fuic'+A @Imitation of &rease$ li&htnin&2*ery $ifficult A sai$ 8e&&ie encoura&in&ly+ @!e patient+ :ry an$ amuse yourself someho#+ As' yourself a ri$$le+ :ell yourself a fe# anec$otes+ I5ll %e #ith you in a moment+ I say I #on$er #hat the co*e is $oin& at !elpherE Deuce$ ci*il co*e A sai$ 8e&&ie appro*in&ly+ @I li'e$ him+ An$ no# %usiness of repairin& %rea'$o#n+A "is smilin& face *anishe$ un$er the car li'e the Cheshire cat+ )au$ stoo$ loo'in& thou&htfully $o#n the roa$ in the $irection in #hich 9eor&e ha$ $isappeare$+

Chapter
:he follo#in& $ay #as a :hurs$ay an$ on :hurs$ays as has %een state$ !elpher Castle #as thro#n open to the &eneral pu%lic %et#een the hours of t#o an$ four+ It #as a tra$ition of lon& stan$in& this perio$ical lo#erin& of the %arriers an$ ha$ al#ays %een faithfully o%ser*e$ %y 0or$ )arshmoreton e*er since his accession to the title+ !y the permanent occupants of the castle the $ay #as re&ar$e$ #ith mi<e$ feelin&s+ 0or$ !elpher #hile appro*in& of it in theory as he $i$ of all the family tra$itions2for he #as a &reat supporter of all thin&s feu$al an$ too' his position as one of the here$itary aristocracy of 9reat !ritain e<tremely seriously2heartily $isli'e$ it in practice+ )ore

than once he ha$ %een o%li&e$ to e<it hastily %y a further $oor in or$er to 'eep from %ein& $isco*ere$ %y a $ro*e of tourists intent on inspectin& the li%rary or the &reat $ra#in&.roomD an$ no# it #as his custom to retire to his %e$room imme$iately after lunch an$ not to emer&e until the ti$e of in*asion ha$ e%%e$ a#ay+ ;e&&s the %utler al#ays loo'e$ for#ar$ to :hurs$ays #ith pleasura%le anticipation+ "e en-oye$ the sense of authority #hich it &a*e him to her$ these poor outcasts to an$ fro amon& the surroun$in&s #hich #ere an e*ery.$ay commonplace to himself+ Also he li'e$ hearin& the soun$ of his o#n *oice as it lecture$ in rollin& perio$s on the o%-ects of interest %y the #ay.si$e+ !ut e*en to ;e&&s there #as a %itter mi<e$ #ith the s#eet+ Io one #as %etter a#are than himself that the no%ility of his manner e<cellent as a means of impressin& the mo% #or'e$ a&ainst him #hen it came to a Fuestion of tips+ A&ain an$ a&ain ha$ he %een harro#e$ %y the spectacle of tourists hu$$le$ to&ether li'e sheep $e%atin& amon& themsel*es in ner*ous #hispers as to #hether they coul$ offer this persona&e anythin& so contempti%le as half a cro#n for himself an$ $eci$in& that such an insult #as out of the Fuestion+ It #as his en$ea*our especially to#ar$s the en$ of the procee$in&s to culti*ate a manner %len$in& a $i&nity fittin& his position #ith a sunny &eniality #hich #oul$ allay the timi$ $ou%ts of the tourist an$ in$icate to him that %iBarre as the i$ea mi&ht seem there #as nothin& to pre*ent him placin& his poor sil*er in more #orthy han$s+ 3ossi%ly the only mem%er of the castle community #ho #as a%solutely in$ifferent to these pu%lic *isits #as 0or$ )arshmoreton+ "e ma$e no $ifference %et#een :hurs$ay an$ any other $ay+ 3recisely as usual he $onne$ his staine$ cor$uroys an$ pottere$ a%out his %elo*e$ &ar$enD an$ #hen as happene$ on an a*era&e once a Fuarter some *isitor straye$ from the main her$ came upon him as he #or'e$ an$ mistoo' him for one of the &ar$eners he accepte$ the error #ithout any attempt at e<planation sometimes &oin& so far as to encoura&e it %y a$optin& a rustic accent in 'eepin& #ith his appearance+ :his sort thin& tic'le$ the simple.min$e$ peer+ 9eor&e -oine$ the procession punctually at t#o o5cloc' -ust as ;e&&s #as clearin& his throat preparatory to sayin& @4e are no# in the main Hall an$ %efore &oin& any further I #oul$ li'e to call your attention to >ir 3eter 0ely5s portrait of2A It #as his custom to %e&in his :hurs$ay lectures #ith this remar' %ut to$ay it #as postpone$D for no sooner ha$ 9eor&e appeare$ than a %reeBy *oice on the outs'irts of the thron& spo'e in a tone that ma$e competition impossi%le+ @=or &oo$ness5 sa'e 9eor&e+A An$ !illie Dore $etache$ herself from the &roup a trim *ision in %lue+ >he #ore a $ust. coat an$ a motor *eil an$ her eyes an$ chee's #ere &lo#in& from the fresh air+ @=or &oo$ness5 sa'e 9eor&e #hat are you $oin& hereEA @I #as -ust &oin& to as' you the same thin&+A @/h I motore$ $o#n #ith a %oy I 'no#+ 4e ha$ a %rea'$o#n -ust outsi$e the &ates+ 4e #ere on our #ay to !ri&hton for lunch+ "e su&&este$ I shoul$ pass the time seein& the si&hts #hile he fi<e$ up the sproc'ets or the $ifferential &ear or #hate*er it #as+ "e5s comin& to pic' me up #hen he5s throu&h+ !ut on the le*el 9eor&e ho# $o you &et this #ayE Cou snea' out of to#n an$ lea*e the sho# flat an$ no%o$y has a notion #here you are+ 4hy #e #ere thin'in& of a$*ertisin& for you or &oin& to the police or somethin&+ =or all any%o$y 'ne# you mi&ht ha*e %een san$%a&&e$ or $roppe$ in the ri*er+A :his aspect of the matter ha$ not occurre$ to 9eor&e till no#+ "is su$$en $escent on

!elpher ha$ seeme$ to him the only natural course to pursue+ "e ha$ not realiBe$ that he #oul$ %e misse$ an$ that his a%sence mi&ht ha*e cause$ &ra*e incon*enience to a lar&e num%er of people+ @I ne*er thou&ht of that+ I2#ell I -ust happene$ to come here+A @Cou aren5t li*in& in this ol$ castleEA @Iot Fuite+ I5*e a cotta&e $o#n the roa$+ I #ante$ a fe# $ays in the country so I rente$ it+A @!ut #hat ma$e you choose this placeEA ;e&&s #ho ha$ %een re&ar$in& these $istur%ers of the peace #ith $i&nifie$ $isappro*al cou&he$+ @If you #oul$ not min$ ma$am+ 4e are #aitin&+A @(hE "o#5s thatEA )iss Dore loo'e$ up #ith a %ri&ht smile+ @I5m sorry+ Come alon& 9eor&e+ 9et in the &ame+A >he no$$e$ cheerfully to the %utler+ @All ri&ht+ All set no#+ Cou may fire #hen rea$y 9ri$ley+A ;e&&s %o#e$ austerely an$ cleare$ his throat a&ain+ @4e are no# in the main Hall an$ %efore &oin& any further I #oul$ li'e to call your attention to >ir 3eter 0ely5s portrait of the fifth countess+ >ai$ %y e<perts to %e in his %est manner+A :here #as an almost soun$less murmur from the mo% e<pressi*e of #on$er an$ a#e li'e a &entle %reeBe rustlin& lea*es+ !illie Dore resume$ her con*ersation in a #hisper+ @Ces there #as an a#ful lot of e<citement #hen they foun$ that you ha$ $isappeare$+ :hey #ere phonin& the Carlton e*ery ten minutes tryin& to &et you+ Cou see the summertime num%er floppe$ on the secon$ ni&ht an$ they ha$n5t anythin& to put in its place+ !ut it5s all ri&ht+ :hey too' it out an$ se#e$ up the #oun$ an$ no# you5$ ne*er 'no# there ha$ %een anythin& #ron&+ :he sho# #as ten minutes too lon& any#ay+A @"o#5s the sho# &oin&EA @It5s a riot+ :hey thin' it #ill run t#o years in 0on$on+ As far as I can ma'e it out you $on5t call it a success in 0on$on unless you can ta'e your &ran$chil$ren to see the thousan$th ni&ht+A @:hat5s splen$i$+ An$ ho# is e*ery%o$yE All ri&htEA @=ine+ :hat fello# 9ray is still han&in& roun$ !a%e+ It %eats me #hat she sees in him+ Any%o$y %ut an infant coul$ see the man #asn5t on the le*el+ 4ell I $on5t %lame you for Fuittin& 0on$on 9eor&e+ :his sort of thin& is #orth fifty 0on$ons+A :he procession ha$ reache$ one of the upper rooms an$ they #ere loo'in& $o#n from a #in$o# that comman$e$ a s#eep of miles of the countrysi$e rollin& an$ &reen an$ #oo$e$+ =ar a#ay %eyon$ the last co*ert !elpher !ay &leame$ li'e a strea' of sil*er+ !illie Dore &a*e a little si&h+ @:here5s nothin& li'e this in the #orl$+ I5$ li'e to stan$ here for the rest of my life -ust lappin& it up+A @I #ill call your attention A %oome$ ;e&&s at their el%o# @to this #in$o# 'no#n in the fem5ly tre$ition as 0eonar$5s 0eap+ It #as in the year se*enteen Hun$re$ an$ ei&hty. se*en that 0or$ 0eonar$ =orth el$est son of HIs 9race the Doo' of 0ochlane Hurle$ Himself out of this #in$o# in or$er to a*oi$ compromisin& the %eautiful Countess of )arshmoreton #ith oom He is relate$ to Ha*e Ha$ a ninnocent romance+ >urprise$ at an a$*ance$ hour %y His lor$ship the earl in Her la$yship5s %ou$oir as this room then #as He leape$ throu&h the open #in$o# into the %ou&hs of the ce$ar tree #hich stan$s %elo#

an$ #as fortunate enou&h to escape #ith a fe# Harmless contusions+A A murmur of a$miration &reete$ the recital of the rea$y tact of this ei&hteenth.century >te*e !ro$ie+ @:here A sai$ !illie enthusiastically @that5s e<actly #hat I mean a%out this country+ It5s -ust a mass of 0eonar$5s 0eaps an$ thin&s+ I5$ li'e to settle $o#n in this sort of place an$ spen$ the rest of my life mil'in& co#s an$ ta'in& for'fuls of soup to the $eser*in& *illa&ers+A @4e #ill no# A sai$ ;e&&s her$in& the mo% #ith a &esture @procee$ to the Am%er Dra#in&.8oom containin& some 9o%elin :apestries Hi&hly spo'en of %y connooBers+A :he o%e$ient mo% %e&an to $rift out in his #a'e+ @4hat $o you say 9eor&e A as'e$ !illie in an un$ertone @if #e si$e.step the Am%er Dra#in&.8oomE I5m #il$ to &et into that &ar$en+ :here5s a man #or'in& amon& those roses+ )ay%e he #oul$ sho# us roun$+A 9eor&e follo#e$ her pointin& fin&er+ ?ust %elo# them a stur$y %ro#n.face$ man in cor$uroys #as pausin& to li&ht a stu%%y pipe+ @?ust as you li'e+A :hey ma$e their #ay $o#n the &reat staircase+ :he *oice of ;e&&s sayin& complimentary thin&s a%out the 9o%elin :apestry came to their ears li'e the roll of $istant $rums+ :hey #an$ere$ out to#ar$s the rose.&ar$en+ :he man in cor$uroys ha$ lit his pipe an$ #as %en$in& once more to his tas'+ @4ell $a$$a A sai$ !illie amia%ly @ho# are the cropsEA :he man strai&htene$ himself+ "e #as a nice.loo'in& man of mi$$le a&e #ith the 'in$ eyes of a frien$ly $o&+ "e smile$ &enially an$ starte$ to put his pipe a#ay+ !illie stoppe$ him+ @Don5t stop smo'in& on my account A she sai$+ @I li'e it+ 4ell you5*e &ot the ri&ht sort of a -o% ha*en5t youG If I #as a man there5s nothin& I5$ li'e %etter than to put in my ei&ht hours in a rose.&ar$en+A >he loo'e$ a%out her+ @An$ this A she sai$ #ith appro*al @is -ust #hat a rose.&ar$en ou&ht to %e+A @Are you fon$ of roses2missyEA @Cou %et I amG Cou must ha*e e*ery 'in$ here that #as e*er in*ente$+ All the fifty. se*en *arieties+A @:here are nearly three thousan$ *arieties A sai$ the man in cor$uroys tolerantly+ @I #as spea'in& colloFuially $a$$a+ Cou can5t teach me anythin& a%out roses+ I5m the &uy that in*ente$ them+ 9ot any AyrshiresEA :he man in cor$uroys seeme$ to ha*e come to the conclusion that !illie #as the only thin& on earth that mattere$+ :his re*elation of a 'in$re$ spirit ha$ capture$ him completely+ 9eor&e #as merely amon& those present+ @:hose2them2o*er there are Ayrshires missy+A @4e $on5t &et Ayrshires in America+ At least I ne*er ran across them+ I suppose they $o ha*e them+A @Cou #ant the ri&ht soil+A @Clay an$ lots of rain+A @Cou5re ri&ht+A :here #as an earnest e<pression on !illie Dore5s face that 9eor&e ha$ ne*er seen there %efore+ @>ay listen $a$$a in this matter of rose.%eetles #hat #oul$ you $o if2A

9eor&e mo*e$ a#ay+ :he con*ersation #as %ecomin& too technical for him an$ he ha$ an i$ea that he #oul$ not %e misse$+ :here ha$ come to him moreo*er in a flash one of those su$$en inspirations #hich &reat &enerals &et+ "e ha$ *isite$ the castle this afternoon #ithout any settle$ plan other than a *a&ue hope that he mi&ht someho# see )au$+ "e no# percei*e$ that there #as no chance of $oin& this+ (*i$ently on :hurs$ays the family #ent to earth an$ remaine$ hi$$en until the si&htseers ha$ &one+ !ut there #as another a*enue of communication open to him+ :his &ar$ener seeme$ an e<ceptionally intelli&ent man+ "e coul$ %e truste$ to $eli*er a note to )au$+ In his late ram%les a%out !elpher Castle in the company of ;e&&s an$ his follo#ers 9eor&e ha$ %een pri*ile&e$ to inspect the li%rary+ It #as an easily accessi%le room openin& off the main hail+ "e left !illie an$ her ne# frien$ $eep in a $iscussion of slu&s an$ plant.lice an$ #al'e$ Fuic'ly %ac' to the house+ :he li%rary #as unoccupie$+ 9eor&e #as a thorou&h youn& man+ "e %elie*e$ in lea*in& nothin& to chance+ :he &ar$ener ha$ seeme$ a trust#orthy soul %ut you ne*er 'ne#+ It #as possi%le that he $ran'+ "e mi&ht for&et or lose the precious note+ >o #ith a #ary eye on the $oor 9eor&e hastily scri%%le$ it in $uplicate+ :his too' him %ut a fe# minutes+ "e #ent out into the &ar$en a&ain to fin$ !illie Dore on the point of steppin& into a %lue automo%ile+ @/h there you are 9eor&e+ I #on$ere$ #here you ha$ &ot to+ >ay I ma$e Fuite a hit #ith $a$$a+ I5*e &i*en him my a$$ress an$ he5s promise$ to sen$ me a #hole lot of roses+ !y the #ay sha'e han$s #ith )r+ =orsyth+ :his is 9eor&e !e*an =re$$ie #ho #rote the music of our sho#+A :he solemn youth at the #heel e<ten$e$ a han$+ @:oppin& sho#+ :oppin& music+ :oppin& all roun$+A @4ell &oo$.%ye 9eor&e+ >ee you soon I supposeEA @/h yes+ 9i*e my lo*e to e*ery%o$y+A @All ri&ht+ 0et her rip =re$$ie+ 9oo$.%ye+A @9oo$.%ye+A :he %lue car &athere$ spee$ an$ *anishe$ $o#n the $ri*e+ 9eor&e returne$ to the man in cor$uroys #ho ha$ %ent himself $ou%le in pursuit of a slu&+ @?ust a minute A sai$ 9eor&e hurrie$ly+ "e pulle$ out the first of the notes+ @9i*e this to 0a$y )au$ the first chance you &et+ It5s important+ "ere5s a so*erei&n for your trou%le+A "e hastene$ a#ay+ "e notice$ that &ratification ha$ turne$ the other nearly purple in the face an$ #as an<ious to lea*e him+ "e #as a mo$est youn& man an$ effusi*e than's al#ays em%arrasse$ him+ :here no# remaine$ the $isposal of the $uplicate note+ It #as har$ly #orth #hile perhaps ta'in& such a precaution %ut 9eor&e 'ne# that *ictories are #on %y those #ho ta'e no chances+ "e ha$ #an$ere$ perhaps a hun$re$ yar$s from the rose.&ar$en #hen he encountere$ a small %oy in the many.%uttone$ uniform of a pa&e+ :he %oy ha$ appeare$ from %ehin$ a %i& ce$ar #here as a matter of fact he ha$ %een smo'in& a stolen ci&arette+ @Do you #ant to earn half a cro#nEA as'e$ 9eor&e+ :he mar'et *alue of messen&ers ha$ slumpe$+ :he striplin& hel$ his han$ out+ @9i*e this note to 0a$y )au$+A @8i&ht hoGA @>ee that it reaches her at once+A 9eor&e #al'e$ off #ith the consciousness of a &oo$ $ay5s #or' $one+ Al%ert the pa&e

ha*in& %itten his half.cro#n place$ it in his poc'et+ :hen he hurrie$ a#ay a loo' of e<citement an$ &ratification in his $eep %lue eyes+

Chapter !
4hile 9eor&e an$ !illie Dore #an$ere$ to the rose &ar$en to inter*ie# the man in cor$uroys )au$ ha$ %een seate$ not a hun$re$ yar$s a#ay2in a *ery special haunt of her o#n a crac'e$ stucco temple set up in the $ays of the 8e&ency on the shores of a little lily.co*ere$ pon$+ >he #as rea$in& poetry to Al%ert the pa&e+ Al%ert the pa&e #as a recent a$$ition to )au$5s inner circle+ >he ha$ intereste$ herself in him some t#o months %ac' in much the same spirit as the prisoner in his $un&eon cell tames an$ pets the con*entional mouse+ :o e$ucate Al%ert to raise him a%o*e his &roo*e in life an$ $e*elop his soul appeale$ to her romantic nature as a #orthy tas' an$ as a &oo$ #ay of fillin& in the time+ It is an e<cee$in&ly moot point2an$ one #hich his associates of the ser*ants5 hall #oul$ ha*e com%ate$ hotly2#hether Al%ert possesse$ a soul+ :he most one coul$ say for certain is that he loo'e$ as if he possesse$ one+ :o one #ho sa# his $eep %lue eyes an$ their s#eet pensi*e e<pression as they searche$ the mi$$le $istance he seeme$ li'e a youn& an&el+ "o# #as the #atcher to 'no# that the thou&ht %ehin$ that far.off &aBe #as simply a speculation as to #hether the %ir$ on the ce$ar tree #as or #as not #ithin ran&e of his catapultE Certainly )au$ ha$ no such suspicion+ >he #or'e$ hopefully $ay %y $ay to rouse Al%ert to an appreciation of the no%ler thin&s of life+ Iot %ut #hat it #as tou&h &oin&+ (*en she a$mitte$ that+ Al%ert5s soul $i$ not soar rea$ily+ It refuse$ to leap from the earth+ "is reception of the poem she #as rea$in& coul$ scarcely ha*e %een calle$ encoura&in&+ )au$ finishe$ it in a hushe$ *oice an$ loo'e$ pensi*ely across the $apple$ #ater of the pool+ A &entle %reeBe stirre$ the #ater.lilies so that they seeme$ to si&h+ @Isn5t that %eautiful Al%ertEA she sai$+ Al%ert5s %lue eyes lit up+ "is lips parte$ ea&erly @:hat5s the first hornet I seen this year A he sai$ pointin&+ )au$ felt a little $ampe$+ @"a*en5t you %een listenin& Al%ertEA @/h yes m5la$yG Ain5t he a #opper tooEA @Ie*er min$ the hornet Al%ert+A @Jery &oo$ m5la$y+A @I #ish you #oul$n5t say HJery &oo$ m5la$y5+ It5s li'e2li'e2A >he pause$+ >he ha$ %een a%out to say that it #as li'e a %utler %ut she reflecte$ re&retfully it #as pro%a%ly Al%ert5s $earest am%ition to %e li'e a %utler+ @It $oesn5t soun$ ri&ht+ ?ust say HCes5+A @Ces m5la$y+A )au$ #as not enthusiastic a%out the H)5la$y5 %ut she let it &o+ After all she ha$ not Fuite settle$ in her o#n min$ #hat e<actly she #ishe$ Al%ert5s attitu$e to#ar$s herself to %e+ !roa$ly spea'in& she #ante$ him to %e as li'e as he coul$ to a me$ie*al pa&e one of those sil'.an$.satine$ little treasures she ha$ rea$ a%out in the In&ol$s%y 0e&en$s+ An$ of course they presuma%ly sai$ Hmy la$y5+ An$ yet2she felt2not for the first time2 that it is not easy to re*i*e the )i$$le A&es in these curious $ays+ 3a&es li'e other thin&s seem to ha*e chan&e$ since then+

@:hat poem #as #ritten %y a *ery cle*er man #ho marrie$ one of my ancestresses+ "e ran a#ay #ith her from this *ery castle in the se*enteenth century+A @0or5@ sai$ Al%ert as a concession %ut he #as still intereste$ n the hornet+ @"e #as far %elo# her in the eyes of the #orl$ %ut she 'ne# #hat a #on$erful man he #as so she $i$n5t min$ #hat people sai$ a%out her marryin& %eneath her+A @0i'e >usan #hen she marrie$ the pleeceman+A @4ho #as >usanEA @8e$.5ea$e$ &el that use$ to %e coo' Here+ )r+ ;e&&s says to Her He says HCou5re marryin& %eneath you >usan5 He says+ I Hear$ Him+ I #as listenin5 at the $oor+ An$ she says to Him she says H/h &o an$ %oil your fat Hea$5 she says+A :his translation of a fa*ourite romance into terms of the ser*ants5 hall chille$ )au$ li'e a col$ sho#er+ >he recoile$ from it+ @4oul$n5t you li'e to &et a &oo$ e$ucation Al%ert A she sai$ perse*erin&ly @an$ %ecome a &reat poet an$ #rite #on$erful poemsEA Al%ert consi$ere$ the point an$ shoo' his hea$+ @Io m5la$y+A It #as $iscoura&in&+ !ut )au$ #as a &irl of pluc'+ Cou cannot leap into stran&e ca%s in 3icca$illy unless you ha*e pluc'+ >he pic'e$ up another %oo' from the stone seat+ @8ea$ me some of this A she sai$ @an$ then tell me if it $oesn5t ma'e you feel you #ant to $o %i& thin&s+A Al%ert too' the %oo' cautiously+ "e #as &ettin& a little fe$ up #ith all this sort of thin&+ :rue Her la$yship &a*e him chocolates to eat $urin& these sessions %ut for all that it #as too much li'e school for his taste+ "e re&ar$e$ the open pa&e #ith $isfa*our+ @9o on A sai$ )au$ closin& her eyes+ @It5s *ery %eautiful+A Al%ert %e&an+ "e ha$ a hus'y *oice $ue it is to %e feare$ to precocious ci&arette smo'in& an$ his enunciation #as not as &oo$ as it mi&ht ha*e %een+ @4i*5 %le'est morss the flo#er.ports 4as.I mean #ere.cruste$ one an$ orlD :her ruste$ niles fell from the 'norts :hat Hel$ the pear to the &ar$en.#orll+ :her %ro'en she$s loo'e$ se$ an$ strin&eD ,nlifte$ #as the clin'in& latchD 4ee$e$ an$ #orn their ancient thatch (r.pon ther lo#nely moate$ &rin&e >he only sai$ H)e life is $reary H( cometh not 5 she sai$+A Al%ert rather li'e$ this part+ "e #as ne*er happy in narrati*e unless it coul$ %e sprin'le$ #ith a plentiful supply of @he sai$5sA an$ @she sai$5s+A "e finishe$ #ith some &usto+ @>he sai$ L I am a#eary a#eary I #oul$ that I #as $ea$+A )au$ ha$ listene$ to this ren$ition of one of her most a$ore$ poems #ith much the same feelin& #hich a composer #ith an o*er.sensiti*e ear #oul$ suffer on hearin& his pet opus assassinate$ %y a school&irl+ Al%ert #ho #as a #illin& la$ an$ prepare$ if such shoul$ %e her $esire to plou&h his #ay throu&h the entire se*en stanBas %e&an the secon$ *erse %ut )au$ &ently too' the %oo' a#ay from him+ (nou&h #as sufficient+ @Io# #oul$n5t you li'e to %e a%le to #rite a #on$erful thin& li'e that Al%ertEA @Iot me m5la$y+A @Cou #oul$n5t li'e to %e a poet #hen you &ro# upEA Al%ert shoo' his &ol$en hea$+ @I #ant to %e a %utcher #hen I &ro# up m5la$y+A )au$ uttere$ a little cry+

@A %utcherEA @Cus m5la$y+ !utchers earn &oo$ money A he sai$ a li&ht of enthusiasm in his %lue eyes for he #as no# on his fa*ourite su%-ect+ @Cou5*e &ot to Ha*e meat yer see m5la$y+ It ain5t li'e poetry m5la$y #hich no one #ants+A @!ut Al%ert A crie$ )au$ faintly+ @;illin& poor animals+ >urely you #oul$n5t li'e thatEA Al%ert5s eyes &lo#e$ softly as mi&ht an acolyte5s at the si&ht of the censer+ @)r+ 4i$&eon $o#n at the Home farm A he murmure$ re*erently @he says if I5m a &oo$ %oy He5ll let me #atch Him 'ill a pi& :oos$ay+A "e &aBe$ out o*er the #ater.lilies his thou&hts far a#ay+ )au$ shu$$ere$+ >he #on$ere$ if me$ie*al pa&es #ere e*er Fuite as earthy as this+ @3erhaps you ha$ %etter &o no# Al%ert+ :hey may %e nee$in& you in the house+A @Jery &oo$ m5la$y+A Al%ert rose not un#illin& to call it a $ay+ "e #as conscious of the nee$ for a Fuiet ci&arette+ "e #as fon$ of )au$ %ut a man can5t spen$ all his time #ith the #omen+ @3i&s sFueal li'e %illy.o m5la$yGA he o%ser*e$ %y #ay of a$$in& a partin& treasure to )au$5s stoc' of &eneral 'no#le$&e+ @/oG H(ar Hem a mile orf you canGA )au$ remaine$ #here she #as thin'in& a #istful fi&ure+ :ennyson5s @)arianaA al#ays ma$e her #istful e*en #hen ren$ere$ %y Al%ert+ In the occasional moo$s of sentimental $epression #hich came to *ary her normal cheerfulness it seeme$ to her that the poem mi&ht ha*e %een #ritten #ith a prophetic eye to her special case so nearly $i$ it crystalliBe in ma&ic #or$s her o#n story+ @4ith %lac'est moss the flo#er.pots 4ere thic'ly cruste$ one an$ all+A 4ell no not that particular part perhaps+ If he ha$ foun$ so much as one flo#er.pot of his e*en thinly cruste$ #ith any forei&n su%stance 0or$ )arshmoreton #oul$ ha*e &one throu&h the place li'e an east #in$ $ismissin& &ar$eners an$ un$er.&ar$eners #ith e*ery %reath+ !ut2 @>he only sai$ H)y life is $reary "e cometh not 5 she sai$+ >he sai$ HI am a#eary a#eary+ I #oul$ that I #ere $ea$GA "o# e<actly2at these moments #hen she #as not out on the lin's pic'in& them off the turf #ith a mi$iron or en&a&e$ in one of those other healthful sports #hich ten$ to ta'e the min$ off its trou%les2those #or$s summe$ up her case+ 4hy $i$n5t 9eoffrey comeE /r at least #riteE >he coul$ not #rite to him+ 0etters from the castle left only %y #ay of the castle post.%a& #hich 8o&ers the chauffeur too' $o#n to the *illa&e e*ery e*enin&+ Impossi%le to entrust the 'in$ of letter she #ishe$ to #rite to any mo$e of $eli*ery so pu%lic2especially no# #hen her mo*ements #ere #atche$+ :o open an$ rea$ another5s letters is a lo# an$ $astar$ly act %ut she %elie*e$ that 0a$y Caroline #oul$ $o it li'e a shot+ >he lon&e$ to pour out her heart to 9eoffrey in a lon& intimate letter %ut she $i$ not $are to ta'e the ris' of #ritin& for a #i$er pu%lic+ :hin&s #ere %a$ enou&h as it #as after that $isastrous sortie to 0on$on+ At this point a soothin& *ision came to her2the *ision of 9eor&e !e*an 'noc'in& off her %rother 3ercy5s hat+ It #as the only pleasant thin& that ha$ happene$ almost as far %ac' as she coul$ remem%er+ An$ then for the first time her min$ con$escen$e$ to $#ell for a moment on the author of that act 9eor&e !e*an the frien$ in nee$ #hom she ha$ met only the $ay %efore in the lane+ 4hat #as 9eor&e $oin& at !elpherE "is presence there #as si&nificant an$ his #or$s e*en more so+ "e ha$ state$ e<plicitly that he #ishe$

to help her+ >he foun$ herself oppresse$ %y the irony of thin&s+ A 'ni&ht ha$ come to the rescue2 %ut the #ron& 'ni&ht+ 4hy coul$ it not ha*e %een 9eoffrey #ho #aite$ in am%ush outsi$e the castle an$ not a pleasant %ut ne&li&i%le stran&erE 4hether $eep $o#n in her consciousness she #as a#are of a fleetin& sense of $isappointment in 9eoffrey a s#iftly passin& thou&ht that he ha$ faile$ her she coul$ har$ly ha*e sai$ so Fuic'ly $i$ she crush it $o#n+ >he pon$ere$ on the arri*al of 9eor&e+ 4hat #as the use of his %ein& some#here in the nei&h%ourhoo$ if she ha$ no means of 'no#in& #here she coul$ fin$ himE >ituate$ as she #as she coul$ not #an$er at #ill a%out the countrysi$e loo'in& for him+ An$ e*en if she foun$ him #hat thenE :here #as not much that any stran&er ho#e*er pleasant coul$ $o+ >he flushe$ at a su$$en thou&ht+ /f course there #as somethin& 9eor&e coul$ $o for her if he #ere #illin&+ "e coul$ recei*e $espatch an$ $eli*er letters+ If only she coul$ &et in touch #ith him she coul$2throu&h him2&et in touch #ith 9eoffrey+ :he #hole #orl$ chan&e$ for her+ :he sun #as settin& an$ chill little #in$s ha$ %e&un to stir the lily.pa$s &i*in& a $epressin& air to the scene %ut to )au$ it seeme$ as if all Iature smile$+ 4ith the e&otism of lo*e she $i$ not percei*e that #hat she propose$ to as' 9eor&e to $o #as practically to fulfil the hum%le role of the hollo# tree in #hich lo*ers $ump letters to %e e<tracte$ laterD she $i$ not consi$er 9eor&e5s feelin&s at all+ "e ha$ offere$ to help her an$ this #as his -o%+ :he #orl$ is full of 9eor&es #hose tas' it is to han& a%out in the %ac'&roun$ an$ ma'e themsel*es uno%trusi*ely useful+ >he ha$ reache$ this conclusion #hen Al%ert #ho ha$ ta'en a short cut the more rapi$ly to accomplish his erran$ %urst upon her $ramatically from the heart of a rho$o$en$ron thic'et+ @)5la$yG 9entleman &i*e me this to &i*e yerGA )au$ rea$ the note+ It #as %rief an$ to the point+ @I am stayin& near the castle at a cotta&e they call Hthe one $o#n %y 3latt5s5+ It is a rather ne# re$.%ric' place+ Cou can easily fin$ it+ I shall %e #aitin& there if you #ant me+A It #as si&ne$ @:he )an in the Ca%A+ @Do you 'no# a cotta&e calle$ Hthe one $o#n %y 3latt5s5 Al%ertEA as'e$ )au$+ @Ces m5la$y+ It5s $o#n %y 3latt5s farm+ I see a chic'en 'ille$ there 4e$nes$ay #ee'+ Do you 'no# m5la$y after a chic'en5s Hea$ is cut orf it &oes runnin& lic'etty.splitEA )au$ shi*ere$ sli&htly+ Al%ert5s fresh youn& enthusiasms freFuently -arre$ upon her+ @I fin$ a frien$ of mine is stayin& there+ I #ant you to ta'e a note to him from me+A @Jery &oo$ m5la$y+A @An$ Al%ert2A @Ces m5la$yEA @3erhaps it #oul$ %e as #ell if you sai$ nothin& a%out this to any of your frien$s+A In 0or$ )arshmoreton5s stu$y a council of three #as sittin& in $e%ate+ :he su%-ect un$er $iscussion #as that other note #hich 9eor&e ha$ #ritten an$ so ill.a$*ise$ly entruste$ to one #hom he ha$ ta'en for a &uileless &ar$ener+ :he council consiste$ of 0or$ )arshmoreton loo'in& rather shameface$ his son 3ercy loo'in& s#ollen an$ serious an$ 0a$y Caroline !yn& loo'in& li'e a tra&e$y Fueen+ @:hisA 0or$ !elpher #as sayin& in a $etermine$ *oice @settles it+ =rom no# on )au$

must not %e allo#e$ out of our si&ht+A 0or$ )arshmoreton spo'e+ @I rather #ishA he sai$ re&retfully @I ha$n5t spo'en a%out the note+ I only mentione$ it %ecause I thou&ht you mi&ht thin' it amusin&+A @Amusin&GA 0a$y Caroline5s *oice shoo' the furniture+ @Amusin& that the fello# shoul$ ha*e han$e$ me of all people a letter for )au$ A e<plaine$ her %rother+ @I $on5t #ant to &et )au$ into trou%le+A @Cou are criminally #ea' A sai$ 0a$y Caroline se*erely+ @I really honestly %elie*e that you #ere capa%le of &i*in& the note to that poor mis&ui$e$ &irl an$ sayin& nothin& a%out it+A >he flushe$+ @:he insolence of the man comin& here an$ settlin& $o#n at the *ery &ates of the castleG If it #as any%o$y %ut this man 3latt #ho #as &i*in& him shelter I shoul$ insist on his %ein& turne$ out+ !ut that man 3latt #oul$ %e only too &la$ to 'no# that he is causin& us annoyance+A @NuiteGA sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ @Cou must &o to this man as soon as possi%le A continue$ 0a$y Caroline fi<in& her %rother #ith a comman$in& stare @an$ $o your %est to ma'e him see ho# a%omina%le his %eha*iour is+A @/h I coul$n5tGA plea$e$ the earl+ @I $on5t 'no# the fello#+ "e5$ thro# me out+A @Ionsense+ 9o at the *ery earliest opportunity+A @/h all ri&ht all ri&ht all ri&ht+ 4ell I thin' I5ll %e slippin& out to the rose &ar$en a&ain no#+ :here5s a clear hour %efore $inner+A :here #as a tap at the $oor+ Alice =ara$ay entere$ %earin& papers a smile of s#eet helpfulness on her pretty face+ @I hope$ I shoul$ fin$ you here 0or$ )arshmoreton+ Cou promise$ to &o o*er these notes #ith me the ones a%out the (sse< %ranch2A :he hunte$ peer loo'e$ as if he #ere a%out to $i*e throu&h the #in$o#+ @>ome other time some other time+ I2I ha*e important matters2A @/h if you5re %usy2A @/f course 0or$ )arshmoreton #ill %e $eli&hte$ to #or' on your notes )iss =ara$ay A sai$ 0a$y Caroline crisply+ @:a'e this chair+ 4e are -ust &oin&+A 0or$ )arshmoreton &a*e one #istful &lance throu&h the open #in$o#+ :hen he sat $o#n #ith a si&h an$ felt for his rea$in&.&lasses+

Chapter 1"
Cour true &olfer is a man #ho 'no#in& that life is short an$ perfection har$ to attain ne&lects no opportunity of practisin& his chosen sport allo#in& neither #in$ nor #eather nor any e<ternal influence to 'eep him from it+ :here is a story #ith an e<cellent moral lesson of a &olfer #hose #ife ha$ $etermine$ to lea*e him for e*er+ @4ill nothin& alter your $ecisionEA he says+ @4ill nothin& in$uce you to stayE 4ell then #hile you5re pac'in& I thin' I5ll &o out on the la#n an$ ru% up my puttin& a %it+A 9eor&e !e*an #as of this turn of min$+ "e mi&ht %e in lo*eD romance mi&ht ha*e seale$ him for her o#nD %ut that #as no reason for %lin$in& himself to the fact that his lon& &ame #as %oun$ to suffer if he ne&lecte$ to 'eep himself up to the mar'+ "is first act on arri*in& at !elpher *illa&e ha$ %een to ascertain #hether there #as a lin's in the nei&h%ourhoo$D an$ thither on the mornin& after his *isit to the castle an$ the $eli*ery of the t#o notes he repaire$+

At the hour of the $ay #hich he ha$ selecte$ the clu%.house #as empty an$ he ha$ -ust resi&ne$ himself to a solitary &ame #hen #ith a #hirr an$ a rattle a &rey racin&.car $ro*e up an$ from it emer&e$ the same lon& youn& man #hom a couple of $ays earlier he ha$ seen #ri&&le out from un$erneath the same machine+ It #as 8e&&ie !yn&5s ha%it also not to allo# anythin& e*en lo*e to interfere #ith &olfD an$ not e*en the prospect of han&in& a%out the castle &roun$s in the hope of catchin& a &limpse of Alice =ara$ay an$ e<chan&in& timorous #or$s #ith her ha$ %een enou&h to 'eep him from the lin's+ 8e&&ie sur*eye$ 9eor&e #ith a frien$ly eye+ "e ha$ a $im recollection of ha*in& seen him %efore some#here at some time or other an$ 8e&&ie ha$ the pleasin& $isposition #hich cause$ him to ran' any%o$y #hom he ha$ seen some#here at some time or other as a %osom frien$+ @"ulloG "ulloG "ulloGA he o%ser*e$+ @9oo$ mornin& A sai$ 9eor&e+ @4aitin& for some%o$yEA @Io+A @"o# a%out it thenE >hall #e sta&&er forthEA @Deli&hte$+A 9eor&e foun$ himself speculatin& upon 8e&&ie+ "e #as una%le to place him+ :hat he #as a frien$ of )au$ he 'ne# an$ &uesse$ that he #as also a resi$ent of the castle+ "e #oul$ ha*e li'e$ to Fuestion 8e&&ie to pro%e him to collect from him insi$e information as to the pro&ress of e*ents #ithin the castle #allsD %ut it is a peculiarity of &olf as of lo*e that it temporarily chan&es the natures of its *ictimsD an$ 8e&&ie a confirme$ %a%%ler off the lin's %ecame #hile in action a stern silent intent person his #hole %ein& centre$ on the &ame+ 4ith the e<ception of a casual remar' of a technical nature #hen he met 9eor&e on the *arious tees an$ an occasional e<pleti*e #hen thin&s #ent #ron& #ith his %all he esche#e$ con*ersation+ It #as not till the en$ of the roun$ that he %ecame himself a&ain+ @If I5$ 'no#n you #ere such hot stuff A he $eclare$ &enerously as 9eor&e hole$ his ei&hteenth putt from a $istance of ten feet @I5$ ha*e &ot you to &i*e me a stro'e or t#o+A @I #as on my &ame to$ay A sai$ 9eor&e mo$estly+ @>ome times I slice as if I #ere cuttin& %rea$ an$ can5t putt to hit a haystac'+A @0et me 'no# #hen one of those times comes alon& an$ I5ll ta'e you on a&ain+ I $on5t 'no# #hen I5*e seen anythin& fruitier than the #ay you &ot out of the %un'er at the fifteenth+ It remin$e$ me of a match I sa# %et#een2A 8e&&ie %ecame technical+ At the en$ of his o%ser*ations he clim%e$ into the &rey car+ @Can I $rop you any#hereEA @:han's A sai$ 9eor&e+ @If it5s not ta'in& you out your #ay+A @I5m stayin& at !elpher Castle+A @I li*e Fuite near there+ 3erhaps you5$ care to come in an$ ha*e a $rin' on your #ayEA @A ripe scheme A a&ree$ 8e&&ie :en minutes in the &rey car ate up the $istance %et#een the lin's an$ 9eor&e5s cotta&e+ 8e&&ie !yn& passe$ these minutes in the inter*als of elu$in& carts an$ foilin& the apparently suici$al intentions of some stray fo#ls in -er'y con*ersation on the su%-ect of his iron.shots #ith #hich he e<presse$ a $eep satisfaction+ @:oppin& little placeG A%solutelyGA #as the *er$ict he pronounce$ on the e<terior of the cotta&e as he follo#e$ 9eor&e in+ @I5*e often thou&ht it #oul$ %e a rather soun$ scheme

to settle $o#n in this sort of shanty an$ 'eep chic'ens an$ &ro# a honey coloure$ %ear$ an$ ha*e soup an$ -elly %rou&ht to you %y the *icar5s #ife an$ so forth+ Iothin& to #orry you then+ Do you li*e all alone hereEA 9eor&e #as %usy sFuirtin& seltBer into his &uest5s &lass+ @Ces+ )rs+ 3latt comes in an$ coo's for me+ :he farmer5s #ife ne<t $oor+A An e<clamation from the other cause$ him to loo' up+ 8e&&ie !yn& #as starin& at him #i$e.eye$+ @9reat >cottG )rs+ 3lattG :hen you5re the ChappieEA 9eor&e foun$ himself uneFual to the intellectual pressure of the con*ersation+ @:he ChappieEA @:he Chappie there5s all the ro# a%out+ :he mater #as tellin& me only this mornin& that you li*e$ here+A @Is there a ro# a%out meEA @Is there #hatGA 8e&&ie5s manner %ecame solicitous+ @I say my $ear ol$ sportsman I $on5t #ant to %e the %earer of %a$ ti$in&s an$ #hat not if you 'no# #hat I mean %ut $i$n5t you 'no# there #as a certain amount of an&ry passion risin& an$ so forth %ecause of youE At the castle I mean+ I $on5t #ant to seem to %e $iscussin& your pri*ate affairs an$ all that sort of thin& %ut #hat I mean isM 4ell you $on5t e<pect you can come char&in& in the #ay you ha*e #ithout touchin& the family on the ra# a %it+ :he $au&hter of the house falls in lo*e #ith youD the son of the house lan&uishes in cho'ey %ecause he has a ro# #ith you in 3icca$illyD an$ on top of all that you come here an$ camp out at the castle &atesG Iaturally the family are a %it pee*e$+ /nly natural ehE I mean to say #hatEA 9eor&e listene$ to this a$$ress in %e#il$erment+ )au$ in lo*e #ith himG It soun$e$ incre$i%le+ :hat he shoul$ lo*e her after their one meetin& #as a $ifferent thin& alto&ether+ :hat #as perfectly natural an$ in or$er+ !ut that he shoul$ ha*e ha$ the incre$i%le luc' to #in her affection+ :he thin& struc' him as &rotesFue an$ ri$iculous+ @In lo*e #ith meEA he crie$+ @4hat on earth $o you meanEA 8e&&ie5s %e#il$erment eFualle$ his o#n+ @4ell $ash it all ol$ top it surely isn5t ne#s to youE >he must ha*e tol$ you+ 4hy she tol$ meGA @:ol$ youE Am I &oin& ma$EA @A%solutelyG I mean a%solutely notG 0oo' here+A 8e&&ie hesitate$+ :he su%-ect #as $elicate+ !ut once starte$ it mi&ht as #ell %e procee$e$ #ith to some conclusion+ A fello# coul$n5t &o on tal'in& a%out his iron.shots after this -ust as if nothin& ha$ happene$+ :his #as the time for the layin& $o#n of car$s the openin& of hearts+ @I say you 'no# A he #ent on feelin& his #ay @you5ll pro%a%ly thin' it $euce$ rummy of me tal'in& li'e this+ 3erfect stran&er an$ #hat not+ Don5t e*en 'no# each other5s names+A @)ine5s !e*an if that5ll %e any help+A @:han's *ery much ol$ chap+ 9reat helpG )ine5s !yn&+ 8e&&ie !yn&+ 4ell as #e5re all pals here an$ the meetin&5s tile$ an$ so forth I5ll start %y sayin& that the mater is most $euce$ly set on my marryin& 0a$y )au$+ !een pals all our li*es you 'no#+ Chil$ren to&ether an$ all that sort of rot+ Io# there5s no%o$y I thin' a more cor'in& sportsman than )au$ if you 'no# #hat I mean %ut2this is #here the catch comes in2I5m most fri&htfully in lo*e #ith some%o$y else+ "opeless an$ all that sort of thin& %ut still there it is+ An$ all the #hile the mater %ehin$ me #ith a %ra$a#l sic'in& me on to propose to

)au$ #ho #oul$n5t ha*e me if I #ere the only fello# on earth+ Cou can5t ima&ine my $ear ol$ chap #hat a relief it #as to %oth of us #hen she tol$ me the other $ay that she #as in lo*e #ith you an$ #oul$n5t $ream of loo'in& at any%o$y else+ I tell you I #ent sin&in& a%out the place+A 9eor&e felt incline$ to imitate his e<cellent e<ample+ A %urst of son& #as the only a$eFuate e<pression of the moo$ of hea*enly happiness #hich this youn& man5s re*elations ha$ %rou&ht upon him+ :he #hole #orl$ seeme$ $ifferent+ 4in&s seeme$ to sprout from 8e&&ie5s shapely shoul$ers+ :he air #as fille$ #ith soft music+ (*en the #allpaper seeme$ mo$erately attracti*e+ "e mi<e$ himself a secon$ #his'y an$ so$a+ It #as the ne<t %est thin& to sin&in&+ @I see A he sai$+ It #as $ifficult to say anythin&+ 8e&&ie #as re&ar$in& him en*iously+ @I #ish I 'ne# ho# the $euce fello#s set a%out ma'in& a &irl fall in lo*e #ith them+ /ther chappies seem to $o it %ut I can5t e*en start+ >he seems to sort of &aBe throu&h me $on5t you 'no#+ >he 'in$ of loo's at me as if I #ere more to %e pitie$ than censure$ %ut as if she thou&ht I really ou&ht to $o somethin& a%out it+ /f course she5s a $e*ilish %rainy &irl an$ I5m a fearful chump+ )a'es it 'in$ of hopeless #hatEA 9eor&e in his ne#.%orn happiness foun$ a pleasure in encoura&in& a less luc'y mortal+ @Iot a %it+ 4hat you ou&ht to $o is to2A @CesEA sai$ 8e&&ie ea&erly+ 9eor&e shoo' his hea$+ @Io I $on5t 'no# A he sai$+ @Ior $o I $ash itGA sai$ 8e&&ie+ 9eor&e pon$ere$+ @It seems to me it5s purely a Fuestion of luc'+ (ither you5re luc'y or you5re not+ 0oo' at me for instance+ 4hat is there a%out me to ma'e a #on$erful &irl lo*e meEA @Iothin&G I see #hat you mean+ At least #hat I mean to say is2A @Io+ Cou #ere ri&ht the first time+ It5s all a Fuestion of luc'+ :here5s nothin& anyone can $o+A @I han& a%out a &oo$ $eal an$ &et in her #ay A sai$ 8e&&ie+ @>he5s al#ays trippin& o*er me+ I thou&ht that mi&ht help a %it+A @It mi&ht of course+A @!ut on the other han$ #hen #e $o meet I can5t thin' of anythin& to say+A @:hat5s %a$+A @Deuce$ funny thin&+ I5m not #hat you5$ call a silent sort of chappie %y nature+ !ut #hen I5m #ith her2I $on5t 'no#+ It5s rumGA "e $raine$ his &lass an$ rose+ @4ell I suppose I may as #ell %e sta&&erin&+ Don5t &et up+ "a*e another &ame one of these $ays #hatEA @>plen$i$+ Any time you li'e+A @4ell so lon&+A @9oo$.%ye+A 9eor&e &a*e himself up to &lo#in& thou&hts+ =or the first time in his life he seeme$ to %e *i*i$ly a#are of his o#n e<istence+ It #as as if he #ere some ne#ly.create$ thin&+ (*erythin& aroun$ him an$ e*erythin& he $i$ ha$ ta'en on a stran&e an$ no*el interest+ "e seeme$ to notice the tic'in& of the cloc' for the first time+ 4hen he raise$ his &lass the action ha$ a curious air of ne#ness+ All his senses #ere o$$ly alert+ "e coul$ e*en2

@"o# #oul$ it %e A enFuire$ 8e&&ie appearin& in the $oor#ay li'e part of a con-urin& tric'+ @If I &a*e her a flo#er or t#o e*ery no# an$ thenE ?ust thou&ht of it as I #as startin& the car+ >he5s fon$ of flo#ers+A @=ineGA sai$ 9eor&e heartily+ "e ha$ not hear$ a #or$+ :he alertness of sense #hich ha$ come to him #as accompanie$ %y a stran&e ina%ility to atten$ to other people5s speech+ :his #oul$ no $ou%t pass %ut mean#hile it ma$e him a poor listener+ @4ell it5s #orth tryin& A sai$ 8e&&ie+ @I5ll &i*e it a #hirl+ :oo$leooGA @9oo$.%ye+A @3ip.pipGA 8e&&ie #ith$re# an$ presently came the noise of the car startin&+ 9eor&e returne$ to his thou&hts+ :ime as #e un$erstan$ it ceases to e<ist for a man in such circumstances+ 4hether it #as a minute later or se*eral hours 9eor&e $i$ not 'no#D %ut presently he #as a#are of a small %oy stan$in& %esi$e him2a &ol$en.haire$ %oy #ith %lue eyes #ho #ore the uniform of a pa&e+ "e came out of his trance+ :his he reco&niBe$ #as the %oy to #hom he ha$ &i*en the note for )au$+ "e #as $ifferent from any other intru$er+ "e meant somethin& in 9eor&e5s scheme of thin&s+ @H,lloGA sai$ the youth+ @"ullo AlphonsoGA sai$ 9eor&e+ @)y name5s not Alphonso+A @4ell you %e *ery careful or it soon may %e+A @9ot a note for yer+ =rom 0i$y )or$+A @Cou5ll fin$ some ca'e an$ &in&er.ale in the 'itchen A sai$ the &rateful 9eor&e+ @9i*e it a trial+A @Iot HarfGA sai$ the striplin&+

Chapter 11
9eor&e opene$ the letter #ith trem%lin& an$ re*erent fin&ers+ Dear )r+ !e*an :han' you e*er so much for your note #hich Al%ert &a*e to me+ "o# *ery *ery 'in$M @"ey misterGA 9eor&e loo'e$ up testily+ :he %oy Al%ert ha$ reappeare$+ @4hat5s the matterE Can5t you fin$ the ca'eEA @I5*e foun$ the 'i'e A re-oine$ Al%ert a$$ucin& proof of the statement in the shape of a massi*e slice from #hich he too' a su%stantial %ite to assist thou&ht+ @!ut I can5t fin$ the &in&er ile+A 9eor&e #a*e$ him a#ay+ :his interruption at such a moment #as annoyin&+ @0oo' for it chil$ loo' for itG >niff after itG !ay on its trailG It5s some#here a%out+A @4ri5GA mum%le$ Al%ert throu&h the ca'e+ "e flic'e$ a crum% off his chee' #ith a ton&ue #hich #oul$ ha*e e<cite$ the frien$ly interest of an ant.eater+ @I li'e &in&er.ile+A @4ell &o an$ %athe in it+A @4ri5GA

9eor&e returne$ to his letter+ Dear )r+ !e*an :han' you e*er so much for your note #hich Al%ert &a*e to me+ "o# *ery *ery 'in$ of you to come here li'e this an$ to say M @"ey misterGA @9oo$ "ea*ensGA 9eor&e &lare$+ @4hat5s the matter no#E "a*en5t you foun$ that &in&er.ale yetEA @I5*e foun$ the &in&er.ile ri&ht enou&h %ut I can5t fin$ the thin&+A @:he thin&E 4hat thin&EA @:he thin&+ :he thin& #ot you open &in&er.ile #ith+A @/h you mean the thin&E It5s in the mi$$le $ra#er of the $resser+ ,se your eyes my %oyGA @4ri5@+ 9eor&e &a*e an o*er#rou&ht si&h an$ %e&an the letter a&ain+ Dear )r+ !e*an :han' you e*er so much for your note #hich Al%ert &a*e to me+ "o# *ery *ery 'in$ of you to come here li'e this an$ to say that you #oul$ help me+ An$ ho# cle*er of you to fin$ me after I #as so secreti*e that $ay in the ca%G Cou really can help me if you are #illin&+ It5s too lon& to e<plain in a note %ut I am in &reat trou%le an$ there is no%o$y e<cept you to help me+ I #ill e<plain e*erythin& #hen I see you+ :he $ifficulty #ill %e to slip a#ay from home+ :hey are #atchin& me e*ery moment I5m afrai$+ !ut I #ill try my har$est to see you *ery soon+ Cours sincerely Maud Marsh ?ust for a moment it must %e confesse$ the tone of the letter $ampe$ 9eor&e+ "e coul$ not ha*e sai$ -ust #hat he ha$ e<pecte$ %ut certainly 8e&&ie5s re*elations ha$ prepare$ him for somethin& rather #armer somethin& more in the style in #hich a &irl #oul$ #rite to the man she lo*e$+ :he ne<t moment ho#e*er he sa# ho# foolish any such e<pectation ha$ %een+ "o# on earth coul$ any reasona%le man e<pect a &irl to let herself &o at this sta&e of the procee$in&sE It #as for him to ma'e the first mo*e+ Iaturally she #asn5t &oin& to re*eal her feelin&s until he ha$ re*eale$ his+ 9eor&e raise$ the letter to his lips an$ 'isse$ it *i&orously+ @"ey misterGA 9eor&e starte$ &uiltily+ :he %lush of shame o*ersprea$ his chee's+ :he room seeme$ to echo #ith the soun$ of that fatuous 'iss+ @;itty ;itty ;ittyGA he calle$ snappin& his fin&ers an$ repeatin& the incriminatin& noise+ @I #as -ust callin& my cat A he e<plaine$ #ith $i&nity+ @Cou $i$n5t see her in there $i$ youEA Al%ert5s %lue eyes met his in a $erisi*e stare+ :he li$ of the left one fluttere$+ It #as %ut too plain that Al%ert #as not con*ince$+ @A little %lac' cat #ith #hite shirt.front A %a%%le$ 9eor&e perse*erin&ly+ @>he5s usually either here or there or2or some#here+ ;itty ;itty ;ittyGA

:he cupi$5s %o# of Al%ert5s mouth parte$+ "e uttere$ one #or$+ @>#an'GA :here #as a tense silence+ 4hat Al%ert #as thin'in& one cannot say+ :he thou&hts of Couth are lon& lon& thou&hts+ 4hat 9eor&e #as thin'in& #as that the late ;in& "ero$ ha$ %een un-ustly %lame$ for a policy #hich ha$ %een %oth statesmanli'e an$ in the interests of the pu%lic+ "e #as %lamin& ma#'ish sentimentality of the mo$em le&al system #hich ran's the e*isceration an$ secret %urial of small %oys as a crime+ @4hat $o you meanEA @Cou 'no# #hat I mean+A @I5*e a &oo$ min$ to2A Al%ert #a*e$ a $eprecatin& han$+ @It5s all ri&ht mister+ I5m yer frien$+A @Cou are are youE 4ell $on5t let it a%out+ I5*e &ot a reputation to 'eep up+A @I5m yer frien$ I tell you+ I can help yer+ I #ant to help yerGA 9eor&e5s *ie#s on infantici$e un$er#ent a sli&ht mo$ification+ After all he felt much must %e e<cuse$ to Couth+ Couth thin's it funny to see a man 'issin& a letter+ It is not funny of courseD it is %eautifulD %ut it5s no &oo$ ar&uin& the point+ 0et Couth ha*e its sni&&er pro*i$e$ after it has finishe$ sni&&erin& it inten$s to %uc'le to an$ %e of practical assistance+ Al%ert as an ally #as not to %e $espise$+ 9eor&e $i$ not 'no# #hat Al%ert5s $uties as a pa&e.%oy #ere %ut they seeme$ to %e of a nature that &a*e him plenty of leisure an$ free$omD an$ a frien$ly resi$ent of the castle #ith leisure an$ free$om #as -ust #hat he nee$e$+ @:hat5s *ery &oo$ of you A he sai$ t#istin& his reluctant features into a fairly %ene*olent smile+ @I can HelpGA persiste$ Al%ert+ @9ot a ci&arootEA @Do you smo'e chil$EA @4hen I &et Hol$ of a ci&aroot I $o+A @I5m sorry I can5t o%li&e you+ I $on5t smo'e ci&arettes+A @:hen I5ll Ha*e to Ha*e one of my o#n A sai$ Al%ert moo$ily+ "e reache$ into the mysteries of his poc'et an$ pro$uce$ a piece of strin& a 'nife the #ish%one of a fo#l t#o mar%les a crushe$ ci&arette an$ a match+ 8eplacin& the strin& the 'nife the #ish%one an$ the mar%les he i&nite$ the match a&ainst the ti&htest part of his person an$ lit the ci&arette+ @I can help yer+ I 'no# the ropes+A @An$ smo'e them A sai$ 9eor&e #incin&+ @3ar$onEA @Iothin&+A Al%ert too' an en-oya%le #hiff+ @I 'no# all a%out yer+A @Cou $oEA @Cou an$ 0i$y )or$+A @/h you $o $o youEA @I #as listenin& at the 'ey.5ole #hile the ro# #as &oin5 on+A @:here #as a ro# #as thereEA A faint smile of retrospecti*e en-oyment lit up Al%ert5s face+ @An orful ro#G >houtin5 an$ yellin5 an$ cussin5 all o*er the shop+ A%out you an$ 0i$y )au$+A

@An$ you $ran' it in ehEA @3ar$onEA @I say you listene$EA @Iot Harf I listene$+ >eein& I5$ -ust $ra#n you in the s#eepsti'e of course I listene$2 not HarfGA 9eor&e $i$ not follo# him here+ @:he s#eepsti'eE 4hat5s a s#eepsti'eEA @4hy a thin& you puts names in Hats an$ $ra# Hem an$ the one that &ets the #innin& name #ins the money+A @/h you mean a s#eepsta'eGA @:hat5s #ot I sai$2a s#eepsti'e+A 9eor&e #as still puBBle$+ @!ut I $on5t un$erstan$+ "o# $o you mean you $re# me in a s#eepsti'e2I mean a s#eepsta'eE 4hat s#eepsta'eEA @Do#n in the ser*ants5 Hall+ ;e&&s the %utler starte$ it+ I Hear$ Him say he al#ays Ha$ one e*ery place He #as in as a %utlerL least#ays #hene*er there #as any $orters of the House+ :here5s al#ays a chance #hen there5s a House.party of one of the $orters of the House &ettin5 marrie$ to one of the &ents in the party so ;e&&s He puts all of the &ents5 names in an Hat an$ you pay fi*e shillin&s for a chance an$ the one that $ra#s the #innin& name &ets the money+ An$ if the $orter of the House $on5t &et marrie$ that time the money5s put a#ay an$ a$$e$ to the pool for the ne<t House.party+A 9eor&e &aspe$+ :his re*elation of life %elo# stairs in the stately homes of (n&lan$ too' his %reath a#ay+ :hen astonishment &a*e #ay to in$i&nation+ @Do you mean to tell me that you2you #orms2ma$e 0a$y )au$ the2the priBe of a s#eepsta'eGA Al%ert #as hurt+ @4ho5re yer callin& #ormsEA 9eor&e percei*e$ the nee$ of $iplomacy+ After all much $epen$e$ on this chil$5s &oo$#ill+ @I #as referrin& to the %utler2#hat5s his name2;e&&s+A @H( ain5t a #orm+ H(5s a serpint+A Al%ert $re# at his ci&arette+ "is %ro# $ar'ene$+ @H( $oes the $ra#in& ;e&&s $oes an$ I5$ li'e to 'no# Ho# it is He al#ays mana&es to cop the fa*5ritGA Al%ert chuc'le$+ @!ut this time I $one him proper+ H( $i$n5t #ant me in the thin& at all+ >ai$ I #as too youn&+ :rie$ to $o the $ra#in5 #ithout me+ HClip that %oy one si$e of the Hea$G5 He says Han$ turn Him outG5 He says+ I says HCus you #illG5 I says+ HAn$ #ot price me &oin5 to His lor$ship an$ %lo#in& the &affE5 I says+ H( says H/h orl ri&htG5 He says+ HA*e it yer o#n #ayG5 He says+ H4here5s yer fi*e shillin&sE5 He says+ @(re yer areG5 I says+ H/h *ery #ell 5 He says+ H!ut you5ll Ha*e to $ra# last 5 He says H%ein5 the youn&est+5 4ell they starte$ $ra#in& the names an$ of course ;e&&s Has to $ra# )r+ !yn&+A @/h he $re# )r+ !yn& $i$ heEA @Cus+ An$ e*eryone 'ne# 8e&&ie #as the fa*5rit+ >mile$ all o*er his fat face the ol$ serpint $i$G An$ #hen it come to my turn He says to me H>orry (l%ertG5 He says H%ut there ain5t no more names+ :hey5*e &i*e outG5 H/h they Ha*e Ha*e theyE5 I says H4ell

#ot5s the matter #ith &i*in& a fello# a sportin& chanceE5 I says+ @/# $o you meanE5 He says+ H4hy #rite me out a tic'et mar'e$ @)r+ O+A 5 I says+ H:hen if Her li$yship marries anyone not in the House.party I copG5 H/rl ri&ht 5 He says H%ut you 'no# the con$itions of this Here s#eep+ Iothin5 $on5t count only #ot ti'es plice $urin& the t#o #ee's of the House.party 5 He says+ H/rl ri&ht 5 I says+ H4rite me tic'et+ It5s a fair sportin5 *enture+5 >o He #rites me out me tic'et #ith H)r+ O+5 on it an$ I says to them all I says HI5$ li'e to Ha*e #itnesses5 I says Hto this Here thin&+ Do all you &ents a&ree that if anyone not in the House.party an$ Hoo5s name ain5t on one of the other tic'ets marries Her li$yship I &et the poolE5 I says+ :hey all says that5s ri&ht an$ then I says to Hem all strai&ht out I says HI Happen to 'no#5 I says Hthat Her li$yship is in lo*e #ith a &ent that5s not in the party at all+ An American &ent 5 I says+ :hey #oul$n5t %elie*e it at first %ut #hen ;e&&s Ha$ put t#o an$ t#o to&ether an$ thou&ht of one or t#o thin&s that Ha$ Happene$ He turne$ as #hite as a sheet an$ sai$ it #as a s#in$le an$ #ante$ the $ra#in5 $one o*er a&ain %ut the others says HIo5 they says Hit5s Fuite fair 5 they says an$ one of Hem offere$ me ten %o% slap out for my tic'et+ !ut I stuc' to it I $i$+ An$ that A conclu$e$ Al%ert thro#in& the ci&arette into the fire.place -ust in time to pre*ent a scorche$ fin&er @that5s #hy I5m &oin& to Help yerGA :here is pro%a%ly no attitu$e of min$ har$er for the a*era&e man to maintain than that of aloof $isappro*al+ 9eor&e #as an a*era&e man an$ $urin& the $e&ra$in& recital -ust conclu$e$ he ha$ foun$ himself slippin&+ At first he ha$ %een re*olte$ then in spite of himself amuse$ an$ no# #hen all the facts #ere %efore him he coul$ in$uce his min$ to thin' of nothin& else than his &oo$ fortune in securin& as an ally one #ho appeare$ to com%ine a precocious intelli&ence #ith a helpful lac' of scruple+ 4ar is #ar an$ lo*e is lo*e an$ in each the practical man inclines to $eman$ from his fello#.#or'ers the punch rather than a lofty soul+ A pa&e %oy replete #ith the finer feelin&s #oul$ ha*e %een useless in this crisis+ Al%ert #ho seeme$ on the e*i$ence of a short %ut sufficient acFuaintance to %e a la$ #ho #oul$ not reco&niBe the finer feelin&s if they #ere han$e$ to him on a plate #ith #atercress roun$ them promise$ to %e in*alua%le+ >omethin& in his manner tol$ 9eor&e that the chil$ #as %urstin& #ith schemes for his %enefit+ @"a*e some more ca'e Al%ert A he sai$ in&ratiatin&ly+ :he %oy shoo' his hea$+ @Do A ur&e$ 9eor&e+ @?ust a little slice+A @:here ain5t no little slice A replie$ Al%ert #ith re&ret+ @I5*e ate it all+A "e si&he$ an$ resume$+ @I &otta schemeGA @=ineG 4hat is itEA Al%ert 'nitte$ his %ro#s+ @It5s li'e this+ Cou #ant to see Her li$yship %ut you can5t come to the castle an$ she can5t come to you2not #ith Her fat %rother $o&&in& of Her footsteps+ :hat5s it ain5t itE /r am I a liarEA 9eor&e hastene$ to reassure him+ @:hat is e<actly it+ 4hat5s the ans#erEA @I5ll tell yer #ot you can $o+ :here5s the %i& %all toni&ht Hcos of its %ein5 HIs Ii%s5 comin5.of.a&e tomorro#+ All the county5ll %e Here+A @Cou thin' I coul$ slip in an$ %e ta'en for a &uestEA Al%ert snorte$ contempt+ @Io I $on5t thin' nothin5 of the 'in$ not %ein5 a fat.hea$+A 9eor&e apolo&iBe$+ @!ut

#ot you coul$ $o5s this+ I Hear$ ;e&&s tor'in to the House.'eeper a%out Ha*in5 to &et in a lot of temp5y #aiters to Help out for the ni&ht2A 9eor&e reache$ for#ar$ an$ patte$ Al%ert on the hea$+ @Don5t mess my Hair no# A #arne$ that youth col$ly+ @Al%ert you5re one of the &reat thin'ers of the a&e+ I coul$ &et into the castle as a #aiter an$ you coul$ tell 0a$y )au$ I #as there an$ #e coul$ arran&e a meetin&+ )achia*elli coul$n5t ha*e thou&ht of anythin& smoother+A @)ac 4hoEA @/ne of your ancestors+ 9reat schemer in his $ay+ !ut one moment+A @Io# #hatEA @"o# am I to &et en&a&e$E "o# $o I &et the -o%EA @:hat5s orl ri&ht+ I5ll tell the House'eeper you5re my cousinL %een a #aiter in America at the %est restauron&s25ome for a Holi$ay %ut5ll come in for one ni&ht to o%li&e+ :hey5ll pay yer a Fui$+A @I5ll han$ it o*er to you+A @?ust A sai$ Al%ert appro*in&ly @#ot I #as &oin5 to su&&est myself+A @:hen I5ll lea*e all the arran&ements to you+A @Cou5$ %etter if you $on5t #ant to mi'e a mess of e*erythin&+ All you5*e &ot to $o is to come to the ser*ants5 entrance at ei&ht sharp toni&ht an$ say you5re my cousin+A @:hat5s an a#ful thin& to as' anyone to say+A @3ar$onEA @Iothin&GA sai$ 9eor&e+

Chapter 12
:he &reat %all in honour of 0or$ !elpher5s comin&.of.a&e #as at its hei&ht+ :he reporter of the !elpher Intelli&encer an$ =armers5 9ui$e #ho #as present in his official capacity an$ ha$ %een allo#e$ %y %utler ;e&&s to ta'e a peep at the scene throu&h a si$e.$oor -ustly o%ser*e$ in his account of the procee$in&s ne<t $ay that the Htout ensem%le #as fairyli'e5 an$ $escri%e$ the company as Ha &ala<y of fair #omen an$ %ra*e men5+ :he floor #as cro#$e$ #ith all that #as %est an$ no%lest in the countyD so that a half.%ric' hurle$ at any &i*en moment must infalli%ly ha*e spilt %lue %loo$+ 3eers steppe$ on the toes of 'ni&htsD honora%les %umpe$ into the spines of %aronets+ 3ro%a%ly the only title$ person in the #hole of the surroun$in& country #ho #as not playin& his part in the &litterin& scene #as 0or$ )arshmoretonD #ho on $isco*erin& that his pri*ate stu$y ha$ %een con*erte$ into a cloa'room ha$ retire$ to %e$ #ith a pipe an$ a copy of 8oses 8e$ an$ 8oses 4hite %y (mily Ann )ac'intosh 63op&oo$ Crooly P Co+7 #hich he #as to $isco*er2after he #as %et#een the sheets an$ it #as too late to repair the error2#as not as he ha$ suppose$ a treatise on his fa*ourite ho%%y %ut a no*el of stearine sentimentality $ealin& #ith the a$*entures of a pure youn& (n&lish &irl an$ an artist name$ Clau$e+ 9eor&e from the sha$e$ seclusion of a &allery loo'e$ $o#n upon the %rilliant thron& #ith impatience+ It seeme$ to him that he ha$ %een $oin& this all his life+ :he no*elty of the e<perience ha$ lon& since cease$ to $i*ert him+ It #as all -ust li'e the secon$ act of an ol$.fashione$ musical come$y 6Act :#o1 :he !allroom 9rantchester :o#ers1 /ne 4ee' 0ater72a resem%lance #hich #as hei&htene$ for him %y the fact that the %an$ ha$

more than once playe$ $ea$ an$ %urie$ melo$ies of his o#n composition of #hich he ha$ #earie$ a full ei&hteen months %ac'+ A complete a%sence of o%stacles ha$ atten$e$ his intrusion into the castle+ A %rief inter*ie# #ith a motherly ol$ la$y #hom e*en Al%ert seeme$ to treat #ith respect an$ #ho it appeare$ #as )rs+ Di&%y the house.'eeperD follo#e$ %y an e*en %riefer encounter #ith ;e&&s 6fussy an$ irrita%le #ith responsi%ility an$ e*en #hile tal'in& to 9eor&e carryin& on t#o other con*ersations on topics of the moment7 an$ he #as past the censors an$ free for one ni&ht only to a$$ his presence to the chosen insi$e the #alls of !elpher+ "is $uties #ere to stan$ in this &allery an$ #ith the assistance of one of the mai$s to minister to the comfort of such of the $ancers as shoul$ use it as a sittin&.out place+ Ione ha$ so far ma$e their appearance the superior attractions of the main floor ha*in& e<ercise$ a &reat appealD an$ for the past hour 9eor&e ha$ %een alone #ith the mai$ an$ his thou&hts+ :he mai$ ha*in& as'e$ 9eor&e if he 'ne# her cousin =ran' #ho ha$ %een in America nearly a year an$ ha*in& recei*e$ a reply in the ne&ati*e seeme$ to %e $isappointe$ in him an$ to lose interest an$ ha$ not spo'en for t#enty minutes+ 9eor&e scanne$ the approaches to the %alcony for a si&ht of Al%ert as the ship#rec'e$ mariner scans the horiBon for the passin& sail+ It #as ine*ita%le he suppose$ this #aitin&+ It #oul$ %e $ifficult for )au$ to slip a#ay e*en for a moment on such a ni&ht+ @I say la$$ie #oul$ you min$ &ettin& me a lemona$eEA 9eor&e #as &aBin& o*er the %alcony #hen the *oice spo'e %ehin$ him an$ the muscles of his %ac' stiffene$ as he reco&niBe$ its &enial note+ :his #as one of the thin&s he ha$ prepare$ himself for %ut no# that it ha$ happene$ he felt a #a*e of sta&e.fri&ht such as he ha$ only once e<perience$ %efore in his life2on the occasion #hen he ha$ %een youn& enou&h an$ ine<perience$ enou&h to ta'e a curtain.call on a first ni&ht+ 8e&&ie !yn& #as frien$ly an$ #oul$ not #ilfully %etray himD %ut 8e&&ie #as also a %a%%ler #ho coul$ not %e truste$ to 'eep thin&s to himself+ It #as necessary he percei*e$ to ta'e a stron& line from the start an$ con*ince 8e&&ie that any li'eness #hich the latter mi&ht suppose that he $etecte$ %et#een his companion of that afternoon an$ the #aiter of toni&ht e<iste$ only in his heate$ ima&ination+ As 9eor&e turne$ 8e&&ie5s pleasant face pin' #ith healthful e<ercise an$ 0or$ )arshmoreton5s finest !ollin&er lost most of its colour+ "is eyes an$ mouth opene$ #i$er+ :he fact is 8e&&ie #as sha'en+ All throu&h the earlier part of the e*enin& he ha$ %een se$ulously primin& himself #ith stimulants #ith a *ie# to amassin& enou&h ner*e to propose to Alice =ara$ay1 an$ no# that he ha$ $ra#n her a#ay from the thron& to this seclu$e$ noo' an$ #as a%out to put his fortune to the test a horri%le fear s#ept o*er him that he ha$ o*er$one it+ "e #as ha*in& optical illusions+ @9oo$ 9o$GA 8e&&ie loosene$ his collar an$ pulle$ himself to&ether+ @4oul$ you min$ ta'in& a &lass of lemona$e to the la$y in %lue sittin& on the settee o*er there %y the statue A he sai$ carefully+ "e %ri&htene$ up a little+ @3retty &oo$ thatG Iot a%solutely a test sentence perhaps li'e H:ruly rural5 or H:he intricacies of the !ritish Constitution5+ !ut ne*ertheless no mean feat+A @I sayGA he continue$ after a pause+ @>irEA @Cou ha*en5t e*er seen me %efore %y any chance if you 'no# #hat I mean ha*e youEA

@Io sir+A @Cou ha*en5t a %rother or anythin& of that shape or or$er ha*e you noEA @Io sir+ I ha*e often #ishe$ I ha$+ I ou&ht to ha*e spo'en to father a%out it+ =ather coul$ ne*er $eny me anythin&+A 8e&&ie %lin'e$+ "is mis&i*in& returne$+ (ither his ears li'e his eyes #ere playin& him tric's or else this #aiter.chappie #as tal'in& pure $ri*el+ @4hat5s thatEA @>irEA @4hat $i$ you sayEA @I sai$ HIo sir I ha*e no %rother5+A @Di$n5t you say somethin& elseEA @Io sir+A @4hatEA @Io sir+A 8e&&ie5s #orst suspicions #ere confirme$+ @9oo$ 9o$GA he muttere$+ @:hen I amGA )iss =ara$ay #hen he -oine$ her on the settee #ante$ an e<planation+ @4hat #ere you tal'in& to that man a%out )r+ !yn&E Cou seeme$ to %e ha*in& a *ery interestin& con*ersation+A @I #as as'in& him if he ha$ a %rother+A )iss =ara$ay &lance$ Fuic'ly at him+ >he ha$ ha$ a feelin& for some time $urin& the e*enin& that his manner ha$ %een stran&e+ @A %rotherE 4hat ma$e you as' him thatEA @"e2I mean2that is to say2#hat I mean is he loo'e$ the sort of chap #ho mi&ht ha*e a %rother+ 0ots of those fello#s ha*eGA Alice =ara$ay5s face too' on a motherly loo'+ >he #as fon$er of 8e&&ie than that lo*e. sic' youth suppose$ an$ %y sheer acci$ent he ha$ stum%le$ on the ri&ht roa$ to her consi$eration+ Alice =ara$ay #as one of those &irls #hose $ream it is to %e a ministerin& an&el to some chosen man to %e a &oo$ influence to him an$ raise him to an appreciation of no%ler thin&s+ "itherto 8e&&ie5s personality ha$ seeme$ to her a&reea%le %ut ne&ati*e+ A positi*e *ice li'e o*er.in$ul&ence in alcohol altere$ him completely+ It &a*e him a si&nificance+ @I tol$ him to &et you a lemona$e A sai$ 8e&&ie+ @"e seems to %e ta'in& his time a%out it+ "iGA 9eor&e approache$ $eferentially+ @>irEA @4here5s that lemona$eEA @0emona$e sirEA @Di$n5t I as' you to %rin& this la$y a &lass of lemona$eEA @I $i$ not un$erstan$ you to $o so sir+A @!ut 9reat >cottG 4hat #ere #e chattin& a%out thenEA @Cou #ere tellin& me a $i*ertin& story a%out an Irishman #ho lan$e$ in Ie# Cor' loo'in& for #or' sir+ Cou #oul$ li'e a &lass of lemona$e sirE Jery &oo$ sir+A Alice place$ a han$ &ently on 8e&&ie5s arm+ @Don5t you thin' you ha$ %etter lie $o#n for a little an$ rest )r+ !yn&E I5m sure it #oul$ $o you &oo$+A

:he solicitous note in her *oice ma$e 8e&&ie Fui*er li'e a -elly+ "e ha$ ne*er 'no#n her spea' li'e that %efore+ =or a moment he #as incline$ to lay %are his soulD %ut his ner*e #as %ro'en+ "e $i$ not #ant her to mista'e the outpourin& of a stron& man5s heart for the irresponsi%le ra*in&s of a too hearty $iner+ It #as one of 0ife5s ironies+ "ere he #as for the first time all 'eye$ up to &o ri&ht ahea$ an$ he coul$n5t $o it+ @It5s the heat of the room A sai$ Alice+ @>hall #e &o an$ sit outsi$e on the terraceE Ie*er min$ a%out the lemona$e+ I5m not really thirsty+A 8e&&ie follo#e$ her li'e a lam%+ :he prospect of the cool ni&ht air #as &rateful+ @:hat A murmure$ 9eor&e as he #atche$ them $epart @ou&ht to hol$ you for a #hileGA "e percei*e$ Al%ert hastenin& to#ar$s him+

Chapter 13
Al%ert #as in a hurry+ "e s'imme$ o*er the carpet li'e a #ater.%eetle+ @Nuic'GA he sai$+ "e cast a &lance at the mai$ 9eor&e5s co.#or'er+ >he #as rea$in& a no*elette #ith her %ac' turne$+ @:ell Her you5ll %e %ac' in fi*e minutes A sai$ Al%ert -er'in& a thum%+ @,nnecessary+ >he #on5t notice my a%sence+ (*er since she $isco*ere$ that I ha$ ne*er met her cousin =ran' in America I ha*e meant nothin& in her life+A @:hen come on+A @4hereEA @I5ll sho# you+A :hat it #as not the nearest an$ most $irect route #hich they too' to the trystin&.place 9eor&e %ecame a#are after he ha$ follo#e$ his youn& &ui$e throu&h $oors an$ up stairs an$ $o#n stairs an$ ha$ at last come to a halt in a room to #hich the soun$ of the music penetrate$ %ut faintly+ "e reco&niBe$ the room+ "e ha$ %een in it %efore+ It #as the same room #here he an$ !illie Dore ha$ listene$ to ;e&&s tellin& the story of 0or$ 0eonar$ an$ his leap+ :hat #in$o# there he remem%ere$ no# opene$ on to the *ery %alcony from #hich the historic 0eonar$ ha$ $one his spectacular $i*e+ :hat it shoul$ %e the scene of this other secret meetin& struc' 9eor&e as appropriate+ :he coinci$ence appeale$ to him+ Al%ert *anishe$+ 9eor&e too' a $eep %reath+ Io# that the moment ha$ arri*e$ for #hich he ha$ #aite$ so lon& he #as a#are of a return of that feelin& of sta&e.fri&ht #hich ha$ come upon him #hen he hear$ 8e&&ie !yn&5s *oice+ :his sort of thin& it must %e remem%ere$ #as not in 9eor&e5s usual line+ "is ha$ %een a Fuiet an$ une*entful life an$ the only e<citin& thin& #hich in his recollection ha$ e*er happene$ to him pre*ious to the $ramatic entry of 0a$y )au$ into his ta<i.ca% that $ay in 3icca$illy ha$ occurre$ at colle&e nearly ten years %efore #hen a festi*e room.mate2no $ou%t #ith the %est moti*es2ha$ place$ a )e<ican horne$ toa$ in his %e$ on the ni&ht of the Cale foot%all &ame+ A li&ht footstep soun$e$ outsi$e an$ the room #hirle$ roun$ 9eor&e in a manner #hich if it ha$ happene$ to 8e&&ie !yn& #oul$ ha*e cause$ that in-u$icious $rin'er to a%an$on the ha%its of a lifetime+ 4hen the furniture ha$ returne$ to its place an$ the ru& ha$ cease$ to spin )au$ #as stan$in& %efore him+ Iothin& is har$er to remem%er than a once.seen face+ It ha$ cause$ 9eor&e a &oo$ $eal

of $istress an$ incon*enience that try as he mi&ht he coul$ not con-ure up anythin& more than a *a&ue *ision of #hat the only &irl in the #orl$ really loo'e$ li'e+ "e ha$ carrie$ a#ay #ith him from their meetin& in the ca% only a confuse$ recollection of eyes that shone an$ a mouth that cur*e$ in a smileD an$ the %rief moment in #hich he #as a%le to refresh his memory #hen he foun$ her in the lane #ith 8e&&ie !yn& an$ the %ro'en. $o#n car ha$ not %een enou&h to a$$ $efiniteness+ :he conseFuence #as that )au$ came upon him no# #ith the stunnin& effect of %eauty seen for the first time+ "e &aspe$+ In that $aBBlin& %all.$ress #ith the flush of $ancin& on her chee's an$ the li&ht of $ancin& in her eyes she #as so much more #on$erful than any picture of her #hich memory ha$ %een a%le to pro$uce for his inspection that it #as as if he ha$ ne*er seen her %efore+ (*en her %rother 3ercy a stern critic #here his nearest an$ $earest #ere concerne$ ha$ a$mitte$ on meetin& her in the $ra#in&.room %efore $inner that that particular $ress suite$ )au$+ It #as a shimmerin& $ream.thin& of rose.lea*es an$ moon.%eams+ :hat at least #as ho# it struc' 9eor&eD a $ressma'er #oul$ ha*e foun$ a lon&er an$ less romantic $escription for it+ !ut that $oes not matter+ 4hoe*er #ishes for a col$ an$ technical catalo&ue of the stuffs #hich #ent to ma'e up the picture that $epri*e$ 9eor&e of speech may consult the files of the !elpher Intelli&encer an$ =armers5 9ui$e an$ rea$ the report of the e$itor5s #ife #ho @$oesA the $resses for the Intelli&encer un$er the pen. name of @!ir$ie !ri&ht.(yeA+ As far as 9eor&e #as concerne$ the thin& #as ma$e of rose.lea*es an$ moon.%eams+ 9eor&e as I say #as $epri*e$ of speech+ :hat any &irl coul$ possi%ly loo' so %eautiful #as enou&h to paralyse his facultiesD %ut that this ethereal %ein& strai&ht from =airylan$ coul$ ha*e stoope$ to lo*e him2him2an earthy %rute #ho #ore soc'.suspen$ers an$ $ran' coffee for %rea'fast M that #as #hat ro%%e$ 9eor&e of the po#er to articulate+ "e coul$ $o nothin& %ut loo' at her+ =rom the "ills of =airylan$ soft music came+ /r if #e must %e e<act )au$ spo'e+ @I coul$n5t &et a#ay %eforeGA :hen she stoppe$ short an$ $arte$ to the $oor listenin&+ @4as that some%o$y comin&E I ha$ to cut a $ance #ith )r+ 3lummer to &et here an$ I5m so afrai$ he mayMA "e ha$+ A moment later it #as only too e*i$ent that this #as precisely #hat )r+ 3lummer ha$ $one+ :here #as a footstep on the stairs a hea*y footstep this time an$ from outsi$e the *oice of the pursuer ma$e itself hear$+ @/h there you are 0a$y )au$G I #as loo'in& for you+ :his is our $ance+A 9eor&e $i$ not 'no# #ho )r+ 3lummer #as+ "e $i$ not #ant to 'no#+ "is only thou&ht re&ar$in& )r+ 3lummer #as a passionate realiBation of the superfluity of his e<istence+ It is the presence on the &lo%e of these 3lummers that $elays the comin& of the )illennium+ "is stunne$ min$ leape$ into su$$en acti*ity+ "e must not %e foun$ here that #as certain+ 4aiters #ho ram%le at lar&e a%out a feu$al castle an$ are $isco*ere$ in con*ersation #ith the $au&hter of the house e<cite comment+ An$ con*ersely $au&hters of the house #ho tal' in seclu$e$ rooms #ith #aiters also fin$ e<planations necessary+ "e must #ith$ra#+ "e must #ith$ra# Fuic'ly+ An$ as a &esture from )au$ in$icate$ the #ith$ra#al must %e effecte$ throu&h the french #in$o# openin& on the %alcony+ (stimatin& the $istance that separate$ him from the approachin& 3lummer at three stairs 2the *oice ha$ come from %elo#2an$ a lan$in& the space of time allotte$ to him %y a

hustlin& =ate for $isappearin& #as some four secon$s+ Insi$e t#o an$ half the french #in$o# ha$ opene$ an$ close$ an$ 9eor&e #as out un$er the stars #ith the cool #in$s of the ni&ht playin& on his heate$ forehea$+ "e ha$ no# time for me$itation+ :here are fe# situations #hich pro*i$e more scope for me$itation than that of the man penne$ up on a small %alcony a consi$era%le $istance from the &roun$ #ith his only a*enue of retreat cut off %ehin$ him+ >o 9eor&e me$itate$+ =irst he muse$ on 3lummer+ "e thou&ht some har$ thou&hts a%out 3lummer+ :hen he %roo$e$ on the un'in$ness of a fortune #hich ha$ &rante$ him the opportunity of this meetin& #ith )au$ only to snatch it a#ay almost %efore it ha$ %e&un+ "e #on$ere$ ho# lon& the late 0or$ 0eonar$ ha$ %een permitte$ to tal' on that occasion %efore he too ha$ ha$ to retire throu&h these same #in$o#s+ :here #as no $ou%t a%out one thin&+ 0o*ers #ho chose that room for their inter*ie#s seeme$ to ha*e *ery little luc'+ It ha$ not occurre$ to 9eor&e at first that there coul$ %e any further $isa$*anta&e attache$ to his position other than the o%*ious $ra#%ac's #hich ha$ alrea$y come to his notice+ "e #as no# to percei*e that he ha$ %een mista'en+ A *oice #as spea'in& in the room he ha$ left a plainly au$i%le *oice $eep an$ throatyD an$ #ithin a minute 9eor&e ha$ %ecome a#are that he #as to suffer the a$$itional $iscomfort of %ein& o%li&e$ to listen to a fello# man2one coul$ call 3lummer that %y stretchin& the facts a little2 proposin& marria&e+ :he &ruesomeness of the situation %ecame intensifie$+ /f all moments #hen a man2an$ -ustice compelle$ 9eor&e to a$mit that 3lummer #as technically human2of all moments #hen a man may %y all the la#s of $ecency $eman$ to %e alone #ithout an au$ience of his o#n se< the chiefest is the moment #hen he is as'in& a &irl to marry him+ 9eor&e5s #as a sensiti*e nature an$ he #rithe$ at the thou&ht of playin& the ea*es$ropper at such a time+ "e loo'e$ frantically a%out him for a means of escape+ 3lummer ha$ no# reache$ the sta&e of sayin& at &reat len&th that he #as not #orthy of )au$+ "e sai$ it o*er an$ o*er a&ain in $ifferent #ays+ 9eor&e #as in hearty a&reement #ith him %ut he $i$ not #ant to hear it+ "e #ante$ to &et a#ay+ !ut ho#E 0or$ 0eonar$ on a similar occasion ha$ leape$+ >ome mi&ht ar&ue therefore on the principle that #hat man has $one man can $o that 9eor&e shoul$ ha*e imitate$ him+ !ut men $iffer+ :here #as a man attache$ to a circus #ho use$ to $i*e off the roof of )a$ison >Fuare 9ar$en on to a slopin& %oar$ stri'e it #ith his chest turn a couple of somersaults reach the &roun$ %o# si< times an$ &o off to lunch+ :hat sort of thin& is a &ift+ >ome of us ha*e it some ha*e not+ 9eor&e ha$ not+ 3ainful as it #as to hear 3lummer floun$erin& throu&h his proposal of marria&e instinct tol$ him that it #oul$ %e far more painful to hurl himself out into mi$.air on the sportin& chance of ha*in& his $o#n#ar$ pro&ress arreste$ %y the %ranches of the %i& tree that ha$ uphel$ 0or$ 0eonar$+ Io there seeme$ nothin& for it %ut to remain #here he #as+ Insi$e the room 3lummer #as no# sayin& ho# much the marria&e #oul$ please his mother+ @3sstGA 9eor&e loo'e$ a%out him+ It seeme$ to him that he ha$ hear$ a *oice+ "e listene$+ Io+ (<cept for the %ar'in& of a $istant $o& the faint #ailin& of a #altB the rustle of a roostin& %ir$ an$ the soun$ of 3lummer sayin& that if her refusal #as $ue to anythin& she mi&ht ha*e hear$ a%out that %reach.of.promise case of his a couple of years a&o he #oul$ li'e to state that he #as more sinne$ a&ainst than sinnin& an$ that the &irl ha$

a%solutely misun$erstoo$ him all #as still+ @3sstG "ey misterGA It #as a *oice+ It came from a%o*e+ 4as it an an&el5s *oiceE Iot alto&ether+ It #as Al%ert5s+ :he %oy #as leanin& out of a #in$o# some si< feet hi&her up the castle #all+ 9eor&e his eyes %y no# &ro#n use$ to the $ar'ness percei*e$ that the striplin& &esticulate$ as one ha*in& some messa&e to impart+ :hen &lancin& to one si$e he sa# #hat loo'e$ li'e some 'in$ of a rope s#aye$ a&ainst the #all+ "e reache$ for it+ :he thin& #as not a rope1 it #as a 'notte$ sheet+ =rom a%o*e came Al%ert5s hoarse #hisper+ @0oo' ali*eGA :his #as precisely #hat 9eor&e #ante$ to $o for at least another fifty years or soD an$ it seeme$ to him as he stoo$ there in the starli&ht &in&erly fin&erin& this flimsy linen thin& that if he #ere to suspen$ his hun$re$ an$ ei&hty poun$s of %one an$ sine# at the en$ of it o*er the %lac' &ulf outsi$e the %alcony he #oul$ loo' ali*e for a%out fi*e secon$s an$ after that &oo$ness only 'ne# ho# he #oul$ loo'+ "e 'ne# all a%out 'notte$ sheets+ "e ha$ rea$ a hun$re$ stories in #hich heroes heroines lo# come$y frien$s an$ e*en *illains $i$ all sorts of rec'less thin&s #ith their assistance+ :here #as not much comfort to %e $eri*e$ from that+ It #as one thin& to rea$ a%out people $oin& silly thin&s li'e that Fuite another to $o them yourself+ "e &a*e Al%ert5s sheet a tentati*e sha'e+ In all his e<perience he thou&ht he ha$ ne*er come across anythin& so supremely unsta%le+ 6/ne calls it Al%ert5s sheet for the sa'e of con*enience+ It #as really 8e&&ie !yn&5s sheet+ An$ #hen 8e&&ie &ot to his room in the small hours of the mornin& an$ foun$ the thin& a mass of 'nots he -umpe$ to the conclusionL %ein& a simple.hearte$ youn& man2that his %osom frien$ ?ac' =erris #ho ha$ come up from 0on$on to see 0or$ !elpher throu&h the tryin& e<perience of a comin&.of.a&e party ha$ $one it as a practical -o'e an$ #ent an$ poure$ a -u& of #ater o*er ?ac'5s %e$+ :hat is 0ife+ ?ust one lon& succession of misun$erstan$in&s an$ rash acts an$ #hat not+ A%solutelyG7 Al%ert #as %ecomin& impatient+ "e #as in the position of a &reat &eneral #ho thin's out some #on$erful piece of strate&y an$ can5t &et his army to carry it out+ )any %oys seein& 3lummer enter the room %elo# an$ listenin& at the 'eyhole an$ realiBin& that 9eor&e must ha*e hi$$en some#here an$ $e$ucin& that he must %e out on the %alcony #oul$ ha*e %een %affle$ as to ho# to procee$+ Iot so Al%ert+ :o $ash up to 8e&&ie !yn&5s room an$ strip his sheet off the %e$ an$ tie it to the %e$.post an$ fashion a series of 'nots in it an$ lo#er it out of the #in$o# too' Al%ert a%out three minutes+ "is part in the %usiness ha$ %een performe$ #ithout a hitch+ An$ no# 9eor&e #ho ha$ nothin& in the #orl$ to $o %ut the chil$ish tas' of clim%in& up the sheet #as -eopar$iBin& the success of the #hole scheme %y $elay+ Al%ert &a*e the sheet an irrita%le -er'+ It #as the #orst thin& he coul$ ha*e $one+ 9eor&e ha$ almost ma$e up his min$ to ta'e a chance #hen the sheet #as snatche$ from his &rasp as if it ha$ %een some li*e thin& $eli%erately elu$in& his clutch+ :he thou&ht of #hat #oul$ ha*e happene$ ha$ this occurre$ #hen he #as in mi$.air cause$ him to %rea' out in a col$ perspiration+ "e retire$ a pace an$ perche$ himself on the rail of the %alcony+ @3sstGA sai$ Al%ert+ @It5s no &oo$ sayin& H3sstG5@ re-oine$ 9eor&e in an annoye$ un$ertone+ @I coul$ say @3sstGA Any fool coul$ say H3sstG5@ Al%ert he consi$ere$ in leanin& out of the #in$o# an$ sayin& @3sstGA #as merely

touchin& the frin&e of the su%-ect+ It is pro%a%le that he #oul$ ha*e remaine$ seate$ on the %alcony rail re&ar$in& the sheet #ith col$ a*ersion in$efinitely ha$ not his han$ %een force$ %y the man 3lummer+ 3lummer $urin& these last minutes ha$ shot his %olt+ "e ha$ sai$ e*erythin& that a man coul$ say much of it t#ice o*erD an$ no# he #as throu&h+ All #as en$e$+ :he *er$ict #as in+ Io #e$$in&.%ells for 3lummer+ @I thin' A sai$ 3lummer &loomily an$ the #or$s smote on 9eor&e5s ear li'e a 'nell @I thin' I5$ li'e a little air+A 9eor&e leape$ from his rail li'e a hunte$ &rasshopper+ If 3lummer #as loo'in& for air it meant that he #as &oin& to come out on the %alcony+ :here #as only one thin& to %e $one+ It pro%a%ly meant the a%rupt conclusion of a promisin& career %ut he coul$ hesitate no lon&er+ 9eor&e &raspe$ the sheet2it felt li'e a rope of co%#e%s2an$ s#un& himself out+ )au$ loo'e$ out on to the %alcony+ "er heart #hich ha$ stoo$ still #hen the re-ecte$ one opene$ the #in$o# an$ steppe$ forth to commune #ith the soothin& stars %eat a&ain+ :here #as no one there only emptiness an$ 3lummer+ @:his A sai$ 3lummer som%rely &aBin& o*er the rail into the $ar'ness @is the place #here that fello# #hat5s.his.name -umpe$ off in the rei&n of thin&ummy isn5t itEA )au$ un$erstoo$ no# an$ a thrill of the purest a$miration for 9eor&e5s heroism s#ept o*er her+ >o rather than compromise her he ha$ $one 0eonar$5s leapG "o# splen$i$ of himG If 9eor&e no# sittin& on 8e&&ie !yn&5s %e$ ta'in& a rueful census of the %its of s'in remainin& on his han$s an$ 'nees after his clim% coul$ rea$ her thou&hts he #oul$ ha*e felt #ell re#ar$e$ for his a%rasions+ @I5*e a -olly &oo$ min$ A sai$ 3lummer @to $o it myselfGA "e uttere$ a short mirthless lau&h+ @4ell any#ay A he sai$ rec'lessly @I5ll -olly #ell &o $o#nstairs an$ ha*e a %ran$y.an$.so$aGA Al%ert finishe$ untyin& the sheet from the %e$post an$ stuffe$ it un$er the pillo#+ @An$ no# A sai$ Al%ert @for a Fuiet smo'e in the scullery+A :hese massi*e min$s reFuire their moments of rela<ation+

Chapter 14
9eor&e5s i$ea #as to &et home+ Nuic'+ :here #as no possi%le chance of a secon$ meetin& #ith )au$ that ni&ht+ :hey ha$ met an$ ha$ %een #hirle$ asun$er+ Io use to stru&&le #ith =ate+ !est to &i*e in an$ hope that another time =ate #oul$ %e 'in$er+ 4hat 9eor&e #ante$ no# #as to %e a#ay from all the &ay &litter an$ the fairyli'e tout ensem%le an$ the &ala<y of fair #omen an$ %ra*e men safe in his o#n easy.chair #here nothin& coul$ happen to him+ A nice sense of $uty #oul$ no $ou%t ha*e ta'en him %ac' to his post in or$er fully to earn the so*erei&n #hich ha$ %een pai$ to him for his ser*ices as temporary #aiterD %ut the *oice of Duty calle$ to him in *ain+ If the !ritish aristocracy $esire$ refreshments let them &et them for themsel*es2an$ li'e itG "e #as throu&h+ !ut if 9eor&e ha$ for the time %ein& $one #ith the !ritish aristocracy the !ritish aristocracy ha$ not $one #ith him+ "ar$ly ha$ he reache$ the hall #hen he encountere$ the one mem%er of the or$er #hom he #oul$ most &la$ly ha*e a*oi$e$+ 0or$ !elpher #as not in &enial moo$+ 0ate hours al#ays ma$e his hea$ ache an$ he #as not a $ancin& manD so that he #as %y no# fully as #eary of the fairyli'e tout

ensem%le as #as 9eor&e+ !ut %ein& the centre an$ cause of the ni&ht5s procee$in&s he #as compelle$ to %e present to the finish+ "e #as in the position of captains #ho must %e last to lea*e their ships an$ of %oys #ho stan$ on %urnin& $ec's #hence all %ut they ha$ fle$+ "e ha$ spent se*eral hours sha'in& han$s #ith total stran&ers an$ recei*in& #ith a froBen smile their felicitations on the attainment of his ma-ority an$ he coul$ not ha*e %een calle$ upon to meet a lar&er hor$e of relations than ha$ sur&e$ roun$ him that ni&ht if he ha$ %een a ra%%it+ :he !elpher connection #as #i$e stra&&lin& o*er most of (n&lan$D an$ first cousins secon$ cousins an$ e*en thir$ an$ fourth cousins ha$ $e%ouche$ from practically e*ery county on the map an$ marche$ upon the home of their ancestors+ :he effort of ha*in& to %e ci*il to all of these ha$ tol$ upon 3ercy+ 0i'e the heroine of his sister )au$5s fa*ourite poem he #as @a#eary a#eary A an$ he #ante$ a $rin'+ "e re&ar$e$ 9eor&e5s appearance as e<cee$in&ly opportune+ @9et me a small %ottle of champa&ne an$ %rin& it to the li%rary+A @Ces sir+A :he t#o #or$s soun$ innocent enou&h %ut #ishin& as he $i$ to efface himself an$ a*oi$ pu%licity they #ere the most unfortunate #hich 9eor&e coul$ ha*e chosen+ If he ha$ merely %o#e$ acFuiescence an$ $eparte$ it is pro%a%le that 0or$ !elpher #oul$ not ha*e ta'en a secon$ loo' at him+ 3ercy #as in no con$ition to su%-ect e*eryone he met to a minute scrutiny+ !ut #hen you ha*e %een a$$resse$ for an entire lifetime as @your lor$shipA it startles you #hen a #aiter calls you @>irA+ 0or$ !elpher &a*e 9eor&e a &lance in #hich reproof an$ pain #ere nicely min&le$ emotions Fuic'ly supplante$ %y amaBement+ A &ur&le escape$ him+ @>topGA he crie$ as 9eor&e turne$ a#ay+ 3ercy #as rattle$+ :he crisis foun$ him in t#o min$s+ /n the one han$ he #oul$ ha*e %een prepare$ to ta'e oath that this man %efore him #as the man #ho ha$ 'noc'e$ off his hat in 3icca$illy+ :he li'eness ha$ struc' him li'e a %lo# the moment he ha$ ta'en a &oo$ loo' at the fello#+ /n the other han$ there is nothin& #hich is more li'ely to lea$ one astray than a resem%lance+ "e ha$ ne*er for&otten the horror an$ humiliation of the occasion #hich ha$ happene$ in his fourteenth year #hen a motherly #oman at 3a$$in&ton >tation ha$ calle$ him @$earieA an$ pu%licly em%race$ him on the erroneous supposition that he #as her nephe# 3hilip+ "e must procee$ cautiously+ A %ra#l #ith an innocent #aiter comin& on the heels of that infernal episo$e #ith the policeman #oul$ &i*e people the impression that assailin& the lo#er or$ers ha$ %ecome a ho%%y of his+ @>irEA sai$ 9eor&e politely+ "is %raBen front shoo' 0or$ !elpher5s confi$ence+ @I ha*en5t seen you %efore here ha*e IEA #as all he coul$ fin$ to say+ @Io sir A replie$ 9eor&e smoothly+ @I am only temporarily attache$ to the castle staff+A @4here $o you come fromEA @ America sir+A 0or$ !elpher starte$+ @ AmericaGA @Ces sir+ I am in (n&lan$ on a *acation+ )y cousin Al%ert is pa&e %oy at the castle an$ he tol$ me there #ere a fe# *acancies for e<tra help toni&ht so I applie$ an$ #as &i*en the -o%+A 0or$ !elpher fro#ne$ perple<e$ly+ It all soun$e$ entirely plausi%le+ An$ #hat #as satisfactory the statement coul$ %e chec'e$ %y application to ;e&&s the %utler+ An$ yet there #as a lin&erin& $ou%t+ "o#e*er there seeme$ nothin& to %e &aine$ %y continuin&

the con*ersation+ @I see A he sai$ at last+ @4ell %rin& that champa&ne to the li%rary as Fuic' as you can+A @Jery &oo$ sir+A 0or$ !elpher remaine$ #here he stoo$ %roo$in&+ 8eason tol$ him he ou&ht to %e satisfie$ %ut he #as not satisfie$+ It #oul$ ha*e %een $ifferent ha$ he not 'no#n that this fello# #ith #hom )au$ ha$ %ecome entan&le$ #as in the nei&h%ourhoo$+ An$ if that scoun$rel ha$ ha$ the au$acity to come an$ ta'e a cotta&e at the castle &ates #hy not the au$acity to in*a$e the castle itselfE :he appearance of one of the footmen on his #ay throu&h the hall #ith a tray &a*e him the opportunity for further in*esti&ation+ @>en$ ;e&&s to meGA @Jery &oo$ your lor$ship+A An inter*al an$ the %utler arri*e$+ ,nli'e 0or$ !elpher late hours #ere no har$ship to ;e&&s+ "e #as essentially a ni&ht.%loomin& flo#er+ "is %ro# #as as free from #rin'les as his shirt.front+ "e %ore himself #ith the conscious $i&nity of one #ho #hile he #oul$ ha*e freely a$mitte$ he $i$ not actually o#n the castle #as ne*ertheless a#are that he #as one of its most conspicuous ornaments+ @Cou #ishe$ to see me your lor$shipEA @Ces+ ;e&&s there are a num%er of outsi$e men helpin& here toni&ht aren5t thereEA @In$u%ita%ly your lor$ship+ :he unprece$ente$ scale of the entertainment necessitate$ the en&a&ement of a certain num%er of supernumeraries A replie$ ;e&&s #ith an easy fluency #hich 8e&&ie !yn& no# coolin& his hea$ on the lo#er terrace #oul$ ha*e %itterly en*ie$+ @In the circumstances such an arran&ement #as ine*ita%le+A @Cou en&a&e$ all these men yourselfEA @In a manner of spea'in& your lor$ship an$ for all practical purposes yes+ )rs+ Di&%y the House.'eeper con$ucte$ the actual ne&otiations in many cases %ut the arran&ement #as in no instance consi$ere$ complete until I ha$ passe$ each applicant+A @Do you 'no# anythin& of an American #ho says he is the cousin of the pa&e.%oyEA @:he %oy Al%ert $i$ intro$uce a nominee #hom he state$ to %e His cousin Home from Ie# Cor' on a *isit an$ an<ious to o%li&e+ I trust he Has &i*en no $issatisfaction your lor$shipE "e seeme$ a respecta%le youn& man+A @Io no not at all+ I merely #ishe$ to 'no# if you 'ne# him+ /ne can5t %e too careful+A @Io in$ee$ your lor$ship+A @:hat5s all then+A @:han' you your lor$ship+A 0or$ !elpher #as satisfie$+ "e #as also relie*e$+ "e felt that pru$ence an$ a stea$y hea$ ha$ 'ept him from ma'in& himself ri$iculous+ 4hen 9eor&e presently returne$ #ith the life.sa*in& flui$ he than'e$ him an$ turne$ his thou&hts to other thin&s+ !ut if the youn& master #as satisfie$ ;e&&s #as not+ ,pon ;e&&s a %ri&ht li&ht ha$ shone+ :here #ere fe# men he flattere$ himself #ho coul$ more rea$ily put t#o an$ t#o to&ether an$ %rin& the sum to a correct ans#er+ ;e&&s 'ne# of the stran&e American &entleman #ho ha$ ta'en up his a%o$e at the cotta&e $o#n %y 3latt5s farm+ "is loo's his ha%its an$ his moti*es for comin& there ha$ forme$ foo$ for $iscussion throu&hout one meal in the ser*ant5s hallD a stran&er #hose a%stention from %rush an$ palette sho#e$ him to %e no artist %ein& an o%-ect of interest+ An$ #hile the solution put for#ar$ %y a

romantic la$y5s.mai$ a &reat rea$er of no*elettes that the youn& man ha$ come there to cure himself of some unhappy passion %y communin& #ith nature ha$ %een scoffe$ at %y the company ;e&&s ha$ not %een so sure that there mi&ht not %e somethin& in it+ 0ater e*ents ha$ $eepene$ his suspicion #hich no# after this inter*ie# #ith 0or$ !elpher ha$ %ecome certainty+ :he e<treme fishiness of Al%ert5s su$$en pro$uction of a cousin from America #as so manifest that only his preoccupation at the moment #hen he met the youn& man coul$ ha*e pre*ente$ him seein& it %efore+ "is 'no#le$&e of Al%ert tol$ him that if one so *erse$ as that youth in the art of >#an' ha$ really possesse$ a cousin in America he #oul$ lon& a&o ha*e %een %orin& the ser*ants5 hall #ith fictions a%out the man5s #ealth an$ importance+ =or Al%ert not to lie a%out a thin& practically pro*e$ that thin& non. e<istent+ >uch #as the simple cree$ of ;e&&s+ "e accoste$ a passin& fello#.ser*itor+ @>een youn& %li&hte$ Al%ert any#here =re$$yEA It #as in this shameful manner that that mastermin$ #as ha%itually referre$ to %elo# stairs+ @>een Him &oin& into the scullery not Harf a minute a&o A replie$ =re$$y+ @:han's+A @>o lon& A sai$ =re$$y+ @!e &oo$GA returne$ ;e&&s #hose mo$e of speech amon& those of his o#n #orl$ $iffere$ su%stantially from that #hich he consi$ere$ it %ecame him to employ #hen con*ersin& #ith the title$+ :he fall of &reat men is %ut too often $ue to the failure of their misera%le %o$ies to &i*e the necessary support to their &reat %rains+ :here are some for e<ample #ho say that Iapoleon #oul$ ha*e #on the %attle of 4aterloo if he ha$ not ha$ $yspepsia+ Iot other#ise #as it #ith Al%ert on that present occasion+ :he arri*al of ;e&&s foun$ him at a $isa$*anta&e+ "e ha$ %een impru$ent enou&h on lea*in& 9eor&e to en$ea*our to smo'e a ci&ar purloine$ from the %o< #hich stoo$ hospita%ly open on a ta%le in the hall+ !ut for this #ho 'no#s #ith #hat cunnin& counter.attac's he mi&ht ha*e foile$ the %utler5s onslau&htE As it #as the %attle #as a #al'.o*er for the enemy+ @I5*e %een loo'in& for you youn& %li&hte$ Al%ertGA sai$ ;e&&s col$ly+ Al%ert turne$ a &reen %ut $efiant face to the foe+ @9o an$ %oil yer Hea$GA he a$*ise$+ @Ie*er min$ a%out my Hea$+ If I #as to $o my $uty to you I5$ &i*e you a clip si$e of your Hea$ that5s #hat I5$ $o+A @An$ then %ury it in the #oo$s A a$$e$ Al%ert #incin& as the conseFuences of his rash act s#ept throu&h his small form li'e some nauseous ti$al #a*e+ "e shut his eyes+ It upset him to see ;e&&s shimmerin& li'e that+ A shimmerin& %utler is an a#ful si&ht+ ;e&&s lau&he$ a har$ lau&h+ @Cou an$ your cousins from AmericaGA @4hat a%out my cousins from AmericaEA @Ces #hat a%out themE :hat5s -ust #hat 0or$ !elpher an$ me ha*e %een as'in& oursel*es+A @I $on5t 'no# #ot you5re tal'in& a%out+A @Cou soon #ill youn& %li&hte$ Al%ertG 4ho snea'e$ that American fello# into the House to meet 0a$y )au$EA @I ne*erGA

@:hin' I $i$n5t see throu&h your little &ameE 4hy I 'ne# from the first+A @Ces you $i$G :hen #hy $i$ you let him into the placeEA ;e&&s snorte$ triumphantly+ @:hereG Cou a$mit itG It #as that fellerGA :oo late Al%ert sa# his false mo*e2a mo*e #hich in a normal state of health he #oul$ ha*e scorne$ to ma'e+ ?ust as Iapoleon minus a stomach.ache #oul$ ha*e scorne$ the %lun$er that sent his Cuirassiers plun&in& to $estruction in the sun'en roa$+ @I $on5t 'no# #hat you5re tor'in5 a%out A he sai$ #ea'ly+ @4ell A sai$ ;e&&s @I ha*en5t time to stan$ Here chattin& #ith you+ I must %e &oin& %ac' to His lor$ship to tell Him of the Horri$ tric' you playe$ on him+A A secon$ spasm shoo' Al%ert to the core of his %ein&+ :he $ou%le assault #as too much for him+ !etraye$ %y the %o$y the spirit yiel$e$+ @Cou #oul$n5t $o that )r+ ;e&&sGA :here #as a #hite fla& in e*ery sylla%le+ @I #oul$ if I $i$ my $uty+A @!ut you $on5t care a%out that A ur&e$ Al%ert in&ratiatin&ly+ @I5ll ha*e to thin' it o*er A muse$ ;e&&s+ @I $on5t #ant to %e Han$ on a youn& %oy+A "e stru&&le$ silently #ith himself+ @8uinin5 His prospec'sGA An inspiration seeme$ to come to him+ @All ri&ht youn& %li&hte$ Al%ert A he sai$ %ris'ly+ @I5ll &o a&ainst my %etter nature this once an$ chance it+ An$ no# youn& feller me la$ you -ust Han$ o*er that tic'et of yoursG Cou 'no# #hat I5m alloo$in5 toG :hat tic'et you Ha$ at the s#eep the one #ith H)r+ O5 on it+A Al%ert5s in$omita%le spirit triumphe$ for a moment o*er his stric'en %o$y+ @:hat5s li'ely ain5t itGA ;e&&s si&he$2the si&h of a &oo$ man #ho has $one his %est to help a fello#.%ein& an$ has %een %affle$ %y the other5s per*ersity+ @?ust as you please A he sai$ sorro#fully+ @!ut I $i$ Hope I shoul$n5t Ha*e to &o to His lor$ship an$ tell Him Ho# you5*e $ecei*e$ him+A Al%ert capitulate$+ @H(re yer areGA A piece of paper chan&e$ han$s+ @It5s men li'e you #ot lea$ to Harf the crime in the countryGA @)uch o%li&e$ me la$+A @Cou5$ #al' a mile in the sno# you #oul$ A continue$ Al%ert pursuin& his train of thou&ht @to ro% a star*in& %e&&ar of a ha5penny+A @4ho5s ro%%in& anyoneE Don5t you tal' so Fuic' youn& man+ I5m $oin& the ri&ht thin& %y you+ Cou can Ha*e my tic'et mar'e$ H8e&&ie !yn&5+ It5s a fair e<chan&e an$ no one the #orseGA @=at lot of &oo$ that isGA @:hat5s as it may %e+ Anyho# there it is+A ;e&&s prepare$ to #ith$ra#+ @Cou5re too youn& to Ha*e all that money Al%ert+ Cou #oul$n5t 'no# #hat to $o #ith it+ It #oul$n5t ma'e you Happy+ :here5s other thin&s in the #orl$ %esi$es #innin& s#eepsta'es+ An$ properly spea'in& you ou&ht ne*er to ha*e %een allo#e$ to $ra# at all %ein& so youn&+A Al%ert &roane$ hollo#ly+ @4hen you5*e finishe$ tor'in5 I #ish you5$ 'in$ly ha*e the &oo$ness to lea*e me alone+ I5m not meself+A @:hat A sai$ ;e&&s cor$ially @is a %it of luc' for you my %oy+ Accept my Heartiest felicitationsGA Defeat is the test of the &reat man+ Cour true &eneral is not he #ho ri$es to triumph on

the ti$e of an easy *ictory %ut the one #ho #hen crushe$ to earth can %en$ himself to the tas' of plannin& metho$s of risin& a&ain+ >uch a one #as Al%ert the pa&e.%oy+ /%ser*e Al%ert in his attic %e$room scarcely more than an hour later+ "is %o$y has practically cease$ to trou%le him an$ his soarin& spirit has come into its o#n a&ain+ 4ith the e<ception of a no# *ery occasional spasm his physical an&uish has passe$ an$ he is thin'in& thin'in& har$+ /n the chest of $ra#ers is a &ru%%y en*elope a$$resse$ in an ill. forme$ han$ to1 8+ !yn& (sF+ /n a sheet of paper soon to %e place$ in the en*elope are #ritten in the same han$ these #or$s1 @Do not $ispareG 8emem%erG =ante hart ne*er #on fair la$y+ I shall #atch your futur pro&res #ith consi$ura%le interest+ Cour 4ell.4isher+A :he last sentence is not ori&inal+ Al%ert5s >un$ay.school teacher sai$ it to Al%ert on the occasion of his ta'in& up his $uties at the castle an$ it stuc' in his memory+ =ortunately for it e<presse$ e<actly #hat Al%ert #ishe$ to say+ =rom no# on 8e&&ie !yn&5s pro&ress #ith 0a$y )au$ )arsh #as to %e the thin& nearest to Al%ert5s heart+ An$ 9eor&e mean#hileE 0ittle 'no#in& ho# =ate has chan&e$ in a flash an ally into an opponent he is stan$in& at the e$&e of the shru%%ery near the castle &ate+ :he ni&ht is *ery %eautifulD the %an'e$ spots on his han$s an$ 'nees are hurtin& much less no#D an$ he is full of lon& s#eet thou&hts+ "e has -ust $isco*ere$ the e<traor$inary resem%lance #hich ha$ not struc' him as he #as clim%in& up the 'notte$ sheet %et#een his o#n position an$ that of the hero of :ennyson5s )au$ a poem to #hich he has al#ays %een particularly a$$icte$2an$ ne*er more so than $urin& the $ays since he learne$ the name of the only possi%le &irl+ 4hen he has not %een playin& &olf :ennyson5s )au$ has %een his constant companion+ @Nueen rose of the rose%u$ &ar$en of &irls Come hither the $ances are $one In &lass of satin an$ &limmer of pearls+ Nueen lily an$ rose in oneD >hine out little hea$ sunnin& o*er #ith curls :o the flo#ers an$ %e their sun+A :he music from the %allroom flo#s out to him throu&h the motionless air+ :he smell of s#eet earth an$ &ro#in& thin&s is e*ery#here+ @Come into the &ar$en )au$ =or the %lac' %at ni&ht hath flo#n Come into the &ar$en )au$ I am here at the &ate aloneD An$ the #oo$%ine spices are #afte$ a%roa$ An$ the mus' of the rose is %lo#n+A "e $ra#s a $eep %reath misle$ youn& man+ :he ni&ht is *ery %eautiful+ It is near to the $a#n no# an$ in the %ushes li*e thin&s are %e&innin& to stir an$ #hisper+ @)au$GA >urely she can hear himE @)au$GA :he sil*er stars loo'e$ $o#n $ispassionately+ :his sort of thin& ha$ no no*elty for them+

Chapter 15
0or$ !elpher5s t#enty.first %irth$ay $a#ne$ %ri&htly heral$e$ in %y much t#itterin& of sparro#s in the i*y outsi$e his %e$room+ :hese 3ercy $i$ not hear for he #as soun$ asleep an$ ha$ ha$ a late ni&ht+ :he first soun$ that #as a%le to penetrate his hea*y

slum%er an$ rouse him to a realiBation that his %irth$ay ha$ arri*e$ #as the piercin& cry of 8e&&ie !yn& on his #ay to the %ath.room across the corri$or+ It #as 8e&&ie5s $istur%in& custom to ur&e himself on to a col$ %ath #ith encoura&in& yellsD an$ the noise of this performance follo#e$ %y *iolent splashin& an$ a series of sharp ho#ls as the spon&e playe$ upon the !yn& spine ma$e sleep an impossi%ility #ithin a ra$ius of many yar$s+ 3ercy sat up in %e$ an$ curse$ 8e&&ie silently+ "e $isco*ere$ that he ha$ a hea$ache+ 3resently the $oor fle# open an$ the *ocalist entere$ in person cla$ in a pin' %athro%e an$ *ery tousle$ an$ rosy from the tu%+ @)any happy returns of the $ay !oots ol$ thin&GA 8e&&ie %urst rollic'in&ly into son&+ @I5m t#enty.one to$ayG :#enty.one to$ayG I5*e &ot the 'ey of the $oorG Ie*er %een t#enty.one %eforeG An$ father says I can $o #hat I li'eG >o shout "ip.hip.hoorayG I5m a -olly &oo$ fello# :#enty.one to$ay+A 0or$ !elpher sco#le$ morosely+ @I #ish you #oul$n5t ma'e that infernal noiseGA @4hat infernal noiseEA @:hat sin&in&GA @)y 9o$G :his man has #oun$e$ meGA sai$ 8e&&ie+ @I5*e a hea$ache+A @I thou&ht you #oul$ ha*e la$$ie #hen I sa# you &ettin& a#ay #ith the liFui$ last ni&ht+ An O.ray photo&raph of your li*er #oul$ sho# somethin& that loo'e$ li'e a crumple$ oa'.leaf stu$$e$ #ith ho%.nails+ Cou ou&ht to ta'e more e<ercise $ear heart+ (<cept for sloshin& that policeman you ha*en5t $one anythin& athletic for years+A @I #ish you #oul$n5t harp on that affairGA 8e&&ie sat $o#n on the %e$+ @!et#een oursel*es ol$ man A he sai$ confi$entially @I also2I myself28e&inal$ !yn& in person2#as perhaps a sha$e pollute$ $urin& the e*enin&+ I &i*e you my honest #or$ that -ust after $inner I sa# three *ersions of your uncle the %ishop stan$in& in a ro# si$e %y si$e+ I tell you la$$ie that for a moment I thou&ht I ha$ straye$ into a !ishop5s !eano at (<eter "all or the Athenaeum or #here*er it is those chappies collect in &an&s+ :hen the three %ishops sort of con&eale$ into one %ishop a trifle %lurre$ a%out the outlines an$ I felt relie*e$+ !ut #hat con*ince$ me that I ha$ emptie$ a fla&on or so too many #as a rather rummy thin& that occurre$ later on+ "a*e you e*er happene$ $urin& one of these feasts of reason an$ flo#s of soul #hen you #ere %u%%lin& o*er #ith -oie.$e.*i*re2ha*e you e*er happene$ to see thin&sE 4hat I mean to say is I ha$ a $euce$ o$$ e<perience last ni&ht+ I coul$ ha*e s#orn that one of the #aiter.chappies #as that fello# #ho 'noc'e$ off your hat in 3icca$illy+A 0or$ !elpher #ho ha$ sun' %ac' on to the pillo#s at 8e&&ie5s entrance an$ ha$ %een listenin& to his tal' #ith only intermittent attention shot up in %e$+ @4hatGA @A%solutelyG )y mista'e of course %ut there it #as+ :he fello# mi&ht ha*e %een his $ou%le+A @!ut you5*e ne*er seen the man+A @/h yes I ha*e+ I for&ot to tell you+ I met him on the lin's yester$ay+ I5$ &one out there alone rather e<pectin& to ha*e a roun$ #ith the pro+ %ut fin$in& this la$ there I

su&&este$ that #e mi&ht &o roun$ to&ether+ 4e $i$ ei&hteen holes an$ he lic'e$ the %oots off me+ Jery hot stuff he #as+ An$ after the &ame he too' me off to his cotta&e an$ &a*e me a $rin'+ "e li*es at the cotta&e ne<t $oor to 3latt5s farm so you see it #as the i$entical chappie+ 4e &ot e<tremely matey+ 0i'e %rothers+ A%solutelyG >o you can un$erstan$ #hat a shoc' it &a*e me #hen I foun$ #hat I too' to %e the same man ser*in& %racers to the multitu$e the same e*enin&+ /ne of those nasty -ars that cause a fello#5s hea$ to s#im a %it $on5t you 'no# an$ ma'e him lose confi$ence in himself+A 0or$ !elpher $i$ not reply+ "is %rain #as #hirlin&+ >o he ha$ %een ri&ht after allG @Cou 'no# A pursue$ 8e&&ie seriously @I thin' you are ma'in& the %loomer of a lifetime o*er this hat.s#attin& chappie+ Cou5*e mis-u$&e$ him+ "e5s a first.rate sort+ :a'e it from meG Io%o$y coul$ ha*e &ot out of the %un'er at the fifteenth hole %etter than he $i$+ If you5ll ta'e my a$*ice you5ll conciliate the feller+ A really first.class &olfer is #hat you nee$ in the family+ !esi$es e*en lea*in& out of the Fuestion the fact that he can $o thin&s #ith a ni%lic' that I $i$n5t thin' any%o$y e<cept the pro+ coul$ $o he5s a cor'in& &oo$ sort+ A stout fello# in e*ery respect+ I too' to the chappie+ "e5s all ri&ht+ 9ra% him !oots %efore he &ets a#ay+ :hat5s my tip to you+ Cou5ll ne*er re&ret itG =rom first to last this la$ $i$n5t fooBle a sin&le $ri*e an$ his approach.puttin& has to %e seen to %e %elie*e$+ 4ell &ot to $ress I suppose+ )ustn5t #aste life5s sprin&time sittin& here tal'in& to you+ :oo$le.oo la$$ieG 4e shall meet anonGA 0or$ !elpher leape$ from his %e$+ "e #as feelin& #orse than e*er no# an$ a &lance into the mirror tol$ him that he loo'e$ rather #orse than he felt+ 0ate ni&hts an$ insufficient sleep a$$e$ to the nee$ of a sha*e al#ays ma$e him loo' li'e somethin& that shoul$ ha*e %een s#ept up an$ ta'en a#ay to the ash.%in+ An$ as for his physical con$ition tal'in& to 8e&&ie !yn& ne*er ten$e$ to ma'e you feel %etter #hen you ha$ a hea$ache+ 8e&&ie5s manner #as not soothin& an$ on this particular mornin& his choice of a topic ha$ %een unusually irritatin&+ 0or$ !elpher tol$ himself that he coul$ not un$erstan$ 8e&&ie+ "e ha$ ne*er %een a%le to ma'e his min$ Fuite clear as to the e<act relations %et#een the latter an$ his sister )au$ %ut he ha$ al#ays %een un$er the impression that if they #ere not actually en&a&e$ they #ere on the *er&e of %ecomin& soD an$ it #as ma$$enin& to ha*e to listen to 8e&&ie a$*ocatin& the claims of a ri*al as if he ha$ no personal interest in the affair at all+ 3ercy felt for his complaisant frien$ somethin& of the annoyance #hich a househol$er feels for the #atch$o& #hom he fin$s fraterniBin& #ith the %ur&lar+ 4hy 8e&&ie more than anyone else ou&ht to %e foamin& #ith ra&e at the insolence of this American fello# in comin& $o#n to !elpher an$ plantin& himself at the castle &ates+ Instea$ of #hich on his o#n sho#in& he appeare$ to ha*e a$opte$ an attitu$e to#ar$s him #hich #oul$ ha*e e<cite$ remar' if a$opte$ %y Da*i$ to#ar$s ?onathan+ "e seeme$ to spen$ all his spare time frolic'in& #ith the man on the &olf.lin's an$ ho%no%%in& #ith him in his house+ 0or$ !elp%er #as thorou&hly upset+ It #as impossi%le to pro*e it or to $o anythin& a%out it no# %ut he #as con*ince$ that the fello# ha$ #orme$ his #ay into the castle in the &uise of a #aiter+ "e ha$ pro%a%ly met )au$ an$ plotte$ further meetin&s #ith her+ :his thin& #as %ecomin& unen$ura%le+ /ne thin& #as certain+ :he family honour #as in his han$s+ Anythin& that #as to %e $one to 'eep )au$ a#ay from the intru$er must %e $one %y himself+ 8e&&ie #as hopeless1 he #as capa%le as far as 3ercy coul$ see of escortin& )au$ to the fello#5s $oor in his o#n car an$ lea*in& her on the threshol$ #ith his %lessin&+ As for 0or$

)arshmoreton roses an$ the family history too' up so much of his time that he coul$ not %e counte$ on for anythin& %ut moral support+ "e 3ercy must $o the acti*e #or'+ "e ha$ -ust come to this $ecision #hen approachin& the #in$o# an$ &aBin& $o#n into the &roun$s he percei*e$ his sister )au$ #al'in& rapi$ly2an$ so it seeme$ to him #ith a furti*e air2$o#n the east $ri*e+ An$ it #as to the east that 3latt5s farm an$ the cotta&e ne<t $oor to it lay+ At the moment of this $isco*ery 3ercy #as in a costume ill a$apte$ for the ta'in& of country #al's+ 8e&&ie5s remar's a%out his li*er ha$ struc' home an$ it ha$ %een his intention %y #ay of a correcti*e to his hea$ache an$ a &eneral feelin& of s#ollen ill. health to $o a little #or' %efore his %ath #ith a pair of In$ian clu%s+ "e ha$ arraye$ himself for this purpose in an ol$ s#eater a pair of &rey flannel trousers an$ patent leather e*enin& shoes+ It #as not the &ar% he #oul$ ha*e chosen himself for a ram%le %ut time #as flyin&1 e*en to put on a pair of %oots is a matter of minutes1 an$ in another moment or t#o )au$ #oul$ %e out of si&ht+ 3ercy ran $o#nstairs snatche$ up a soft shootin&.hat #hich pro*e$ too late to %elon& to a person #ith a hea$ t#o siBes smaller than his o#nD an$ race$ out into the &roun$s+ "e #as -ust in time to see )au$ $isappearin& roun$ the corner of the $ri*e+ 0or$ !elpher ha$ ne*er %elon&e$ to that *irile class of the community #hich consi$ers runnin& a pleasure an$ a pastime+ At /<for$ on those occasions #hen the mem%ers of his colle&e ha$ turne$ out on ra# afternoons to trot alon& the ri*er.%an' encoura&in& the colle&e ei&ht #ith yellin& an$ the s#in&in& of police.rattles 3ercy ha$ al#ays staye$ pru$ently in his rooms #ith tea an$ %uttere$ toast there%y a*oi$in& #ho 'no#s #hat col$s an$ cou&hs+ 4hen he ran he ran reluctantly an$ #ith a $efinite o%-ect in *ie# such as the catchin& of a train+ "e #as conseFuently not in the %est of con$ition an$ the sharp sprint #hich #as imperati*e at this -uncture if he #as to 'eep his sister in *ie# left him spent an$ pantin&+ !ut he ha$ the re#ar$ of reachin& the &ates of the $ri*e not many secon$s after )au$ an$ of seein& her #al'in&2more slo#ly no#2$o#n the roa$ that le$ to 3latt5s+ :his confirmation of his suspicions ena%le$ him momentarily to for&et the %lister #hich #as formin& on the heel of his left foot+ "e set out after her at a &oo$ pace+ :he roa$ after the ha%it of country roa$s #oun$ an$ t#iste$+ :he Fuarry #as freFuently out of si&ht+ An$ 3ercy5s an<iety #as such that e*ery time )au$ *anishe$ he %ro'e into a &allop+ Another hun$re$ yar$s an$ the %lister no lon&er consente$ to %e i&nore$+ It crie$ for attention li'e a little chil$ an$ #as rapi$ly insinuatin& itself into a position in the scheme of thin&s #here it threatene$ to %ecome the centre of the #orl$+ !y the time the thir$ %en$ in the roa$ #as reache$ it seeme$ to 3ercy that this %lister ha$ %ecome the one &reat =act in an unreal ni&htmare.li'e uni*erse+ "e ho%%le$ painfully1 an$ #hen he stoppe$ su$$enly an$ $arte$ %ac' into the shelter of the he$&e his foot seeme$ aflame+ :he only reason #hy the %lister on his left heel $i$ not at this -uncture attract his entire attention #as that he ha$ %ecome a#are that there #as another of eFual proportions formin& on his ri&ht heel+ 3ercy ha$ stoppe$ an$ sou&ht co*er in the he$&e %ecause as he roun$e$ the %en$ in the roa$ he percei*e$ %efore he ha$ time to chec' his &allop that )au$ ha$ also stoppe$+ >he #as stan$in& in the mi$$le of the roa$ loo'in& o*er her shoul$er not ten yar$s a#ay+ "a$ she seen himE It #as a point that time alone coul$ sol*e+ IoG >he #al'e$ on a&ain+ >he ha$ not seen him+ 0or$ !elpher %y means of a nota%le triumph of min$ o*er matter for&ot the %listers an$ hurrie$ after her+

:hey ha$ no# reache$ that point in the roa$ #here three choices offer themsel*es to the #ayfarer+ !y &oin& strai&ht on he may #in throu&h to the *illa&e of )ores%y.in.the. Jale a charmin& little place #ith a Iorman churchD %y turnin& to the left he may *isit the eFually se$ucti*e hamlet of 0ittle 4eetin&D %y turnin& to the ri&ht off the main roa$ an$ &oin& $o#n a leafy lane he may fin$ himself at the $oor of 3latt5s farm+ 4hen )au$ reachin& the cross.roa$s su$$enly s#un& $o#n the one to the left 0or$ !elpher #as for the moment completely %affle$+ 8eason reasserte$ its #ay the ne<t minute tellin& him that this #as %ut a ruse+ 4hether or no she ha$ cau&ht si&ht of him there #as no $ou%t that )au$ inten$e$ to sha'e off any possi%le pursuit %y ta'in& this speciously innocent turnin& an$ ma'in& a $etour+ >he coul$ ha*e no possi%le moti*e in &oin& to 0ittle 4eetin&+ "e ha$ ne*er %een to 0ittle 4eetin& in his life an$ there #as no reason to suppose that )au$ ha$ either+ :he si&n.post informe$ him2a statement strenuously $enie$ %y the t#in.%listers2that the $istance to 0ittle 4eetin& #as one an$ a half miles+ 0or$ !elpher5s *ie# of it #as that it #as nearer fifty+ "e $ra&&e$ himself alon& #earily+ It #as simpler no# to 'eep )au$ in si&ht for the roa$ ran strai&ht1 %ut there %ein& a catch in e*erythin& in this #orl$ the process #as also messier+ In or$er to a*oi$ %ein& seen it #as necessary for 3ercy to lea*e the roa$ an$ tramp alon& in the $eep $itch #hich ran parallel to it+ :here is nothin& half.hearte$ a%out these $itches #hich accompany (n&lish country roa$s+ :hey 'no# they are inten$e$ to %e $itches not mere furro#s an$ they %eha*e as such+ :he one that sheltere$ 0or$ !elpher #as so $eep that only his hea$ an$ nec' protru$e$ a%o*e the le*el of the roa$ an$ so $irty that a %are t#enty yar$s of tra*el #as sufficient to coat him #ith mu$+ 8ain once fallen is reluctant to lea*e the (n&lish $itch+ It nestles insi$e it for #ee's formin& a rich oatmeal.li'e su%stance #hich has to %e stirre$ to %e %elie*e$+ 3ercy stirre$ it+ "e churne$ it+ "e plou&he$ an$ sloshe$ throu&h it+ :he mu$ stuc' to him li'e a %rother+ Ie*ertheless %ein& a $etermine$ youn& man he $i$ not &i*e in+ /nce he lost a shoe %ut a little searchin& reco*ere$ that+ /n another occasion a passin& $o& seein& thin&s &oin& on in the $itch #hich in his opinion shoul$ not ha*e %een &oin& on2he #as a hi&h.strun& $o& unuse$ to comin& upon hea$s mo*in& alon& the roa$ #ithout %o$ies attache$2accompanie$ 3ercy for o*er a Fuarter of a mile causin& him e<Fuisite $iscomfort %y ma'in& su$$en runs at his face+ A #ell.aime$ stone settle$ this little misun$erstan$in& an$ 3ercy procee$e$ on his -ourney alone+ "e ha$ )au$ #ell in *ie# #hen to his surprise she left the roa$ an$ turne$ into the &ate of a house #hich stoo$ not far from the church+ 0or$ !elpher re&aine$ the roa$ an$ remaine$ there a puBBle$ man+ A $rea$ful thou&ht came to him that he mi&ht ha*e ha$ all this trou%le an$ an&uish for no reason+ :his house %ore the unmista'a%le stamp of a *icara&e+ )au$ coul$ ha*e no reason that #as not innocent for &oin& there+ "a$ he &one throu&h all this merely to see his sister payin& a *isit to a cler&ymanE :oo late it occurre$ to him that she mi&ht Fuite easily %e on *isitin& terms #ith the cler&y of 0ittle 4eetin&+ "e ha$ for&otten that he ha$ %een a#ay at /<for$ for many #ee's a perio$ of time in #hich )au$ fin$in& life in the country #ei&h upon her mi&ht easily ha*e intereste$ herself charita%ly in the life of this *illa&e+ "e pause$ irresolutely+ "e #as %affle$+ )au$ mean#hile ha$ run& the %ell+ (*er since loo'in& o*er her shoul$er she ha$ percei*e$ her %rother 3ercy $o$&in& a%out in the %ac'&roun$ her acti*e youn& min$ ha$

%een %usyin& itself #ith schemes for thro#in& him off the trail+ >he must see 9eor&e that mornin&+ >he coul$ not #ait another $ay %efore esta%lishin& communication %et#een herself an$ 9eoffrey+ !ut it #as not till she reache$ 0ittle 4eetin& that there occurre$ to her any plan that promise$ success+ A trim mai$ opene$ the $oor+ @Is the *icar inEA @Io miss+ "e #ent out half an hour %ac'+A )au$ #as as %affle$ for the moment as her %rother 3ercy no# leanin& a&ainst the *icara&e #all in a state of a$*ance$ e<haustion+ @/h $earGA she sai$+ :he mai$ #as sympathetic+ @)r+ =er&uson the curate miss he5s here if he #oul$ $o+A )au$ %ri&htene$+ @"e #oul$ $o splen$i$ly+ 4ill you as' him if I can see him for a momentEA @Jery #ell miss+ 4hat name pleaseEA @"e #on5t 'no# my name+ 4ill you please tell him that a la$y #ishes to see himEA @Ces miss+ 4on5t you step inEA :he front $oor close$ %ehin$ )au$+ >he follo#e$ the mai$ into the $ra#in&.room+ 3resently a youn& small curate entere$+ "e ha$ a #illin& %ene*olent face+ "e loo'e$ alert an$ helpful+ @Cou #ishe$ to see meEA @I am so sorry to trou%le you A sai$ )au$ roc'in& the youn& man in his trac's #ith a smile of $aBBlin& %rilliancy26@Io trou%le I assure you A sai$ the curate $iBBily72A%ut there is a man follo#in& meGA :he curate clic'e$ his ton&ue in$i&nantly+ @A rou&h sort of a tramp 'in$ of man+ "e has %een follo#in& me for miles an$ I5m fri&htene$+A @!ruteGA @I thin' he5s outsi$e no#+ I can5t thin' #hat he #ants+ 4oul$ you2#oul$ you min$ %ein& 'in$ enou&h to &o an$ sen$ him a#ayEA :he eyes that ha$ settle$ 9eor&e5s fate for all eternity flashe$ upon the curate #ho %lin'e$+ "e sFuare$ his shoul$ers an$ $re# himself up+ "e #as perfectly #illin& to $ie for her+ @If you #ill #ait here A he sai$ @I #ill &o an$ sen$ him a%out his %usiness+ It is $is&raceful that the pu%lic hi&h#ays shoul$ %e ren$ere$ unsafe in this manner+A @:han' you e*er so much A sai$ )au$ &ratefully+ @I can5t help thin'in& the poor fello# may %e a little craBy+ It seems so o$$ of him to follo# me all that #ay+ 4al'in& in the $itch tooGA @4al'in& in the $itchGA @Ces+ "e #al'e$ most of the #ay in the $itch at the si$e of the roa$+ "e seeme$ to prefer it+ I can5t thin' #hy+A 0or$ !elpher leanin& a&ainst the #all an$ tryin& to $eci$e #hether his ri&ht or left foot hurt him the more e<cruciatin&ly %ecame a#are that a curate #as stan$in& %efore him re&ar$in& him throu&h a pair of &ol$.rimme$ pince.neB #ith a $isappro*in& an$ hostile e<pression+ 0or$ !elpher returne$ his &aBe+ Ieither #as fa*oura%ly impresse$ %y the other+ 3ercy thou&ht he ha$ seen nicer.loo'in& curates an$ the curate thou&ht he ha$

seen more prepossessin& tramps+ @Come comeGA sai$ the curate+ @:his #on5t $o my manGA A fe# hours earlier 0or$ !elpher ha$ %een startle$ #hen a$$resse$ %y 9eor&e as @sirA+ :o %e calle$ @my manA too' his %reath a#ay completely+ :he &ift of seein& oursel*es as others see us is as the poet in$icates *ouchsafe$ to fe# men+ 0or$ !elpher not %ein& one of these fortunates ha$ not the sli&htest conception ho# intensely re*oltin& his personal appearance #as at that moment+ :he re$.rimme$ eyes the &ro#th of stu%%le on the chee's an$ the thic' coatin& of mu$ #hich ha$ resulte$ from his ram%les in the $itch com%ine$ to ren$er him a horrifyin& o%-ect+ @"o# $are you follo# that youn& la$yE I5*e a &oo$ min$ to &i*e you in char&eGA 3ercy #as outra&e$+ @I5m her %rotherGA "e #as a%out to su%stantiate the statement %y &i*in& his name %ut stoppe$ himself+ "e ha$ ha$ enou&h of lettin& his name come out on occasions li'e the present+ 4hen the policeman ha$ arreste$ him in the "aymar'et his first act ha$ %een to thun$er his i$entity at the man1 an$ the policeman #ithout sayin& in so many #or$s that he $is%elie*e$ him ha$ hinte$ scepticism %y replyin& that he himself #as the 'in& of !ri<ton+ @I5m her %rotherGA he repeate$ thic'ly+ :he curate5s $isappro*al $eepene$+ In a sense #e are all %rothersD %ut that $i$ not pre*ent him from consi$erin& that this mu$.staine$ $erelict ha$ ma$e an impu$ent an$ a%omina%le mis.statement of fact+ Iot unnaturally he came to the conclusion that he ha$ to $o #ith a *ictim of the Demon 8um+ @Cou ou&ht to %e ashame$ of yourself A he sai$ se*erely+ @>a$ piece of human #rec'a&e as you are you spea' li'e an e$ucate$ man+ "a*e you no self.respectE Do you ne*er search your heart an$ shu$$er at the horri%le $e&ra$ation #hich you ha*e %rou&ht on yourself %y sheer #ea'ness of #illEA "e raise his *oice+ :he su%-ect of :emperance #as one *ery near to the curate5s heart+ :he *icar himself ha$ complimente$ him only yester$ay on the &oo$ his sermons a&ainst the $rin' e*il #ere $oin& in the *illa&e an$ the lan$lor$ of the :hree 3i&eons $o#n the roa$ ha$ on se*eral occasions spo'en %itter thin&s a%out %li&hters #ho came ta'in& the li*in& a#ay from honest fol's+ @It is easy enou&h to stop if you #ill %ut use a little resolution+ Cou say to yourself H?ust one #on5t hurt meG5 3erhaps not+ !ut can you %e content #ith -ust oneE AhG Io my man there is no mi$$le #ay for such as you+ It must %e all or nothin&+ >top it no#2no# #hile you still retain some sem%lance of humanity+ >oon it #ill %e too lateG ;ill that cra*in&G >tifle itG >tran&le itG )a'e up your min$ no#2no# that not another $rop of the accurse$ stuff shall pass your lipsM+A :he curate pause$+ "e percei*e$ that enthusiasm #as lea$in& him a#ay from the main issue+ @A little perse*erance A he conclu$e$ rapi$ly @an$ you #ill soon fin$ that cocoa &i*es you e<actly the same pleasure+ An$ no# #ill you please %e &ettin& alon&+ Cou ha*e fri&htene$ the youn& la$y an$ she cannot continue her #al' unless I assure her that you ha*e &one a#ay+A =ati&ue pain an$ the annoyance of ha*in& to listen to this man5s #ell.meant %ut ill. -u$&e$ utterances ha$ com%ine$ to in$uce in 3ercy a con$ition %or$erin& on hysteria+ "e stampe$ his foot an$ uttere$ a ho#l as the %lister #arne$ him #ith a sharp t#in&e that this sort of %eha*iour coul$ not %e permitte$+ @>top tal'in&GA he %ello#e$+ @>top tal'in& li'e an i$iotG I5m &oin& to stay here till that

&irl comes out if ha*e to #ait all $ayGA :he curate re&ar$e$ 3ercy thou&htfully+ 3ercy #as no "ercules1 %ut then neither #as the curate+ An$ in any case thou&h no "ercules 3ercy #as un$enia%ly an u&ly.loo'in& %rute+ >trate&y rather than force seeme$ to the curate to %e in$icate$+ "e pause$ a #hile as one #ho #ei&hs pros an$ cons then spo'e %ris'ly #ith the air of the man #ho has $eci$e$ to yiel$ a point #ith a &oo$ &race+ @Dear $earGA he sai$+ @:hat #on5t $oG Cou say you are this youn& la$y5s %rotherEA @Ces I $oGA @:hen perhaps you ha$ %etter come #ith me into the house an$ #e #ill spea' to her+A @All ri&ht+A @=ollo# me+A 3ercy follo#e$ him+ Do#n the trim &ra*el #al' they passe$ an$ up the neat stone steps+ )au$ peepin& throu&h the curtains thou&ht herself the *ictim of a monstrous %etrayal or eFually monstrous %lun$er+ !ut she $i$ not 'no# the 8e*+ Cyril =er&uson+ Io &eneral a$roitly lea$in& the enemy on %y strate&ic retreat e*er ha$ a situation more thorou&hly in han$+ 3assin& #ith his companion throu&h the open $oor he crosse$ the hall to another $oor $iscreetly close$+ @4ait in here A he sai$+ 0or$ !elpher mo*e$ unsuspectin&ly for#ar$+ A han$ presse$ sharply a&ainst the small of his %ac'+ !ehin$ him a $oor slamme$ an$ a 'ey clic'e$+ "e #as trappe$+ 9ropin& in (&yptian $ar'ness his han$s met a coat then a hat then an um%rella+ :hen he stum%le$ o*er a &olf.clu% an$ fell a&ainst a #all+ It #as too $ar' to see anythin& %ut his sense of touch tol$ him all he nee$e$ to 'no#+ "e ha$ %een a$$e$ to the *icar5s collection of o$$s an$ en$s in the closet reser*e$ for that purpose+ "e &rope$ his #ay to the $oor an$ 'ic'e$ it+ "e $i$ not repeat the performance+ "is feet #ere in no shape for 'ic'in& thin&s+ 3ercy5s &allant soul a%an$one$ the stru&&le+ 4ith a fee%le oath he sat $o#n on a %o< containin& croFuet implements an$ &a*e himself up to thou&ht+ @Cou5ll %e Fuite safe no# A the curate #as sayin& in the a$-oinin& room not #ithout a touch of complacent self.appro*al such as %ecomes the *ictor in a %attle of #its+ @I ha*e loc'e$ him in the cup%oar$+ "e #ill %e Fuite happy there+A An incorrect statement this+ @Cou may no# continue your #al' in perfect safety+A @:han' you e*er so much A sai$ )au$+ @!ut I $o hope he #on5t %e *iolent #hen you let him out+A @I shall not let him out A replie$ the curate #ho thou&h %ra*e #as not rash+ @I shall $epute the tas' to a #orthy fello# name$ 4illis in #hom I shall ha*e e*ery confi$ence+ "e2he is in fact our local %lac'smithGA An$ so it came a%out that #hen after a *i&il that seeme$ to last for a lifetime 3ercy hear$ the 'ey turn in the loc' an$ %urst forth see'in& #hom he mi&ht $e*our he e<perience$ an almost instant Fuietin& of his e<cite$ ner*ous system+ Confrontin& him #as a *ast man #hose muscles li'e those of that other an$ more cele%rate$ *illa&e %lac'smith #ere plainly as stron& as iron %an$s+ :his man eye$ 3ercy #ith a chilly eye+ @4ell A he sai$+ @4hat5s trou%lin5 youEA 3ercy &ulpe$+ :he man5s mere appearance #as a se$ati*e+ @(r2nothin&GA he replie$+ @Iothin&GA @:here %etter ha$n5t %eGA sai$ the man $ar'ly+ @)r+ =er&uson &i*e me this to &i*e to

you+ :a'e itGA 3ercy too' it+ It #as a shillin&+ @An$ this+A :he secon$ &ift #as a small paper pamphlet+ It #as entitle$ @Io#5s the :imeGA an$ seeme$ to %e a story of some 'in$+ At any rate 3ercy5s eyes %efore they %e&an to s#im in a manner that pre*ente$ stea$y rea$in& cau&ht the #or$s @?o% 8o%erts ha$ al#ays %een a har$.$rin'in& man %ut one $ay as he #as comin& out of the %ar.parlour MA "e #as a%out to hurl it from him #hen he met the other5s eye an$ $esiste$+ 8arely ha$ 0or$ !elpher encountere$ a man #ith a more spea'in& eye+ @An$ no# you &et alon& A sai$ the man+ @Cou pop off+ An$ I5m &oin& to #atch you $o it too+ An$ if I fin$ you snea'in5 off to the :hree 3i&eons MA "is pause #as more eloFuent than his speech an$ nearly as eloFuent as his eye+ 0or$ !elpher tuc'e$ the tract into his s#eater poc'ete$ the shillin& an$ left the house+ =or nearly a mile $o#n the #ell.remem%ere$ hi&h#ay he #as a#are of a 3resence in his rear %ut he continue$ on his #ay #ithout a &lance %ehin$+ @0i'e one that on a lonely roa$ Doth #al' in fear an$ $rea$D An$ ha*in& once loo'e$ %ac' #al's on An$ turns no more his hea$G !ecause he 'no#s a fri&htful fien$ Doth close %ehin$ him trea$GA )au$ ma$e her #ay across the fiel$s to the cotta&e $o#n %y 3latt5s+ "er heart #as as li&ht as the %reeBe that ruffle$ the &reen he$&es+ 9aily she trippe$ to#ar$s the cotta&e $oor+ "er han$ #as -ust raise$ to 'noc' #hen from #ithin came the soun$ of a #ell. 'no#n *oice+ >he ha$ reache$ her &oal %ut her father ha$ anticipate$ her+ 0or$ )arshmoreton ha$ selecte$ the same moment as herself for payin& a call upon 9eor&e !e*an+ )au$ tiptoe$ a#ay an$ hurrie$ %ac' to the castle+ Ie*er %efore ha$ she so clearly realiBe$ #hat a han$icap an a$hesi*e family can %e to a youn& &irl+

Chapter 16
At the moment of 0or$ )arshmoreton5s arri*al 9eor&e #as rea$in& a letter from !illie Dore #hich ha$ come %y that mornin&5s post+ It $ealt mainly #ith the *icissitu$es e<perience$ %y )iss Dore5s frien$ )iss >inclair in her relations #ith the man >penser 9ray+ >penser 9ray it seeme$ ha$ %een %eha*in& o$$ly+ Ar$ent to#ar$s )iss >inclair almost to an em%arrassin& point in the early sta&es of their acFuaintance he ha$ su$$enly coole$D at a recent lunch ha$ %eha*e$ #ith a stran&e aloofnessD an$ no# at this #ritin& ha$ *anishe$ alto&ether lea*in& nothin& %ehin$ him %ut an a%rupt note to the effect that he ha$ %een compelle$ to &o a%roa$ an$ that much as it #as to %e re&rette$ he an$ she #oul$ pro%a%ly ne*er meet a&ain+ @An$ if A #rote )iss Dore -ustifia%ly annoye$ @after sayin& all those thin&s to the poor 'i$ an$ tellin& her she #as the only thin& in si&ht he thin's he can -ust sli$e off #ith a H9oo$.%yeG 9oo$ luc'G an$ 9o$ %less youG5 he5s &ot another &uess comin&+ An$ that5s not all+ "e hasn5t &one a%roa$G I sa# him in 3icca$illy this afternoon+ "e sa# me too an$ #hat $o you thin' he $i$E Duc'e$ $o#n a si$e.street if you please+ "e must ha*e run li'e a ra%%it at that %ecause #hen I &ot there he #as no#here to %e seen+ I tell you 9eor&e there5s somethin& funny a%out all this+A "a*in& %een ma$e once or t#ice %efore the confi$ant of the tempestuous romances of

!illie5s frien$s #hich al#ays seeme$ to &o #ron& some#here in the mi$$le an$ to $ie a natural $eath %efore arri*in& at any $efinite point 9eor&e #as not particularly intereste$ e<cept in so far as the letter affor$e$ rather comfortin& e*i$ence that he #as not the only person in the #orl$ #ho #as ha*in& trou%le of the 'in$+ "e s'imme$ throu&h the rest of it an$ ha$ -ust finishe$ #hen there #as a sharp rap at the front $oor+ @Come inGA calle$ 9eor&e+ :here entere$ a stur$y little man of mi$$le a&e #hom at first si&ht 9eor&e coul$ not place+ An$ yet he ha$ the impression that he ha$ seen him %efore+ :hen he reco&niBe$ him as the &ar$ener to #hom he ha$ &i*en the note for )au$ that $ay at the castle+ :he alteration in the man5s costume #as #hat ha$ momentarily %affle$ 9eor&e+ 4hen they ha$ met in the rose.&ar$en the other ha$ %een arraye$ in unti$y &ar$enin& clothes+ Io# presuma%ly in his >un$ay suit it #as amusin& to o%ser*e ho# almost $apper he ha$ %ecome+ 8eally you mi&ht ha*e passe$ him in the lane an$ ta'en him for some nei&h%ourin& sFuire+ 9eor&e5s heart race$+ Cour lo*er is e*er optimistic an$ he coul$ concei*e of no erran$ that coul$ ha*e %rou&ht this man to his cotta&e unless he #as char&e$ #ith the $eli*ery of a note from )au$+ "e spare$ a moment from his happiness to con&ratulate himself on ha*in& pic'e$ such an a$mira%le &o.%et#een+ "ere e*i$ently #as one of those trusty ol$ retainers you rea$ a%out faithful #illin& $iscreet rea$y to $o anythin& for @the little missyA 6%less her heartG7+ 3ro%a%ly he ha$ $ance$ )au$ on his 'nee in her infancy an$ #ith a $o&.li'e affection ha$ #atche$ her at her chil$ish sports+ 9eor&e %eame$ at the honest fello# an$ felt in his poc'et to ma'e sure that a suita%le tip lay safely therein+ @9oo$ mornin& A he sai$+ @9oo$ mornin& A replie$ the man+ A purist mi&ht ha*e sai$ he spo'e &ruffly an$ #ithout &eniality+ !ut that is the %eauty of these ol$ retainers+ :hey ma'e a point of $eli%erately tryin& to $ecei*e stran&ers as to the &ol$enness of their hearts %y a$optin& a for%i$$in& manner+ An$ @9oo$ mornin&GA Iot @9oo$ mornin& sirGA >tur$y in$epen$ence you o%ser*e as %efits a free man+ 9eor&e close$ the $oor carefully+ "e &lance$ into the 'itchen+ )rs+ 3latt #as not there+ All #as #ell+ @Cou ha*e %rou&ht a note from 0a$y )au$EA :he honest fello#5s rather $our e<pression seeme$ to &ro# a sha$e %lea'er+ @If you are allu$in& to 0a$y )au$ )arsh my $au&hter A he replie$ frostily @I ha*e notGA =or the past fe# $ays 9eor&e ha$ %een no stran&er to shoc's an$ ha$ in$ee$ come almost to re&ar$ them as part of the normal e*ery$ay lifeD %ut this latest one ha$ a stum%lin& effect+ @I %e& your par$onEA he sai$+ @>o you ou&ht to A replie$ the earl+ 9eor&e s#allo#e$ once or t#ice to relie*e a curious $ryness of the mouth+ @Are you 0or$ )arshmoretonEA @I am+A @9oo$ 0or$GA @Cou seem surprise$+A @It5s nothin&GA muttere$ 9eor&e+ @At least you2I mean to say M It5s only that there5s a curious resem%lance %et#een you an$ one of your &ar$eners at the castle+ I2I $aresay

you ha*e notice$ it yourself+A @)y ho%%y is &ar$enin&+A 0i&ht %ro'e upon 9eor&e+ @:hen #as it really you2EA @It #asGA 9eor&e sat $o#n+ @:his opens up a ne# line of thou&htGA he sai$+ 0or$ )arshmoreton remaine$ stan$in&+ "e shoo' his hea$ sternly+ @It #on5t $o )rM+ I ha*e ne*er hear$ your name+A @!e*an A replie$ 9eor&e rather relie*e$ at %ein& a%le to remem%er it in the mi$st of his mental turmoil+ @It #on5t $o )r+ !e*an+ It must stop+ I allu$e to this a%sur$ entan&lement %et#een yourself an$ my $au&hter+ It must stop at once+A It seeme$ to 9eor&e that such an entan&lement coul$ har$ly %e sai$ to ha*e %e&un %ut he $i$ not say so+ 0or$ )arshmoreton resume$ his remar's+ 0a$y Caroline ha$ sent him to the cotta&e to %e stern an$ his firm resol*e to %e stern lent his style of speech somethin& of the measure$ solemnity an$ careful phrasin& of his occasional orations in the "ouse of 0or$s+ @I ha*e no #ish to %e un$uly har$ upon the in$iscretions of Couth+ Couth is the perio$ of 8omance #hen the heart rules the hea$+ I myself #as once a youn& man+A @4ell you5re practically that no# A sai$ 9eor&e+ @(hEA crie$ 0or$ )arshmoreton for&ettin& the threa$ of his $iscourse in the shoc' of please$ surprise+ @Cou $on5t loo' a $ay o*er forty+A @/h come come my %oyG M I mean )r+ !e*an+A @Cou $on5t honestly+A @I5m forty.ei&ht+A @:he 3rime of 0ife+A @An$ you $on5t thin' I loo' itEA @Cou certainly $on5t+A @4ell #ell #ellG !y the #ay ha*e you to%acco my %oy+ I came #ithout my pouch+A @?ust at your el%o#+ 3retty &oo$ stuff+ I %ou&ht it in the *illa&e+A @:he same I smo'e myself+A @Nuite a coinci$ence+A @Distinctly+A @)atchEA @:han' you I ha*e one+A 9eor&e fille$ his o#n pipe+ :he thin& #as %ecomin& a lo*e.feast+ @4hat #as I sayin&EA sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton %lo#in& a comforta%le clou$+ @/h yes+A "e remo*e$ his pipe from his mouth #ith a touch of em%arrassment+ @Ces yes to %e sureGA :here #as an a#'#ar$ silence+ @Cou must see for yourself A sai$ the earl @ho# impossi%le it is+A 9eor&e shoo' his hea$+ @I may %e slo# at &raspin& a thin& %ut I5m %oun$ to say I can5t see that+A 0or$ )arshmoreton recalle$ some of the thin&s his sister ha$ tol$ him to say+ @=or one thin& #hat $o #e 'no# of youE Cou are a perfect stran&er+A

@4ell #e5re all &ettin& acFuainte$ pretty Fuic' $on5t you thin'E I met your son in 3icca$illy an$ ha$ a lon& tal' #ith him an$ no# you are payin& me a nei&h%ourly *isit+A @:his #as not inten$e$ to %e a social call+A @!ut it has %ecome one+A @An$ then that is one point I #ish to ma'e you 'no#+ /urs is an ol$ family I #oul$ li'e to remin$ you that there #ere )arshmoretons in !elpher %efore the 4ar of the 8oses+A @:here #ere !e*ans in !roo'lyn %efore the !+8+:+A @I %e& your par$onEA @I #as only pointin& out that I can trace my ancestry a lon& #ay+ Cou ha*e to trace thin&s a lon& #ay in !roo'lyn if you #ant to fin$ them+A @I ha*e ne*er hear$ of !roo'lyn+A @Cou5*e hear$ of Ie# Cor'EA @Certainly+A @Ie# Cor'5s one of the outlyin& su%ur%s+A 0or$ )arshmoreton relit his pipe+ "e ha$ a feelin& that they #ere #an$erin& from the point+ @It is Fuite impossi%le+A @I can5t see it+A @)au$ is so youn&+A @Cour $au&hter coul$ %e nothin& else+A @:oo youn& to 'no# her o#n min$ A pursue$ 0or$ )arshmoreton resolutely crushin& $o#n a flutter of pleasure+ :here #as no $ou%t that this sin&ularly a&reea%le man #as ma'in& thin&s *ery $ifficult for him+ It #as $isarmin& to $isco*er that he #as really capital company2the %est in$ee$ that the earl coul$ remem%er to ha*e $isco*ere$ in the more recent perio$ of his rather lonely life+ @At present of course she fancies that she is *ery much in lo*e #ith you M It is a%sur$GA @Cou nee$n5t tell me that A sai$ 9eor&e+ 8eally it #as only the fact that people seeme$ to &o out of their #ay to call at his cotta&e an$ tell him that )au$ lo*e$ him that 'ept him from feelin& his cause perfectly hopeless+ @It5s incre$i%le+ It5s a miracle+A @Cou are a romantic youn& man an$ you no $ou%t for the moment suppose that you are in lo*e #ith her+A @IoGA 9eor&e #as not &oin& to allo# a remar' li'e that to pass unchallen&e$+ @Cou are #ron& there+ As far as I am concerne$ there is no Fuestion of its %ein& momentary or supposititious or anythin& of that 'in$+ I am in lo*e #ith your $au&hter+ I #as from the first moment I sa# her+ I al#ays shall %e+ >he is the only &irl in the #orl$GA @>tuff an$ nonsenseGA @Iot at all+ A%solute col$ fact+A @Cou ha*e 'no#n her so little time+A @0on& enou&h+A 0or$ )arshmoreton si&he$+ @Cou are upsettin& thin&s terri%ly+A @:hin&s are upsettin& me terri%ly+A @Cou are causin& a &reat $eal of trou%le an$ annoyance+A @>o $i$ 8omeo+A @(hEA @I sai$2>o $i$ 8omeo+A

@I $on5t 'no# anythin& a%out 8omeo+A @As far as lo*e is concerne$ I %e&in #here he left off+A @I #ish I coul$ persua$e you to %e sensi%le+A @:hat5s -ust #hat I thin' I am+A @I #ish I coul$ &et you to see my point of *ie#+A @I $o see your point of *ie#+ !ut $imly+ Cou see my o#n ta'es up such a lot of the fore&roun$+A :here #as a pause+ @:hen I am afrai$ A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton @that #e must lea*e matters as they stan$+A @,ntil they can %e altere$ for the %etter+A @4e #ill say no more a%out it no#+A @Jery #ell+A @!ut I must as' you to un$erstan$ clearly that I shall ha*e to $o e*erythin& in my po#er to stop #hat I loo' on as an unfortunate entan&lement+A @I un$erstan$ A @Jery #ell+A 0or$ )arshmoreton cou&he$+ 9eor&e loo'e$ at him #ith some surprise+ "e ha$ suppose$ the inter*ie# to %e at an en$ %ut the other ma$e no mo*e to &o+ :here seeme$ to %e somethin& on the earl5s min$+ @:here is2ah2-ust one other thin& A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ "e cou&he$ a&ain+ "e felt em%arrasse$+ @?ust2-ust one other thin& A he repeate$+ :he reason for 0or$ )arshmoreton5s *isit to 9eor&e ha$ %een t#ofol$+ In the first place 0a$y Caroline ha$ tol$ him to &o+ :hat #oul$ ha*e %een reason enou&h+ !ut #hat ma$e the *isit imperati*e #as an unfortunate acci$ent of #hich he ha$ only that mornin& %een ma$e a#are+ It #ill %e remem%ere$ that !illie Dore ha$ tol$ 9eor&e that the &ar$ener #ith #hom she ha$ %ecome so frien$ly ha$ ta'en her name an$ a$$ress #ith a *ie# later on to sen$ her some of his roses+ :he scrap of paper on #hich this information ha$ %een #ritten #as no# lost+ 0or$ )arshmoreton ha$ %een huntin& for it since %rea'fast #ithout a*ail+ !illie Dore ha$ ma$e a $eci$e$ impression upon 0or$ )arshmoreton+ >he %elon&e$ to a type #hich he ha$ ne*er %efore encountere$ an$ it #as one #hich he ha$ foun$ more than a&reea%le+ "er 'no#le$&e of roses an$ the proper feelin& #hich she manifeste$ to#ar$s rose.&ro#in& as a life.#or' consoli$ate$ the earl5s li'in& for her+ Ie*er in his memory ha$ he come across so sensi%le an$ charmin& a &irlD an$ he ha$ loo'e$ for#ar$ #ith a sin&ular intensity to meetin& her a&ain+ An$ no# some too Bealous housemai$ ti$yin& up after the irritatin& manner of her species ha$ $estroye$ the only clue to her i$entity+ It #as not for some time after this $isco*ery that hope $a#ne$ a&ain for 0or$ )arshmoreton+ /nly after he ha$ &i*en up the search for the missin& paper as fruitless $i$ he recall that it #as in 9eor&e5s company that !illie ha$ first come into his life+ !et#een her then an$ himself 9eor&e #as the only lin'+ It #as primarily for the purpose of &ettin& !illie5s name an$ a$$ress from 9eor&e that he ha$ come to the cotta&e+ An$ no# that the moment ha$ arri*e$ for touchin& upon the su%-ect he felt a little em%arrasse$+ @4hen you *isite$ the castle A he sai$ @#hen you *isite$ the castle MA

@0ast :hurs$ay A sai$ 9eor&e helpfully+ @(<actly+ 4hen you *isite$ the castle last :hurs$ay there #as a youn& la$y #ith you+A Iot realiBin& that the su%-ect ha$ %een chan&e$ 9eor&e #as un$er the impression that the other ha$ shifte$ his front an$ #as a%out to attac' him from another an&le+ "e countere$ #hat seeme$ to him an insinuation stoutly+ @4e merely happene$ to meet at the castle+ >he came there Fuite in$epen$ently of me+A 0or$ )arshmoreton loo'e$ alarme$+ @Cou $i$n5t 'no# herEA he sai$ an<iously+ @Certainly I 'ne# her+ >he is an ol$ frien$ of mine+ !ut if you are hintin& MA @Iot at all A re-oine$ the earl profoun$ly relie*e$+ @Iot at all+ I as' merely %ecause this youn& la$y #ith #hom I ha$ some con*ersation #as &oo$ enou&h to &i*e me her name an$ a$$ress+ >he too happene$ to mista'e me for a &ar$ener+A @It5s those cor$uroy trousers A murmure$ 9eor&e in e<tenuation+ @I ha*e unfortunately lost them+A @Cou can al#ays &et another pair+A @(hEA @I say you can al#ays &et another pair of cor$uroy trousers+A @I ha*e not lost my trousers+ I ha*e lost the youn& la$y5s name an$ a$$ress+A @/hGA @I promise$ to sen$ her some roses+ >he #ill %e e<pectin& them+A @:hat5s o$$+ I #as -ust rea$in& a letter from her #hen you came in+ :hat must %e #hat she5s referrin& to #hen she says HIf you see $a$$a the ol$ $ear tell him not to for&et my roses+5 I rea$ it three times an$ coul$n5t ma'e any sense out of it+ Are you Da$$aEA :he earl smir'e$+ @>he $i$ a$$ress me in the course of our con*ersation as $a$$a+A @:hen the messa&e is for you+A @A *ery Fuaint an$ charmin& &irl+ 4hat is her nameE An$ #here can I fin$ herEA @"er name5s !illie Dore+A @!illieEA @!illie+A @!illieGA sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton softly+ @I ha$ %etter #rite it $o#n+ An$ her a$$ressEA @I $on5t 'no# her pri*ate a$$ress+ !ut you coul$ al#ays reach her at the 8e&al :heatre+A @AhG >he is on the sta&eEA @Ces+ >he5s in my piece H=ollo# the 9irl5+A @In$ee$G Are you a play#ri&ht )r+ !e*anEA @9oo$ 0or$ noGA sai$ 9eor&e shoc'e$+ @I5m a composer+A @Jery interestin&+ An$ you met )iss Dore throu&h her %ein& in this play of yoursEA @/h no+ I 'ne# her %efore she #ent on the sta&e+ >he #as a steno&rapher in a music. pu%lisher5s office #hen #e first met+A @9oo$ &raciousG 4as she really a steno&rapherEA @Ces+ 4hyEA @/h2ah2nothin& nothin&+ >omethin& -ust happene$ to come to my min$+A 4hat happene$ to come into 0or$ )arshmoreton5s min$ #as a fleetin& *ision of !illie installe$ in )iss Alice =ara$ay5s place as his secretary+ 4ith such a helper it #oul$ %e a pleasure to #or' on that infernal =amily "istory #hich #as no# such a %itter toil+ !ut the $ay.$ream passe$+ "e 'ne# perfectly #ell that he ha$ not the coura&e to $ismiss Alice+ In the han$s of that calm.eye$ &irl he #as as putty+ >he e<ercise$ o*er him the hypnotic

spell a lion.tamer e<ercises o*er his little playmates+ @4e ha*e %een pals for years A sai$ 9eor&e @!illie is one of the %est fello#s in the #orl$+A @A charmin& &irl+A @>he #oul$ &i*e her last nic'el to anyone that as'e$ for it+A @Deli&htfulGA @An$ as strai&ht as a strin&+ Io one e*er sai$ a #or$ a&ainst !illie+A @IoEA @>he may &o out to lunch an$ supper an$ all that 'in$ of thin& %ut there5s nothin& to that+A @Iothin&GA a&ree$ the earl #armly+ @9irls must eatGA @:hey $o+ Cou ou&ht to see them+A @A little harmless rela<ation after the fati&ue of the $ayGA @(<actly+ Iothin& more+A 0or$ )arshmoreton felt more $ra#n than e*er to this sensi%le youn& man2sensi%le at least on all points %ut one+ It #as a pity they coul$ not see eye to eye on #hat #as an$ #hat #as not suita%le in the matter of the lo*e.affairs of the aristocracy+ @>o you are a composer )r+ !e*anEA he sai$ affa%ly+ @Ces+A 0or$ )arshmoreton &a*e a little si&h+ @It5s a lon& time since I #ent to see a musical performance+ )ore than t#enty years+ 4hen I #as up at /<for$ an$ for some years after#ar$s I #as a &reat theatre.&oer+ Ie*er use$ to miss a first ni&ht at the 9aiety+ :hose #ere the $ays of Iellie =arren an$ ;ate Jau&han+ =lorence >t+ ?ohn too+ "o# e<cellent she #as in =aust ,p :o DateG !ut #e misse$ Iellie =arren+ )eyer 0utB #as the 9aiety composer then+ !ut a &oo$ $eal of #ater has flo#e$ un$er the %ri$&e since those $ays+ I $on5t suppose you ha*e e*er hear$ of )eyer 0utBEA @I $on5t thin' I ha*e+A @?ohnnie :oole #as playin& a piece calle$ 3artners+ Iot a &oo$ play+ An$ the Ceoman of the 9uar$ ha$ -ust %een pro$uce$ at the >a*oy+ :hat ma'es it seem a lon& time a&o $oesn5t itE 4ell I mustn5t ta'e up all your time+ 9oo$.%ye )r+ !e*an+ I am &la$ to ha*e ha$ the opportunity of this little tal'+ :he 8e&al :heatre I thin' you sai$ is #here your piece is playin&E I shall pro%a%ly %e &oin& to 0on$on shortly+ I hope to see it+A 0or$ )arshmoreton rose+ @As re&ar$s the other matter there is no hope of in$ucin& you to see the matter in the ri&ht li&htEA @4e seem to $isa&ree as to #hich is the ri&ht li&ht+A @:hen there is nothin& more to %e sai$+ I #ill %e perfectly fran' #ith you )r+ !e*an+ I li'e you MA @:he feelin& is Fuite mutual+A @!ut I $on5t #ant you as a son.in.la#+ An$ $ammit A e<plo$e$ 0or$ )arshmoreton @I #on5t ha*e you as a son.in.la#G 9oo$ 9o$G $o you thin' that you can harry an$ assault my son 3ercy in the heart of 3icca$illy an$ &enerally ma'e yourself a $amne$ nuisance an$ then settle $o#n here #ithout an in*itation at my *ery &ates an$ e<pect to %e #elcome$ into the %osom of the familyE If I #ere a youn& man MA @I thou&ht #e ha$ a&ree$ that you #ere a youn& man+A @Don5t interrupt meGA @I only sai$ MA

@I hear$ #hat you sai$+ =latteryGA @Iothin& of the 'in$+ :ruth+A 0or$ )arshmoreton melte$+ "e smile$+ @Coun& i$iotGA @4e a&ree there all ri&ht+A 0or$ )arshmoreton hesitate$+ :hen #ith a rush he un%osome$ himself an$ ma$e his o#n position on the matter clear+ @I 'no# #hat you5ll %e sayin& to yourself the moment my %ac' is turne$+ Cou5ll %e callin& me a sta&e hea*y father an$ an ol$ sno% an$ a num%er of other thin&s+ Don5t interrupt me $ammitG Cou #ill I tell youG An$ you5ll %e #ron&+ I $on5t thin' the )arshmoretons are fence$ off from the rest of the #orl$ %y some sort of $i*inity+ )y sister $oes+ 3ercy $oes+ !ut 3ercy5s an assG If e*er you fin$ yourself thin'in& $ifferently from my son 3ercy on any su%-ect con&ratulate yourself+ Cou5ll %e ri&ht+A @!ut MA @I 'no# #hat you5re &oin& to say+ 0et me finish+ If I #ere the only person concerne$ I #oul$n5t stan$ in )au$5s #ay #hoe*er she #ante$ to marry pro*i$e$ he #as a &oo$ fello# an$ li'ely to ma'e her happy+ !ut I5m not+ :here5s my sister Caroline+ :here5s a #hole cro#$ of silly cac'lin& fools2my sisters2my sons.in.la#2all the #hole pac' of themG If I $i$n5t oppose )au$ in this $amne$ infatuation she5s &ot for you2if I stoo$ %y an$ let her marry you2#hat $o you thin' #oul$ happen to meE2I5$ ne*er ha*e a moment5s peaceG :he #hole &a%%lin& pac' of them #oul$ %e at me sayin& I #as to %lame+ :here #oul$ %e ar&uments $iscussions family councilsG I hate ar&umentsG I loathe $iscussionsG =amily councils ma'e me sic'G I5m a peacea%le man an$ I li'e a Fuiet lifeG An$ $amme I5m &oin& to ha*e it+ >o there5s the thin& for you in letters of one sylla%le+ I $on5t o%-ect to you personally %ut I5m not &oin& to ha*e you %otherin& me li'e this+ I5ll a$mit freely that since I ha*e ma$e your acFuaintance I ha*e altere$ the unfa*oura%le opinion I ha$ forme$ of you from.from hearsayMA @(<actly the same #ith me A sai$ 9eor&e+ @Cou ou&ht ne*er to %elie*e #hat people tell you+ (*eryone tol$ me your mi$$le name #as Iero an$ thatMA @Don5t interrupt meGA @I #asn5t+ I #as -ust pointin& out MA @!e FuietG I say I ha*e chan&e$ my opinion of you to a &reat e<tent+ I mention this unofficially as a matter that has no %earin& on the main issueD for as re&ar$s any i$ea you may ha*e of in$ucin& me to a&ree to your marryin& my $au&hter let me tell you that I am unaltera%ly oppose$ to any such thin&GA @Don5t say that+A @4hat the $e*il $o you mean2$on5t say thatG I $o say thatG It is out of the Fuestion+ Do you un$erstan$E Jery #ell then+ 9oo$ mornin&+A :he $oor close$+ 0or$ )arshmoreton #al'e$ a#ay feelin& that he ha$ %een commen$a%ly stern+ 9eor&e fille$ his pipe an$ sat smo'in& thou&htfully+ "e #on$ere$ #hat )au$ #as $oin& at that moment+ )au$ at that moment #as &reetin& her %rother #ith a %ri&ht smile as he limpe$ $o#nstairs after a %elate$ sha*e an$ chan&e of costume+ @/h 3ercy $ear A she #as sayin& @I ha$ Fuite an a$*enture this mornin&+ An a#ful tramp follo#e$ me for milesG >uch a horri%le.loo'in& %rute+ I #as so fri&htene$ that I ha$ to as' a curate in the ne<t *illa&e to $ri*e him a#ay+ I $i$ #ish I ha$ ha$ you there to

protect me+ 4hy $on5t you come out #ith me sometimes #hen I ta'e a country #al'E It really isn5t safe for me to %e aloneGA

Chapter 17
:he &ift of hi$in& pri*ate emotion an$ 'eepin& up appearances %efore stran&ers is not as many suppose entirely a pro$uct of our mo$ern ci*iliBation+ Centuries %efore #e #ere %orn or thou&ht of there #as a #i$ely press.a&ente$ %oy in >parta #ho e*en #ent so far as to let a fo< &na# his ten$er youn& stomach #ithout permittin& the $iscomfort insepara%le from such a procee$in& to interfere #ith either his facial e<pression or his flo# of small tal'+ "istorians ha*e han$e$ it $o#n that e*en in the later sta&es of the meal the polite la$ continue$ to %e the life an$ soul of the party+ !ut #hile this feat may %e sai$ to ha*e esta%lishe$ a recor$ ne*er su%seFuently lo#ere$ there is no $ou%t that almost e*ery $ay in mo$em times men an$ #omen are performin& similar an$ scarcely less impressi*e miracles of self.restraint+ /f all the Fualities #hich %elon& e<clusi*ely to )an an$ are not share$ %y the lo#er animals this surely is the one #hich mar's him off most sharply from the %easts of the fiel$+ Animals care nothin& a%out 'eepin& up appearances+ /%ser*e !ertram the !ull #hen thin&s are not &oin& -ust as he coul$ #ish+ "e stamps+ "e snorts+ "e pa#s the &roun$+ "e thro#s %ac' his hea$ an$ %ello#s+ "e is upset an$ he $oesn5t care #ho 'no#s it+ Instances coul$ %e rea$ily multiplie$+ Deposit a char&e of shot in some outlyin& section of :homas the :i&er an$ note the effect+ Irritate 4ilfre$ the 4asp or stan$ %ehin$ )au$ the )ule an$ pro$ her #ith a pin+ :here is not an animal on the list #ho has e*en a ru$imentary sense of the social amenitiesD an$ it is this more than anythin& else #hich shoul$ ma'e us prou$ that #e are human %ein&s on a loftier plane of $e*elopment+ In the $ays #hich follo#e$ 0or$ )arshmoreton5s *isit to 9eor&e at the cotta&e not a fe# of the occupants of !elpher Castle ha$ their mettle sternly teste$ in this respectD an$ it is a pleasure to %e a%le to recor$ that not one of them faile$ to come throu&h the or$eal #ith success+ :he &eneral pu%lic as represente$ %y the uncles cousins an$ aunts #ho ha$ $escen$e$ on the place to help 0or$ !elpher cele%rate his comin&.of.a&e ha$ not a notion that turmoil lur'e$ %ehin$ the smooth fronts of at least half a $oBen of those #hom they met in the course of the $aily roun$+ 0or$ !elpher for e<ample thou&h he limpe$ rather painfully sho#e$ nothin& of the %affle$ fury #hich #as re$ucin& his #ei&ht at the rate of ounces a $ay+ "is uncle =rancis the !ishop #hen he tac'le$ him in the &ar$en on the su%-ect of Intemperance2for ,ncle =rancis li'e thousan$s of others ha$ ta'en it for &rante$ on rea$in& the report of the encounter #ith the policeman an$ 3ercy5s su%seFuent arrest that the affair ha$ %een the result of a $run'en out%urst2ha$ no in'lin& of the *olcanic emotions that seethe$ in his nephe#5s %osom+ "e came a#ay from the inter*ie# in$ee$ feelin& that the %oy ha$ listene$ attenti*ely an$ #ith a %ecomin& re&ret an$ that there #as hope for him after all pro*i$e$ that he fou&ht the impulse+ "e little 'ne# that %ut for the con*entions 6#hich fro#n on the practice of mur$erin& %ishops7 3ercy #oul$ &la$ly ha*e stran&le$ him #ith his %are han$s an$ -umpe$ upon the remains+ 0or$ !elpher5s case inasmuch as he too' himself e<tremely seriously an$ #as not one of those #ho can e<tract humour e*en from their o#n misfortunes #as perhaps the har$est #hich comes un$er our noticeD %ut his sister )au$ #as also e<periencin& mental

$isFuietu$e of no mean or$er+ (*erythin& ha$ &one #ron& #ith )au$+ !arely a mile separate$ her from 9eor&e that essential lin' in her chain of communication #ith 9eoffrey 8aymon$D %ut so thic'ly $i$ it %ristle #ith o%stacles an$ $an&ers that it mi&ht ha*e %een a mile of Io )an5s 0an$+ :#ice since the occasion #hen the $isco*ery of 0or$ )arshmoreton at the cotta&e ha$ cause$ her to a%an$on her purpose of &oin& in an$ e<plainin& e*erythin& to 9eor&e ha$ she attempte$ to ma'e the -ourneyD an$ each time some triflin& ma$$enin& acci$ent ha$ %rou&ht a%out failure+ /nce -ust as she #as startin& her aunt Au&usta ha$ insiste$ on -oinin& her for #hat she $escri%e$ as @a nice lon& #al'AD an$ the secon$ time #hen she #as #ithin a %are hun$re$ yar$s of her o%-ecti*e some sort of a cousin poppe$ out from no#here an$ force$ his loathsome company on her+ =oile$ in this fashion she ha$ fallen %ac' in $esperation on her secon$ line of attac'+ >he ha$ #ritten a note to 9eor&e e<plainin& the #hole situation in &oo$ clear phrases an$ %e&&in& him as a man of pro*e$ chi*alry to help her+ It ha$ ta'en up much of one afternoon this note for it #as not easy to #riteD an$ it ha$ resulte$ in nothin&+ >he ha$ &i*en it to Al%ert to $eli*er an$ Al%ert ha$ returne$ empty.han$e$+ @:he &entleman sai$ there #as no ans#er m5la$yGA @Io ans#erG !ut there must %e an ans#erGA @Io ans#er m5la$y+ :hose #as his *ery #or$s A stoutly maintaine$ the %lac'.soule$ %oy #ho ha$ $estroye$ the letter #ithin t#o minutes after it ha$ %een han$e$ to him+ "e ha$ not e*en %othere$ to rea$ it+ A $eep $an&erous $astar$ly striplin& this #ho fou&ht to #in an$ only to #in+ :he tic'et mar'e$ @8+ !yn&A #as in his poc'et an$ in his ruthless heart a firm resol*e that 8+ !yn& an$ no other shoul$ ha*e the %enefit of his assistance+ )au$ coul$ not un$erstan$ it+ :hat is to say she resolutely 'ept herself from acceptin& the only e<planation of the episo$e that seeme$ possi%le+ In %lac' an$ #hite she ha$ as'e$ 9eor&e to &o to 0on$on an$ see 9eoffrey an$ arran&e for the passa&e2throu&h himself as a sort of clearin&.house2of letters %et#een 9eoffrey an$ herself+ >he ha$ felt from the first that such a reFuest shoul$ %e ma$e %y her in person an$ not throu&h the me$ium of #ritin& %ut surely it #as incre$i%le that a man li'e 9eor&e #ho ha$ %een throu&h so much for her an$ #hose only reason for %ein& in the nei&h%ourhoo$ #as to help her coul$ ha*e col$ly refuse$ #ithout e*en a #or$+ An$ yet #hat else #as she to thin'E Io# more than e*er she felt alone in a hostile #orl$+ Cet to her &uests she #as %ri&ht an$ entertainin&+ Iot one of them ha$ a suspicion that her life #as not one of pure sunshine+ Al%ert I am happy to say #as thorou&hly misera%le+ :he little %rute #as sufferin& torments+ "e #as sho#erin& anonymous A$*ice to the 0o*elorn on 8e&&ie !yn&2 e<cellent stuff culle$ from the pa&es of #ee'ly papers of #hich there #as a pile in the house'eeper5s room the property of a sentimental la$y5s mai$2an$ nothin& seeme$ to come of it+ (*ery $ay sometimes t#ice an$ thrice a $ay he #oul$ lea*e on 8e&&ie5s $ressin&.ta%le si&nificant notes similar in tone to the one #hich he ha$ place$ there on the ni&ht of the %allD %ut for all the effect they appeare$ to e<ercise on their recipient they mi&ht ha*e %een %lan' pa&es+ :he choicest Fuotations from the #or's of such esta%lishe$ #riters as @Aunt CharlotteA of =or&et.)e.Iot an$ @Doctor Cupi$A the heart.e<pert of "ome Chat e<pen$e$ themsel*es fruitlessly on 8e&&ie+ As far as Al%ert coul$ ascertain2an$ he #as one of

those %oys #ho ascertain practically e*erythin& #ithin a ra$ius of miles28e&&ie positi*ely a*oi$e$ )au$5s society+ An$ this after rea$in& @Doctor Cupi$5sA in*alua%le tip a%out @>ee'in& her company on all occasionsA an$ the $ictum of @Aunt CharlotteA to the effect that @)any a #ooer has #on his la$y %y %ein& persistentA2Al%ert spelle$ it @persistuentA %ut the effect is the same2Aan$ ren$erin& himself in$ispensa%le %y constant little attentionsA+ >o far from ren$erin& himself in$ispensa%le to )au$ %y constant little attentions 8e&&ie to the $is&ust of his %ac'er an$ supporter seeme$ to spen$ most of his time #ith Alice =ara$ay+ /n three separate occasions ha$ Al%ert %een re*olte$ %y the si&ht of his prote&e in close association #ith the =ara$ay &irl2once in a %oat on the la'e an$ t#ice in his &rey car+ It #as enou&h to %rea' a %oy5s heartD an$ it completely spoile$ Al%ert5s appetite2a phenomenon attri%ute$ I am &la$ to say in the >er*ants5 "all to reaction from recent e<cesses+ :he moment #hen ;e&&s the %utler calle$ him a &ree$y little pi& an$ hope$ it #oul$ %e a lesson to him not to stuff himself at all hours #ith stolen ca'es #as a %itter moment for Al%ert+ It is a relief to turn from the contemplation of these torture$ souls to the pleasanter picture presente$ %y 0or$ )arshmoreton+ "ere un$enia%ly #e ha*e a man #ithout a secret sorro# a man at peace #ith this %est of all possi%le #orl$s+ >ince his *isit to 9eor&e a secon$ youth seems to ha*e come upon 0or$ )arshmoreton+ "e #or's in his rose.&ar$en #ith a ne# *im #histlin& or e*en sin&in& to himself stray &ay snatches of melo$ies popular in the Hei&hties+ "ear him no# as he toils+ "e has a lon& &ar$en.implement in his han$ an$ he is sen$in& up the $eath.rate in slu& circles #ith a $e*astatin& rapi$ity+ @:a.ra.ra %oom.$e.ay :a.ra.ra !//)2A An$ the %oom is a $eath.'nell+ As it rin&s softly out on the pleasant sprin& air another stout slu& has ma$e the 9reat Chan&e+ It is peculiar this &aiety+ It &i*es one to thin'+ /thers ha*e notice$ it his lor$ship5s *alet amon&st them+ @I &i*e you my honest #or$ )r+ ;e&&s A says the *alet a#e$ @this *ery mornin& I Hear$ the ol$ $e*il a.sin&in& in His %arthG Chirrupin& a#ay li'e a %loomin& linnetGA @0orGA says ;e&&s properly impresse$+ @An$ only last ni&ht He &a*e me Harf a %o< of ci&ars an$ sai$ I #as a &oo$ faithful fellerG I tell you there5s somethin5 happene$ to the ol$ %uster2you mar' my #or$sGA

Chapter 1
/*er this comple< situation the min$ of ;e&&s the %utler playe$ li'e a searchli&ht+ ;e&&s #as a man of $iscernment an$ sa&acity+ "e ha$ instinct an$ reasonin& po#er+ Instinct tol$ him that )au$ all unsuspectin& the chan&e that ha$ ta'en place in Al%ert5s attitu$e to#ar$ her romance #oul$ ha*e continue$ to use the %oy as a lin' %et#een herself an$ 9eor&e1 an$ reason a$$e$ to an intimate 'no#le$&e of Al%ert ena%le$ him to see that the latter must ine*ita%ly ha*e %etraye$ her trust+ "e #as prepare$ to %et a hun$re$ poun$s that Al%ert ha$ %een &i*en letters to $eli*er an$ ha$ $estroye$ them+ >o much #as clear to ;e&&s+ It only remaine$ to settle on some plan of action #hich #oul$ re.esta%lish the %ro'en connection+ ;e&&s $i$ not conceal a ten$er heart %eneath a ru&&e$ e<terior1 he $i$ not mourn o*er the picture of t#o lo*in& fello# human %ein&s separate$

%y a misun$erstan$in&D %ut he $i$ #ant to #in that s#eepsta'e+ "is position of course #as $elicate+ "e coul$ not &ot to )au$ an$ %e& her to confi$e in him+ )au$ #oul$ not un$erstan$ his moti*es an$ mi&ht leap to the not un-ustifia%le conclusion that he ha$ %een at the sherry+ IoG )en #ere easier to han$le than #omen+ As soon as his $uties #oul$ permit2an$ in the present cro#$e$ con$ition of the house they #ere ar$uous2he set out for 9eor&e5s cotta&e+ @I trust I $o not $istur% or interrupt you sir A he sai$ %eamin& in the $oor#ay li'e a %ene*olent hi&h priest+ "e ha$ $offe$ his professional manner of austere $isappro*al as #as his Custom in moments of leisure+ @Iot at all A replie$ 9eor&e puBBle$+ @4as there anythin& MEA @:here #as sir+A @Come alon& in an$ sit $o#n+A @I #oul$ not ta'e the li%erty if it is all the same to you sir+ I #oul$ prefer to remain stan$in&+A :here #as a moment of uncomforta%le silence+ ,ncomforta%le that is to say on the part of 9eor&e #ho #as #on$erin& if the %utler remem%ere$ ha*in& en&a&e$ him as a #aiter only a fe# ni&hts %ac'+ ;e&&s himself #as at his ease+ =e# thin&s ruffle$ this man+ @=ine $ay A sai$ 9eor&e+ @(<tremely sir %ut for the rain+A @/h is it rainin&EA @>harp $o#npour sir+A @9oo$ for the crops A sai$ 9eor&e+ @>o one #oul$ %e $ispose$ to ima&ine sir+A >ilence fell a&ain+ :he rain $rippe$ from the ea*es+ @If I mi&ht spea' freely sir+++EA sai$ ;e&&s+ @>ure+ >hootGA @I %e& your par$on sirEA @I mean yes+ 9o ahea$GA :he %utler cleare$ his throat+ @)i&ht I %e&in %y remar'in& that your little affair of the Heart if I may use the e<pression is no secret in the >er*ants5 HAllE I Ha*e no #ish to seem to %e ta'in& a li%erty or presumin& %ut I shoul$ li'e to intimate that the >er*ants5 HAll is a#are of the facts+A @Cou $on5t ha*e to tell me that A sai$ 9eor&e col$ly+ @I 'no# all a%out the s#eepsta'e+A A flic'er of em%arrassment passe$ o*er the %utler5s lar&e smooth face2passe$ an$ #as &one+ @I $i$ not 'no# that you Ha$ %een apprise$ of that little matter sir+ !ut you #ill $ou%tless un$erstan$ an$ appreciate our point of *ie#+ A little sportin& flutter2nothin& more2$esi&ne$ to halle*iate the monotony of life in the country+A @/h $on5t apolo&iBe A sai$ 9eor&e an$ #as remin$e$ of a point #hich ha$ e<ercise$ him a little from time to time since his *i&il on the %alcony+ @!y the #ay if it isn5t &i*in& a#ay secrets #ho $re# 3lummerEA @>irEA @4hich of you $re# a man name$ 3lummer in the s#eepEA @I rather fancy sir A ;e&&s5 %ro# #rin'le$ in thou&ht @I rather fancy it #as one of the

*isitin& &entlemen5s &entlemen+ I &a*e the point %ut sli&ht attention at the time+ I $i$ not fancy )r+ 3lummer5s chances+ It seeme$ to me that )r+ 3lummer #as a ne&li&i%le Fuantity+A @Cour 'no#le$&e of form #as soun$+ 3lummer5s outGA @In$ee$ sirG An amia%le youn& &entleman %ut lac'in& in many of the essential Fualities+ 3erhaps he struc' you that #ay sirEA @I ne*er met him+ Iearly %ut not FuiteGA @It entere$ my min$ that you mi&ht possi%ly ha*e encountere$ )r+ 3lummer on the ni&ht of the %all sir+A @Ah I #as #on$erin& if you remem%ere$ meGA @I remem%er you perfectly sir an$ it #as the fact that #e ha$ alrea$y met in #hat one mi&ht almost term a social #ay that em%ol$ene$ me to come Here to$ay an$ offer you my ser*ices as a hinterme$iary shoul$ you feel $ispose$ to a*ail yourself of them+A 9eor&e #as puBBle$+ @Cour ser*icesEA @3recisely sir+ I fancy I am in a position to len$ you #hat mi&ht %e terme$ an Helpin& Han$+A @!ut that5s remar'a%ly altruistic of you isn5t itEA @>irEA @I say that is *ery &enerous of you+ Aren5t you for&ettin& that you $re# )r+ !yn&EA :he %utler smile$ in$ul&ently+ @Cou are not Fuite a%reast of the pro&ress of e*ents sir+ >ince the ori&inal $ra#in& of names there Has %een a triflin& ha$-ustment+ :he %oy Al%ert no# Has )r+ !yn& an$ I Ha*e you sir+ A little amica%le arran&ement informally con$ucte$ in the scullery on the ni&ht of the %all+A @Amica%leEA @/n my part entirely so+A 9eor&e %e&an to un$erstan$ certain thin&s that ha$ %een perple<in& to him+ @:hen all this #hileMEA @3recisely sir+ All this #hile Her la$yship un$er the impression that the %oy Al%ert #as $e*ote$ to Her cause has no $ou%t %een placin& a mis&ui$e$ confi$ence in Him M :he little %li&hterGA sai$ ;e&&s a%an$onin& for a moment his company manners an$ permittin& *ehemence to ta'e the place of polish+ @I %e& your par$on for the e<pression sir A he a$$e$ &racefully+ @It escape$ me ina$*ertently+A @Cou thin' that 0a$y )au$ &a*e Al%ert a letter to &i*e to me an$ that he $estroye$ itEA @>uch I shoul$ ima&ine must un$ou%te$ly ha*e %een the case+ :he %oy Has no scruples no scruples #hatsoe*er+A @9oo$ 0or$GA @I appreciate your consternation sir+A @:hat must %e e<actly #hat has happene$+A @:o my #ay of thin'in& there is no $ou%t of it+ It #as for that reason that I *enture$ to come Here+ In the Hope that I mi&ht %e hinstrumental in arran&in& a meetin&+A :he stron& $istaste #hich 9eor&e ha$ ha$ for plottin& #ith this o*erfe$ menial %e&an to #ane+ It mi&ht %e un$i&nifie$ he tol$ himself %ut it #as un$enia%ly practical+ An$ after all a man #ho has plotte$ #ith pa&e.%oys has little $i&nity to lose %y plottin& #ith

%utlers+ "e %ri&htene$ up+ If it meant seein& )au$ a&ain he #as prepare$ to #ai*e the $ecencies+ @4hat $o you su&&estEA he sai$+ @It %ein& a rainy e*enin& an$ e*eryone in$oors playin& &ames an$ #hat not A2;e&&s #as amia%ly tolerant of the recreations of the aristocracy2Ayou #oul$ e<perience little chance of a hinterruption #ere you to procee$ to the lane outsi$e the heast entrance of the castle &roun$s an$ #ait there+ Cou #ill fin$ in the fiel$ at the roa$si$e a small $isuse$ %arn only a short #ay from the &ates #here you #oul$ %e sheltere$ from the rain+ In the meantime I #oul$ hinform Her la$yship of your mo*ements an$ no $ou%t it #oul$ %e possi%le for Her to slip off+A @It soun$s all ri&ht+A @It is all ri&ht sir+ :he chances of a hinterruption may %e sai$ to %e re$uce$ to a minimum+ >hall #e say in one hour5s timeEA @Jery #ell+A @:hen I #ill #ish you &oo$ e*enin& sir+ :han' you sir+ I am &la$ to Ha*e %een of assistance+A "e #ith$re# as he ha$ come #ith a lar&e impressi*eness+ :he room seeme$ *ery empty #ithout him+ 9eor&e #ith trem%lin& fin&ers %e&an to put on a pair of thic' %oots+ =or some minutes after he ha$ set foot outsi$e the $oor of the cotta&e 9eor&e #as incline$ to re*ile the #eather for ha*in& playe$ him false+ /n this e*enin& of all e*enin&s he felt the elements shoul$ so to spea' ha*e rallie$ roun$ an$ $one their %it+ :he air shoul$ ha*e %een soft an$ clear an$ scente$1 there shoul$ ha*e %een an after&lo# of sunset in the s'y to li&ht him on his #ay+ Instea$ the air #as full of that peculiar smell of hopeless $ampness #hich comes at the en$ of a #et (n&lish $ay+ :he s'y #as lea$en+ :he rain hisse$ $o#n in a stea$y flo# #hisperin& of mu$ an$ $esolation ma'in& a $reary morass of the lane throu&h #hich he trampe$+ A curious sense of fore%o$in& came upon 9eor&e+ It #as as if some *oice of the ni&ht ha$ murmure$ maliciously in his ear a hint of trou%les to come+ "e felt o$$ly ner*ous as he entere$ the %arn+ :he %arn #as %oth $ar' an$ $ismal+ In one of the $ar' corners an intermittent $rippin& %etraye$ the presence of a &ap in its ancient roof+ A rat scurrie$ across the floor+ :he $rippin& stoppe$ an$ %e&an a&ain+ 9eor&e struc' a match an$ loo'e$ at his #atch+ "e #as early+ Another ten minutes must elapse %efore he coul$ hope for her arri*al+ "e sat $o#n on a %ro'en #a&on #hich lay on its si$e a&ainst one of the #alls+ Depression returne$+ It #as impossi%le to fi&ht a&ainst it in this %east of a %arn+ :he place #as li'e a sepulchre+ Io one %ut a fool of a %utler #oul$ ha*e su&&este$ it as a trystin&.place+ "e #on$ere$ irrita%ly #hy places li'e this #ere allo#e$ to &et into this con$ition+ If people #ante$ a %arn earnestly enou&h to ta'e the trou%le of %uil$in& one #hy #as it not #orth #hile to 'eep the thin& in proper repairE 4aste an$ futilityG :hat #as #hat it #as+ :hat #as #hat e*erythin& #as if you came $o#n to it+ >ittin& here for instance #as a futile #aste of time+ >he #oul$n5t come+ :here #ere a $oBen reasons #hy she shoul$ not come+ >o #hat #as the use of his courtin& rheumatism %y #aitin& in this mor&ue of $ea$ a&ricultural am%itionsE Ione #hate*er29eor&e #ent on #aitin&+ An$ #hat an a#ful place to e<pect her to come to if %y some miracle she $i$ come2 #here she #oul$ %e stifle$ %y the smell of moul$y hay $ampe$ %y rain$rops an$2 reflecte$ 9eor&e &loomily as there #as another scurry an$ scutter alon& the unseen floor 2&na#e$ %y rats+ Cou coul$ not e<pect a $elicately.nurture$ &irl accustome$ to all the

comforts of a home to %e %ri&ht an$ sunny #ith a platoon of rats cra#lin& all o*er herM+ :he &rey o%lon& that #as the $oor#ay su$$enly $ar'ene$+ @)r+ !e*anGA 9eor&e spran& up+ At the soun$ of her *oice e*ery ner*e in his %o$y $ance$ in ma$ e<hilaration+ "e #as another man+ Depression fell from him li'e a &arment+ "e percei*e$ that he ha$ mis-u$&e$ all sorts of thin&s+ :he e*enin& for instance #as a splen$i$ e*enin&2not one of those a#ful $ry %a'in& e*enin&s #hich ma'e you feel you can5t %reathe %ut pleasantly moist an$ full of a $eli&htfully musical patter of rain+ An$ the %arnG "e ha$ %een all #ron& a%out the %arn+ It #as a &reat little place comforta%le airy an$ cheerful+ 4hat coul$ %e more in*i&oratin& than that smell of hayE (*en the rats he felt must %e pretty $ecent rats #hen you came to 'no# them+ @I5m hereGA )au$ a$*ance$ Fuic'ly+ "is eyes ha$ &ro#n accustome$ to the mur' an$ he coul$ see her $imly+ :he smell of her $amp raincoat came to him li'e a %reath of oBone+ "e coul$ e*en see her eyes shinin& in the $ar'ness so close #as she to him+ @I hope you5*e not %een #aitin& lon&EA 9eor&e5s heart #as thun$erin& a&ainst his ri%s+ "e coul$ scarcely spea'+ "e contri*e$ to emit a Io+ @I $i$n5t thin' at first I coul$ &et a#ay+ I ha$ to MA >he %ro'e off #ith a cry+ :he rat fon$ of e<ercise li'e all rats ha$ ma$e another of its e<cita%le sprints across the floor+ A han$ clutche$ ner*ously at 9eor&e5s arm foun$ it an$ hel$ it+ An$ at the touch the last small fra&ment of 9eor&e5s self.control fle$ from him+ :he #orl$ %ecame *a&ue an$ unreal+ :here remaine$ of it %ut one soli$ fact2the fact that )au$ #as in his arms an$ that he #as sayin& a num%er of thin&s *ery rapi$ly in a *oice that seeme$ to %elon& to some%o$y he ha$ ne*er met %efore+

Chapter 1!
4ith a shoc' of $ismay so a%rupt an$ o*er#helmin& that it #as li'e a physical in-ury 9eor&e %ecame a#are that somethin& #as #ron&+ (*en as he &rippe$ her )au$ ha$ stiffene$ #ith a sharp cryD an$ no# she #as stru&&lin& tryin& to #rench herself free+ >he %ro'e a#ay from him+ "e coul$ hear her %reathin& har$+ @Cou2youLA >he &ulpe$+ @)au$GA @"o# $are youGA :here #as a pause that seeme$ to 9eor&e to stretch on an$ on en$lessly+ :he rain pattere$ on the leafy roof+ >ome#here in the $istance a $o& ho#le$ $ismally+ :he $ar'ness presse$ $o#n li'e a %lan'et stiflin& thou&ht+ @9oo$ ni&ht )r+ !e*an+A "er *oice #as ice+ @I $i$n5t thin' you #ere2that 'in$ of man+A >he #as mo*in& to#ar$ the $oorD an$ as she reache$ it 9eor&e5s stupor left him+ "e came %ac' to life #ith a -er' sha'in& from hea$ to foot+ All his *arie$ emotions ha$ %ecome one emotion2a col$ fury+ @>topGA )au$ stoppe$+ "er chin #as tilte$ an$ she #as #astin& a %aleful &lare on the $ar'ness+ @4ell #hat is itEA

"er tone increase$ 9eor&e5s #rath+ :he in-ustice of it ma$e him $iBBy+ At that moment he hate$ her+ "e #as the in-ure$ party+ It #as he not she that ha$ %een $ecei*e$ an$ ma$e a fool of+ @I #ant to say somethin& %efore you &o+A @I thin' #e ha$ %etter say no more a%out itGA !y the e<ercise of supreme self.control 9eor&e 'ept himself from spea'in& until he coul$ choose mil$er #or$s than those that rushe$ to his lips+ @I thin' #e #illGA he sai$ %et#een his teeth+ )au$5s an&er %ecame tin&e$ #ith surprise+ Io# that the first shoc' of the #retche$ episo$e #as o*er the calmer half of her min$ #as en$ea*ourin& to soothe the infuriate$ half %y ur&in& that 9eor&e5s %eha*iour ha$ %een %ut a momentary lapse an$ that a man may lose his hea$ for one #il$ instant an$ yet remain fun$amentally a &entleman an$ a frien$+ >he ha$ %e&un to remin$ herself that this man ha$ helpe$ her once in trou%le an$ only a $ay or t#o %efore ha$ actually ris'e$ his life to sa*e her from em%arrassment+ 4hen she hear$ him call to her to stop she suppose$ that his %etter feelin&s ha$ reasserte$ themsel*esD an$ she ha$ prepare$ herself to recei*e #ith $i&nity a %ro'en stammere$ apolo&y+ !ut the *oice that ha$ -ust spo'en #ith a crisp %itin& intensity #as not the *oice of remorse+ It #as a *ery an&ry man not a penitent one #ho #as comman$in&2not %e&&in&2her to stop an$ listen to him+ @4ellEA she sai$ a&ain more col$ly this time+ >he #as Fuite una%le to un$erstan$ this attitu$e of his+ >he #as the in-ure$ party+ It #as she not he #ho ha$ truste$ an$ %een %etraye$+ @I shoul$ li'e to e<plain+A @3lease $o not apolo&iBe+A 9eor&e &roun$ his teeth in the &loom+ @I ha*en5t the sli&htest intention of apolo&iBin&+ I sai$ I #oul$ li'e to e<plain+ 4hen I ha*e finishe$ e<plainin& you can &o+A @I shall &o #hen I please A flare$ )au$+ :his man #as intolera%le+ @:here is nothin& to %e afrai$ of+ :here #ill %e no repetition of the2inci$ent+A )au$ #as outra&e$ %y this monstrous misinterpretation of her #or$s+ @I am not afrai$GA @:hen perhaps you #ill %e 'in$ enou&h to listen+ I #on5t $etain you lon&+ )y e<planation is Fuite simple+ I ha*e %een ma$e a fool of+ I seem to %e in the position of the tin'er in the play #hom e*ery%o$y conspire$ to $elu$e into the %elief that he #as a 'in&+ =irst a frien$ of yours )r+ !yn& came to me an$ tol$ me that you ha$ confi$e$ to him that you lo*e$ me+A )au$ &aspe$+ (ither this man #as ma$ or 8e&&ie !yn& #as+ >he choose the politer solution+ @8e&&ie !yn& must ha*e lost his senses+A @>o I suppose$+ At least I ima&ine$ that he must %e mista'en+ !ut a man in lo*e is an optimistic fool of course an$ I ha$ lo*e$ you e*er since you &ot into my ca% that mornin& MA @4hatGA @>o after a #hile A procee$e$ 9eor&e i&norin& the interruption @I almost persua$e$ myself that miracles coul$ still happen an$ that #hat !yn& sai$ #as true+ An$ #hen your

father calle$ on me an$ tol$ me the *ery same thin& I #as con*ince$+ It seeme$ incre$i%le %ut I ha$ to %elie*e it+ Io# it seems that for some inscruta%le reason %oth !yn& an$ your father #ere ma'in& a fool of me+ :hat5s all+ 9oo$ ni&ht+A )au$5s reply #as the last #hich 9eor&e or any man #oul$ ha*e e<pecte$+ :here #as a moment5s silence an$ then she %urst into a peal of lau&hter+ It #as the lau&hter of o*er. straine$ ner*es %ut to 9eor&e5s ears it ha$ the rin& of &enuine amusement+ @I5m &la$ you fin$ my story entertainin& A he sai$ $ryly+ "e #as con*ince$ no# that he loathe$ this &irl an$ that all he $esire$ #as to see her &o out of his life for e*er+ @0ater no $ou%t the funny si$e of it #ill hit me+ ?ust at present my sense of humour is rather $ormant+A )au$ &a*e a little cry+ @I5m sorryG I5m so sorry )r+ !e*an+ It #asn5t that+ It #asn5t that at all+ /h I am so sorry+ I $on5t 'no# #hy I lau&he$+ It certainly #asn5t %ecause I thou&ht it funny+ It5s tra&ic+ :here5s %een a $rea$ful mista'eGA @I notice$ that A sai$ 9eor&e %itterly+ :he $ar'ness %e&an to afflict his ner*es+ @I #ish to 9o$ #e ha$ some li&ht+A :he &lare of a poc'et.torch smote upon him+ @I %rou&ht it to see my #ay %ac' #ith A sai$ )au$ in a curious small *oice+ @It5s *ery $ar' across the fiel$s+ I $i$n5t li&ht it %efore %ecause I #as afrai$ some%o$y mi&ht see+A >he came to#ar$s him hol$in& the torch o*er her hea$+ :he %eam sho#e$ her face trou%le$ an$ sympathetic an$ at the si&ht all 9eor&e5s resentment left him+ :here #ere mysteries here %eyon$ his unra*ellin& %ut of one thin& he #as certain1 this &irl #as not to %lame+ >he #as a thorou&h%re$ as strai&ht as a #an$+ >he #as pure &ol$+ @I came here to tell you e*erythin& A she sai$+ >he place$ the torch on the #a&on.#heel so that its ray fell in a pool of li&ht on the &roun$ %et#een them+ @I5ll $o it no#+ /nly2 only it isn5t so easy no#+ )r+ !e*an there5s a man2there5s a man that father an$ 8e&&ie !yn& mistoo'2they thou&ht M Cou see they 'ne# it #as you that I #as #ith that $ay in the ca% an$ so they naturally thou&ht #hen you came $o#n here that you #ere the man I ha$ &one to meet that $ay2the man I2I2A @:he man you lo*e+A @Ces A sai$ )au$ in a small *oiceD an$ there #as silence a&ain+ 9eor&e coul$ feel nothin& %ut sympathy+ It mastere$ other emotion in him e*en the &rey $espair that ha$ come her #or$s+ "e coul$ feel all that she #as feelin&+ @:ell me all a%out it A he sai$+ @I met him in 4ales last year+A )au$5s *oice #as a #hisper+ @:he family foun$ out an$ I #as hurrie$ %ac' here an$ ha*e %een here e*er since+ :hat $ay #hen I met you I ha$ mana&e$ to slip a#ay from home+ I ha$ foun$ out that he #as in 0on$on an$ I #as &oin& to meet him+ :hen I sa# 3ercy an$ &ot into your ca%+ It5s all %een a horri%le mista'e+ I5m sorry+A @I see A sai$ 9eor&e thou&htfully+ @I see+A "is heart ache$ li'e a li*in& #oun$+ >he ha$ tol$ so an$ he coul$ &uess so much+ :his un'no#n man #ho triumphe$ seeme$ to sneer scornfully at him from sha$o#s+ @I5m sorry A sai$ )au$ a&ain+ @Cou mustn5t feel li'e that+ "o# can I help youE :hat5s the point+ 4hat is it you #ant me to $oEA @!ut I can5t as' you no#+A

@/f course you can+ 4hy notEA @4hy2oh I coul$n5tGA 9eor&e mana&e$ to lau&h+ It #as a lau&h that $i$ not soun$ con*incin& e*en to himself %ut it ser*e$+ @:hat5s mor%i$ A he sai$+ @!e sensi%le+ Cou nee$ help an$ I may %e a%le to &i*e it+ >urely a man isn5t %arre$ for e*er from $oin& you a ser*ice -ust %ecause he happens to lo*e youE >uppose you #ere $ro#nin& an$ )r+ 3lummer #as the only s#immer #ithin call #oul$n5t you let him rescue youEA @)r+ 3lummerE 4hat $o you meanEA @Cou5*e not for&otten that I #as a reluctant ear.#itness to his recent proposal of marria&eEA )au$ uttere$ an e<clamation+ @I ne*er as'e$G "o# terri%le of me+ 4ere you much hurtEA @"urtEA 9eor&e coul$ not follo# her+ @:hat ni&ht+ 4hen you #ere on the %alcony an$2A @/hGA 9eor&e un$erstoo$+ @/h no har$ly at all+ A fe# scratches+ I scrape$ my han$s a little+A @It #as a #on$erful thin& to $o A sai$ )au$ her a$miration &lo#in& for a man #ho coul$ treat such a leap so li&htly+ >he ha$ al#ays ha$ a pri*ate theory that 0or$ 0eonar$ after performin& the same feat ha$ %ra&&e$ a%out it for the rest of his life+ @Io no nothin& A sai$ 9eor&e #ho ha$ since #on$ere$ #hy he ha$ e*er ma$e such a to.$o a%out clim%in& up a perfectly stout sheet+ @It #as splen$i$GA 9eor&e %lushe$+ @4e are #an$erin& from the main theme A he sai$+ @I #ant to help you+ I came here at enormous e<pense to help you+ "o# can I $o itEA )au$ hesitate$+ @I thin' you may %e offen$e$ at my as'in& such a thin&+A @Cou nee$n5t+A @Cou see the #hole trou%le is that I can5t &et in touch #ith 9eoffrey+ "e5s in 0on$on an$ I5m here+ An$ any chance I mi&ht ha*e of &ettin& to 0on$on *anishe$ that $ay I met you #hen 3ercy sa# me in 3icca$illy+A @"o# $i$ your people fin$ out it #as youEA @:hey as'e$ me2strai&ht out+A @An$ you o#ne$ upEA @I ha$ to+ I coul$n5t tell them a $irect lie+A 9eor&e thrille$+ :his #as the &irl he ha$ ha$ $ou%ts of+ @>o then it #as #orse then e*er A continue$ )au$+ @I $aren5t ris' #ritin& to 9eoffrey an$ ha*in& the letter intercepte$+ I #as #on$erin&2I ha$ the i$ea almost as soon as I foun$ that you ha$ come here2A @Cou #ant me to ta'e a letter from you an$ see that it reaches him+ An$ then he can #rite %ac' to my a$$ress an$ I can smu&&le the letter to youEA @:hat5s e<actly #hat I $o #ant+ !ut I almost $i$n5t li'e to as'+A @4hy notE I5ll %e $eli&hte$ to $o it+A @I5m so &rateful+A @4hy it5s nothin&+ I thou&ht you #ere &oin& to as' me to loo' in on your %rother an$

smash another of his hats+A )au$ lau&he$ $eli&hte$ly+ :he #hole tension of the situation ha$ %een ease$ for her+ )ore an$ more she foun$ herself li'in& 9eor&e+ Cet $eep $o#n in her she realiBe$ #ith a pan& that for him there ha$ %een no easin& of the situation+ >he #as sa$ for 9eor&e+ :he 3lummers of this #orl$ she ha$ consi&ne$ to #hat they $eclare$ #oul$ %e perpetual sorro# #ith scarcely a t#in&e of re&ret+ !ut 9eor&e #as $ifferent+ @3oor 3ercyGA she sai$+ @I $on5t suppose he5ll e*er &et o*er it+ "e #ill ha*e other hats %ut it #on5t %e the same+A >he came %ac' to the su%-ect nearest her heart+ @)r+ !e*an I #on$er if you #oul$ $o -ust a little more for meEA @If it isn5t criminal+ /r for that matter if it is+A @Coul$ you &o to 9eoffrey an$ see him an$ tell him all a%out me an$2an$ come %ac' an$ tell me ho# he loo's an$ #hat he sai$ an$2an$ so onEA @Certainly+ 4hat is his name an$ #here $o I fin$ himEA @I ne*er tol$ you+ "o# stupi$ of me+ "is name is 9eoffrey 8aymon$ an$ he li*es #ith his uncle )r+ 4il%ur 8aymon$ at 11a !el&ra*e >Fuare+A @I5ll &o to him tomorro#+A @:han' you e*er so much+A 9eor&e &ot up+ :he mo*ement seeme$ to put him in touch #ith the outer #orl$+ "e notice$ that the rain ha$ stoppe$ an$ that stars ha$ clim%e$ into the o%lon& of the $oor#ay+ "e ha$ an impression that he ha$ %een in the %arn a *ery lon& timeD an$ confirme$ this #ith a &lance at his #atch thou&h the #atch he felt un$erstate$ the facts %y the len&th of se*eral centuries+ "e #as a%stainin& from too close an e<amination of his emotions from a pru$ent feelin& that he #as &oin& to suffer soon enou&h #ithout assistance from himself+ @I thin' you ha$ %etter %e &oin& %ac' A he sai$+ @It5s rather late+ :hey may %e missin& you+A )au$ lau&he$ happily+ @I $on5t min$ no# #hat they $o+ !ut I suppose $inners must %e $resse$ for #hate*er happens+A :hey mo*e$ to&ether to the $oor+ @4hat a lo*ely ni&ht after allG I ne*er thou&ht the rain #oul$ stop in this #orl$+ It5s li'e #hen you5re unhappy an$ thin' it5s &oin& on for e*er+A @Ces A sai$ 9eor&e+ )au$ hel$ out her han$+ @9oo$ ni&ht )r+ !e*an+A @9oo$ ni&ht+A "e #on$ere$ if there #oul$ %e any allusion to the earlier passa&es of their inter*ie#+ :here #as none+ )au$ #as of the class #hose e$ucation consists mainly of a trainin& in the $elicate i&norin& of $elicate situations+ @:hen you #ill &o an$ see 9eoffreyEA @:omorro#+A @:han' you e*er so much+A @Iot at all+A 9eor&e a$mire$ her+ :he little touch of formality #hich she ha$ contri*e$ to impart to the con*ersation struc' -ust the ri&ht note create$ -ust the atmosphere #hich #oul$ ena%le them to part #ithout #ei&hin& too hea*ily on the $eeper aspect of that partin&+ @Cou5re a real frien$ )r+ !e*an+A

@4atch me pro*e it+A @4ell I must rush I suppose+ 9oo$ ni&htGA @9oo$ ni&htGA >he mo*e$ off Fuic'ly across the fiel$+ Dar'ness co*ere$ her+ :he $o& in the $istance ha$ %e&un to ho#l a&ain+ "e ha$ his trou%les too+

Chapter 2"
:rou%le sharpens the *ision+ In our moments of $istress #e can see clearly that #hat is #ron& #ith this #orl$ of ours is the fact that )isery lo*es company an$ sel$om &ets it+ :oothache is an unpleasant ailmentD %ut if toothache #ere a natural con$ition of life if all man'in$ #ere afflicte$ #ith toothache at %irth #e shoul$ not notice it+ It is the free$om from achin& teeth of all those #ith #hom #e come in contact that emphasiBes the a&ony+ An$ as #ith toothache so #ith trou%le+ ,ntil our pri*ate affairs &o #ron& #e ne*er realiBe ho# %u%%lin& o*er #ith happiness the %ul' of man'in$ seems to %e+ /ur achin& heart is apparently nothin& %ut a $esert islan$ in an ocean of -oy+ 9eor&e #a'in& ne<t mornin& #ith a hea*y heart ma$e this $isco*ery %efore the $ay #as an hour ol$+ :he sun #as shinin& an$ %ir$s san& merrily %ut this $i$ not $istur% him+ Iature is e*er callous to human #oes lau&hin& #hile #e #eepD an$ #e &ro# to ta'e her callousness for &rante$+ 4hat -arre$ upon 9eor&e #as the infernal cheerfulness of his fello# men+ :hey seeme$ to %e $oin& it on purpose2triumphin& o*er him2&loryin& in the fact that ho#e*er =ate mi&ht ha*e shattere$ him they #ere all ri&ht+ 3eople #ere happy #ho ha$ ne*er %een happy %efore+ )rs+ 3latt for instance+ A &rey $epresse$ #oman of mi$$le a&e she ha$ seeme$ hitherto to ha*e fe# pleasures %eyon$ %rea'in& $ishes an$ relatin& the symptoms of sic' nei&h%ours #ho #ere not e<pecte$ to li*e throu&h the #ee'+ >he no# san&+ 9eor&e coul$ hear her as she prepare$ his %rea'fast in the 'itchen+ At first he ha$ ha$ a hope that she #as moanin& #ith painD %ut this #as $ispelle$ #hen he ha$ finishe$ his toilet an$ procee$e$ $o#nstairs+ :he soun$s she emitte$ su&&este$ an&uish %ut the #or$s #hen he #as a%le to $istin&uish them tol$ another story+ Incre$i%le as it mi&ht seem on this particular mornin& )rs+ 3latt ha$ electe$ to %e li&ht.hearte$+ 4hat she #as sin&in& soun$e$ li'e a $ir&e %ut actually it #as @>top your tic'lin& ?oc'GA An$+ later #hen she %rou&ht 9eor&e his coffee an$ e&&s she spent a full ten minutes prattlin& as he trie$ to rea$ his paper pointin& out to him a num%er of merry mur$ers an$ spri&htly suici$es #hich other#ise he mi&ht ha*e misse$+ :he #oman #ent out of her #ay to sho# him that for her if not for less fortunate people 9o$ this mornin& #as in "is hea*en an$ all #as ri&ht in the #orl$+ :#o tramps of supernatural e<u%erance calle$ at the cotta&e shortly after %rea'fast to as' 9eor&e #hom they ha$ ne*er e*en consulte$ a%out their marria&es to help support their #i*es an$ chil$ren+ Iothin& coul$ ha*e %een more care.free an$ $e%onnaire than the $emeanour of these men+ An$ then 8e&&ie !yn& arri*e$ in his &rey racin& car more cheerful than any of them+ =ate coul$ not ha*e moc'e$ 9eor&e more su%tly+ A sorro#5s cro#n of sorro# is remem%erin& happier thin&s an$ the si&ht of 8e&&ie in that room remin$e$ him that on the last occasion #hen they ha$ tal'e$ to&ether across this same ta%le it #as he #ho ha$ %een in a =ool5s 3ara$ise an$ 8e&&ie #ho ha$ %orne a #ei&ht of care+ 8e&&ie this mornin& #as %ri&hter than the shinin& sun an$ &ayer than the carollin& %ir$s+

@"ullo.ullo.ullo.ullo.ullo.ullo.ul.0oG :oppin& mornin& isn5t itGA o%ser*e$ 8e&&ie+ @:he sunshineG :he %ir$sG :he a%solute #hat.$o.you.call.it of e*erythin& an$ so forth an$ all that sort of thin& if you 'no# #hat I meanG I feel li'e a t#o.year.ol$GA 9eor&e #ho felt ol$er than this %y some ninety.ei&ht years &roane$ in spirit+ :his #as more than man #as meant to %ear+ @I say A continue$ 8e&&ie a%sently reachin& out for a slice of %rea$ an$ smearin& it #ith marmala$e @this %usiness of marria&e no# an$ all that species of rotG 4hat I mean to say is #hat a%out itE Iot a %a$ scheme ta'in& it %i& an$ lar&eE /r $on5t you thin' soEA 9eor&e #rithe$+ :he 'nife t#iste$ in the #oun$+ >urely it #as %a$ enou&h to see a happy man eatin& %rea$ an$ marmala$e #ithout ha*in& to listen to him tal'in& a%out marria&e+ @4ell anyho# %e that as it may A sai$ 8e&&ie %itin& -o*ially an$ spea'in& in a thic' %ut -oyous *oice+ @I5m &ettin& marrie$ to$ay an$ chance it+ :his mornin& this *ery mornin& I leap off the $oc'GA 9eor&e #as startle$ out of his $espon$ency+ @4hatGA @A%solutely la$$ieGA 9eor&e remem%ere$ the con*entions+ @I con&ratulate you+A @:han's ol$ man+ An$ not #ithout reason+ I5m the luc'iest fello# ali*e+ I har$ly 'ne# I #as ali*e till no#+A @Isn5t this rather su$$enEA 8e&&ie loo'e$ a trifle furti*e+ "is manner %ecame that of a conspirator+ @I shoul$ -olly #ell say it is su$$enG It5s &ot to %e su$$en+ Dashe$ su$$en an$ $euce$ secretG If the mater #ere to hear of it there5s no $ou%t #hate*er she #oul$ form a flyin& #e$&e an$ %ust up the procee$in&s #ith no uncertain *oice+ Cou see la$$ie it5s )iss =ara$ay I5m marryin& an$ the mater2$ear ol$ soul2has other i$eas for 8e&inal$+ 0ife5s a rummy thin& isn5t itG 4hat I mean to say is it5s rummy $on5t you 'no# an$ all that+A @Jery A a&ree$ 9eor&e+ @4ho5$ ha*e thou&ht a #ee' a&o that I5$ %e sittin& in this -olly ol$ chair as'in& you to %e my %est manE 4hy a #ee' a&o I $i$n5t 'no# you an$ if any%o$y ha$ tol$ me Alice =ara$ay #as &oin& to marry me I5$ ha*e &i*en one of those hollo# mirthless lau&hs+A @Do you #ant me to %e your %est manEA @A%solutely if you $on5t min$+ Cou see A sai$ 8e&&ie confi$entially @it5s li'e this+ I5*e &ot lots of pals of course %uBBin& a%out all o*er 0on$on an$ its outs'irts #ho5$ %e &la$ enou&h to rally roun$ an$ -oin the e<ecution.sFua$D %ut you 'no# ho# it is+ :heir maters are all pals of my mater an$ I $on5t #ant to &et them into trou%le for ai$in& an$ a%ettin& my little sho# if you un$erstan$ #hat I mean+ Io# you5re $ifferent+ Cou $on5t 'no# the mater so it $oesn5t matter to you if she rolls aroun$ an$ puts the Curse of the !yn&s on you an$ all that sort of thin&+ !esi$es I $on5t 'no#+A 8e&&ie muse$+ @/f course this is the happiest $ay of my life A he procee$e$ @an$ I5m not sayin& it isn5t %ut you 'no# ho# it is2there5s a%solutely no $ou%t that a chappie $oes not sho# at his %est #hen he5s %ein& marrie$+ 4hat I mean to say is he5s more or less %oun$ to loo' a fearful ass+ An$ I5m perfectly certain it #oul$ put me ri&ht off my stro'e if I felt that some

chump li'e ?ac' =erris or 8onnie =itB&eral$ #as tryin& not to &i&&le in the %ac'&roun$+ >o if you #ill %e a sportsman an$ come an$ hol$ my han$ till the thin&5s o*er I shall %e eternally &rateful+A @4here are you &oin& to %e marrie$EA @In 0on$on+ Alice snea'e$ off there last ni&ht+ It #as easy as it happene$ %ecause %y a %it of luc' ol$ )arshmoreton ha$ &one to to#n yester$ay mornin&2no%o$y 'no#s #hy1 he $oesn5t &o up to 0on$on more than a couple of times a year+ >he5s &oin& to meet me at the >a*oy an$ then the scheme #as to to$$le roun$ to the nearest re&istrar an$ reFuest the la$ to unleash the marria&e ser*ice+ I5m #hiBBin& up in the car an$ I5m hopin& to %e a%le to persua$e you to come #ith me+ >ay the #or$ la$$ieGA 9eor&e reflecte$+ "e li'e$ 8e&&ie an$ there #as no particular reason in the #orl$ #hy he shoul$ not &i*e him ai$ an$ comfort in this crisis+ :rue in his present frame of min$ it #oul$ %e torture to #itness a #e$$in& ceremonyD %ut he ou&ht not to let that stan$ in the #ay of helpin& a frien$+ @All ri&ht A he sai$+ @>tout fello#G I $on5t 'no# ho# to than' you+ It isn5t puttin& you out or upsettin& your plans I hope or anythin& on those linesEA @Iot at all+ I ha$ to &o up to 0on$on to$ay any#ay+A @4ell you can5t &et there Fuic'er than in my car+ >he5s a hummer+ !y the #ay I for&ot to as'+ "o# is your little affair comin& alon&E (*erythin& &oin& all ri&htEA @In a #ay A sai$ 9eor&e+ "e #as not eFual to confi$in& his trou%les to 8e&&ie+ @/f course your trou%le isn5t li'e mine #as+ 4hat I mean is )au$ lo*es you an$ all that an$ all you5*e &ot to thin' out is a scheme for layin& the -olly ol$ family a stymie+ It5s a pity2almost2that yours isn5t a case of ha*in& to #in the &irl li'e meD %ecause %y ?o*e la$$ie A sai$ 8e&&ie #ith solemn emphasis @I coul$ help you there+ I5*e &ot the thin& $o#n fine+ I5*e &ot the infalli%le $ope+A 9eor&e smile$ %lea'ly+ @Cou ha*eE Cou5re a useful fello# to ha*e aroun$+ I #ish you #oul$ tell me #hat it is+A @!ut you $on5t nee$ it+A @Io of course not+ I #as for&ettin&+A 8e&&ie loo'e$ at his #atch+ @4e ou&ht to %e shiftin& in a Fuarter of an hour or so+ I $on5t #ant to %e late+ It appears that there5s a catch of some sort in this %usiness of &ettin& marrie$+ As far as I can ma'e out if you roll in after a certain hour the ?ohnnie in char&e of the procee$in&s &i*es you the miss.in.%aul' an$ you ha*e to turn up a&ain ne<t $ay+ "o#e*er #e shall %e all ri&ht unless #e ha*e a %rea'$o#n an$ there5s not much chance of that+ I5*e %een tunin& up the ol$ car since se*en this mornin& an$ she5s soun$ in #in$ an$ lim% a%solutely+ /il2 petrol2#ater2air2nuts2%olts2sproc'etsL car%uretter2all present an$ correct+ I5*e %een loo'in& after them li'e a lot of %a%y sisters+ 4ell as I #as sayin& I5*e &ot the $ope+ A #ee' a&o I #as -ust one of the mu&s2$i$n5t 'no# a thin& a%out it2%ut no#G 9aBe on me la$$ieG Cou see %efore you ol$ Colonel 8omeo the )an #ho ;no#sG It all starte$ on the ni&ht of the %all+ :here #as the $ic'ens of a %i& %all you 'no# to cele%rate ol$ !oots5 comin&.of.a&e2to #hich poor $e*il he contri%ute$ nothin& %ut the sunshine of his smile ne*er ha*in& learne$ to $ance+ /n that occasion a most rummy an$ e<traor$inary thin& happene$+ I &ot pic'le$ to the eye%ro#sGA "e lau&he$ happily+ @I

$on5t mean that that #as a uniFue occurrence an$ so forth %ecause #hen I #as a %achelor it #as rather a ha%it of mine to &et a trifle su%mer&e$ e*ery no# an$ a&ain on occasions of $ecent mirth an$ festi*ity+ !ut the rummy thin& that ni&ht #as that I sho#e$ it+ ,p till then I5*e %een tol$ %y e<perts I #as a chappie in #hom it #as a%solutely impossi%le to $etect the symptoms+ Cou mi&ht &et a %it suspicious if you foun$ I coul$n5t mo*e %ut you coul$ ne*er %e certain+ /n the ni&ht of the %all ho#e*er I suppose I ha$ %een fillin& the ra$iator a trifle too enthusiastically+ Cou see I ha$ $eli%erately trie$ to sho*e myself more or less %elo# the surface in or$er to &et enou&h ner*e to propose to Alice+ I $on5t 'no# #hat your e<perience has %een %ut mine is that proposin&5s a thin& that simply isn5t #ithin the scope of a man #ho isn5t mo$erately #ooBle$+ I5*e often #on$ere$ ho# marria&es e*er occur in the $ry >tates of America+ 4ell as I #as sayin& on the ni&ht of the %all a most rummy thin& happene$+ I thou&ht one of the #aiters #as youEA "e pause$ impressi*ely to allo# this startlin& statement to sin' in+ @An$ #as heEA sai$ 9eor&e+ @A%solutely notG :hat #as the rummy part of it+ "e loo'e$ as li'e you as your t#in %rother+A @I ha*en5t a t#in %rother+A @Io I 'no# #hat you mean %ut #hat I mean to say is he loo'e$ -ust li'e your t#in %rother #oul$ ha*e loo'e$ if you ha$ ha$ a t#in %rother+ 4ell I ha$ a #or$ or t#o #ith this chappie an$ after a %rief con*ersation it #as %orne in upon me that I #as up to the &ills+ Alice #as #ith me at the time an$ notice$ it too+ Io# you5$ ha*e thou&ht that that #oul$ ha*e put a &irl off a fello# an$ all that+ !ut no+ Io%o$y coul$ ha*e %een more sympathetic+ An$ she has confi$e$ to me since that it #as seein& me in my oile$ con$ition that really turne$ the scale+ 4hat I mean is she ma$e up her min$ to sa*e me from myself+ Cou 'no# ho# some &irls are+ An&els a%solutelyG Al#ays on the loo' out to pluc' %ran$s from the %urnin& an$ #hat not+ Cou may ta'e it from me that the &oo$ see$ #as $efinitely so#n that ni&ht+A @Is that your recipe thenE Cou #oul$ a$*ise the #oul$.%e %ri$e&room to %uy a case of champa&ne an$ a #e$$in& licence an$ &et to #or'E After that it #oul$ %e all o*er e<cept sen$in& out the in*itationsEA 8e&&ie shoo' his hea$+ @Iot at all+ Cou nee$ a lot more than that+ :hat5s only the start+ Cou5*e &ot to follo# up the &oo$ #or' you see+ :hat5s #here a num%er of chappies #oul$ slip up an$ I5m pretty certain I shoul$ ha*e slippe$ up myself %ut for another sin&ularly rummy occurrence+ "a*e you e*er ha$ a #hat.$o.you.call itE 4hat5s the #or$ I #antE /ne of those thin&s fello#s &et sometimes+A @"ea$achesEA haBar$e$ 9eor&e+ @Io no+ Iothin& li'e that+ I $on5t mean anythin& you &et2I mean somethin& you &et if you 'no# #hat I mean+A @)easlesEA @Anonymous letter+ :hat5s #hat I #as tryin& to say+ It5s a most e<traor$inary thin& an$ I can5t un$erstan$ e*en no# #here the $euce they came from %ut -ust a%out then I starte$ to &et a #hole %unch of anonymous letters from some chappie un'no#n #ho $i$n5t si&n his name+A @4hat you mean is that the letters #ere anonymous A sai$ 9eor&e+

@A%solutely+ I use$ to &et t#o or three a $ay sometimes+ 4hene*er I #ent up to my room I5$ fin$ another #aitin& for me on the $ressin&.ta%le+A @/ffensi*eEA @(hEA @4ere the letters offensi*eE Anonymous letters usually are+A @:hese #eren5t+ Iot at all an$ Fuite the re*erse+ :hey containe$ a series of perfectly toppin& tips on ho# a fello# shoul$ procee$ #ho #ants to &et hol$ of a &irl+A @It soun$s as thou&h some%o$y ha$ %een teachin& you -u.-itsu %y post+A @:hey #ere &reatG 8eal re$.hot stuff strai&ht from the sta%le+ 3riceless tips li'e H)a'e yourself in$ispensa%le to her in little #ays5 H>tu$y her tastes5 an$ so on an$ so forth+ I tell you la$$ie I pretty soon stoppe$ #orryin& a%out #ho #as sen$in& them to me an$ concentrate$ the ol$ %ean on actin& on them+ :hey #or'e$ li'e ma&ic+ :he last one came yester$ay mornin& an$ it #as a topperG It #as all a%out ho# a chappie #ho #as ner*ous shoul$ procee$+ :echnical stuff you 'no# a%out hol$in& her han$ an$ tellin& her you5re lonely an$ %ein& sincere an$ strai&htfor#ar$ an$ lettin& your heart $ictate the rest+ "a*e you e*er as'e$ for one car$ #hen you #ante$ to fill a royal flush an$ happene$ to pic' out the necessary aceE I $i$ once #hen I #as up at /<for$ an$ %y ?o*e this letter &a*e me -ust the same thrill+ I $i$n5t hesitate+ I -ust saile$ in+ I #as col$ so%er %ut I $i$n5t #orry a%out that+ >omethin& tol$ me I coul$n5t lose+ It #as li'e ha*in& to hole out a three.inch putt+ An$2#ell there you are $on5t you 'no#+A 8e&&ie %ecame thou&htful+ @Dash it allG I5$ li'e to 'no# #ho the fello# #as #ho sent me those letters+ I5$ li'e to sen$ him a #e$$in&.present or a %it of the ca'e or somethin&+ :hou&h I suppose there #on5t %e any ca'e seein& the thin&5s ta'in& place at a re&istrar5s+A @Cou coul$ %uy a %un A su&&este$ 9eor&e+ @4ell I shall ne*er 'no# I suppose+ An$ no# ho# a%out tric'lin& forthE I say la$$ie you $on5t o%-ect if I sin& sli&htly from time to time $urin& the -ourneyE I5m so $ashe$ happy you 'no#+A @Iot at all if it5s not a&ainst the traffic re&ulations+A 8e&&ie #an$ere$ aimlessly a%out the room in an ecstasy+ @It5s a rummy thin& A he sai$ me$itati*ely @I5*e -ust remem%ere$ that #hen I #as at school I use$ to sin& a thin& calle$ the #hat5s.it5s.name5s #e$$in& son&+ At house. suppers $on5t you 'no# an$ #hat not+ ?olly little thin&+ I $aresay you 'no# it+ It starts HDin& $on&G Din& $on&G5 or #or$s to that effect H"urry alon&G =or it is my #e$$in&. mornin&G5 I remem%er you ha$ to stretch out the Hmor5 a %it+ Deuce$ a#'#ar$ if you ha$n5t lai$ in enou&h %reath+ H:he Ceoman5s 4e$$in&.>on&+5 :hat #as it+ I 'ne# it #as some chappie or other5s+ An$ it #ent on HAn$ the %ri$e in somethin& or other is $oin& somethin& I can5t recollect+5 4ell #hat I mean is no# it5s my #e$$in&.mornin&G 8ummy #hen you come to thin' of it #hatE 4ell as it5s &ettin& tolera%le late #hat a%out itE >hift hoEA @I5m rea$y+ 4oul$ you li'e me to %rin& some riceEA @:han' you la$$ie no+ Dashe$ $an&erous stuff riceG 4orse than shrapnel+ 9ot your hatE All setEA @I5m #aitin&+A @:hen let the re*els commence A sai$ 8e&&ie+ @Din& $on&G Din& Don&G "urry alon&G =or it is my #e$$in&.mornin&G An$ the %ri$eL Dash it I #ish I coul$ remem%er #hat the %ri$e #as $oin&GA

@3ro%a%ly #ritin& you a note to say that she5s chan&e$ her min$ an$ it5s all off+A @/h my 9o$GA e<claime$ 8e&&ie+ @Come onGA

Chapter 21
)r+ an$ )rs+ 8e&inal$ !yn& seate$ at a ta%le in the corner of the 8e&ent 9rill.8oom &aBe$ fon$ly into each other5s eyes+ 9eor&e seate$ at the same ta%le %ut feelin& many miles a#ay #atche$ them moo$ily fi&htin& to hol$ off a $epression #hich cure$ for a #hile %y the e<hilaration of the ri$e in 8e&&ie5s racin&.car 6it ha$ %eaten its pre*ious recor$ for the trip to 0on$on %y nearly t#enty minutes7 no# threatene$ to return+ :he &ay scene the ecstasy of 8e&&ie the more restraine$ %ut eFually manifest happiness of his %ri$e2these thin&s in$uce$ melancholy in 9eor&e+ "e ha$ not #ishe$ to atten$ the #e$$in&.lunch %ut the happy pair seeme$ to %e re*olte$ at the i$ea that he shoul$ stroll off an$ &et a %ite to eat some#here else+ @>tic' %y us la$$ie A 8e&&ie ha$ sai$ plea$in&ly @for there is much to $iscuss an$ #e nee$ the counsel of a man of the #orl$+ 4e are marrie$ all ri&ht2A @:hou&h it $i$n5t seem le&al in that little re&istrar5s office A put in Alice+ @2!ut that as the %li&hters say in %oo's is %ut a %e&innin& not an en$+ 4e ha*e no# to thin' out the most tactful #ay of lettin& the ne#s seep throu&h as it #ere to the mater+A @An$ 0or$ )arshmoreton A sai$ Alice+ @Don5t for&et he has lost his secretary+A @An$ 0or$ )arshmoreton A amen$e$ 8e&&ie+ @An$ a%out a million other people #ho5ll %e most fri&htfully pee*e$ at my $oin& the 4e$$in& 9li$e #ithout consultin& them+ >tic' %y us ol$ top+ ?oin our simple meal+ An$ o*er the ol$ coronas #e #ill $iscuss many thin&s+A :he arri*al of a #aiter #ith $ishes %ro'e up the silent communion %et#een hus%an$ an$ #ife an$ lo#ere$ 8e&&ie to a more earthly plane+ "e refille$ the &lasses from the stout %ottle that nestle$ in the ice.%uc'et26@ /nly this one $earGA murmure$ the %ri$e in a #arnin& un$ertone an$ @All ri&ht $arlin&GA replie$ the $utiful &room72an$ raise$ his o#n to his lips+ @CheerioG "ere5s to us allG )a$$est merriest $ay of all the &la$ Ie# year an$ so forth+ An$ no# A he continue$ %ecomin& sternly practical @a%out the &oo$ ol$ seFuel an$ aftermath so to spea' of this little %in&e of ours+ 4hat5s to %e $one+ Cou5re a %rainy sort of feller !e*an ol$ man an$ #e loo' to you for su&&estions+ "o# #oul$ you set a%out %rea'in& the ne#s to motherEA @4rite her a letter A sai$ 9eor&e+ 8e&&ie #as profoun$ly impresse$+ @Di$n5t I tell you he #oul$ ha*e some $e*ilish shre#$ schemeEA he sai$ enthusiastically to Alice+ @4rite her a letterG 4hat coul$ %e %etterE 3oetry %y 9a$GA "is face clou$e$+ @!ut #hat #oul$ you say in itE :hat5s a pretty 'notty point+A @Iot at all+ !e perfectly fran' an$ strai&htfor#ar$+ >ay you are sorry to &o a&ainst her #ishes2A @4ishes A murmure$ 8e&&ie scri%%lin& in$ustrially on the %ac' of the marria&e licence+ @2!ut you 'no# that all she #ants is your happiness2A 8e&&ie loo'e$ $ou%tful+

@I5m not sure a%out that last %it ol$ thin&+ Cou $on5t 'no# the materGA @Ie*er min$ 8e&&ie A put in Alice+ @>ay it anyho#+ )r+ !e*an is perfectly ri&ht+A @8i&ht ho $arlin&G All ri&ht la$$ie25happiness5+ An$ thenEA @3oint out in a fe# #ell.chosen sentences ho# charmin& )rs+ !yn& is MA @)rs+ !yn&GA 8e&&ie smile$ fatuously+ @I $on5t thin' I e*er hear$ anythin& that soun$e$ so in$escri%a%ly rippin&+ :hat part5ll %e easy enou&h+ !esi$es the mater 'no#s Alice+A @0a$y Caroline has seen me at the castle A sai$ his %ri$e $ou%tfully @%ut I shoul$n5t say she 'no#s me+ >he has har$ly spo'en a $oBen #or$s to me+A @:here A sai$ 8e&&ie earnestly @you5re in luc' $ear heartG :he mater5s a &reat spea'er especially in moments of e<citement+ I5m not loo'in& for#ar$ to the time #hen she starts on me+ !et#een oursel*es la$$ie an$ meanin& no $isrespect to the $ear soul #hen the mater is mo*e$ an$ %e&ins to tal' she uses up most of the lan&ua&e+A @/utspo'en is sheEA @I shoul$ hate to meet the person #ho coul$ out.spea' her A sai$ 8e&&ie+ 9eor&e sou&ht information on a $elicate point+ @An$ financiallyE Does she e<ercise any authority o*er you in that #ayEA @Cou mean has the mater the first call on the family $ou%loonsEA sai$ 8e&&ie+ @/h a%solutely notG Cou see #hen I call her the mater it5s usin& the #or$ in a loose sense so to spea'+ >he5s my step.mother really+ >he has her o#n little collection of pieces of ei&ht an$ I ha*e mine+ :hat part5s simple enou&h+A @:hen the #hole thin& is simple+ I $on5t see #hat you5*e %een #orryin& a%out+A @?ust #hat I 'eep tellin& him )r+ !e*an A sai$ Alice+ @Cou5re a perfectly free a&ent+ >he has no hol$ on you of any 'in$+A 8e&&ie !yn& %lin'e$ $iBBily+ @4hy no# you put it li'e that A he e<claime$ @I can see that I -olly #ell amG It5s an amaBin& thin& you 'no# ha%it an$ all that+ I5*e %een so accustome$ for years to -umpin& throu&h hoops an$ shammin& $ea$ #hen the mater lifte$ a little fin&er that it a%solutely ne*er occurre$ to me that I ha$ a soul of my /#n+ I &i*e you my honest #or$ I ne*er sa# it till this moment+A @An$ no# it5s too lateGA @(hEA 9eor&e in$icate$ Alice #ith a &esture+ :he ne#ly.ma$e )rs+ !yn& smile$+ @)r+ !e*an means that no# you5*e &ot to -ump throu&h hoops an$ sham $ea$ #hen I lift a little fin&erGA 8e&&ie raise$ her han$ to his lips an$ ni%%le$ at it &ently+ @!lessums Hittle fin&erG It shall lift it an$ ha*e Hums 8e&&ie -umpin& throu&hM+A "e %ro'e off an$ ten$ere$ 9eor&e a manly apolo&y+ @>orry ol$ topG =or&ot myself for the moment+ >han5t occur a&ainG "a*e another chic'en or an eclair or some soup or somethin&GA /*er the ci&ars 8e&&ie %ecame e<pansi*e+ @Io# that you5*e lifte$ the fri&htful #ei&ht of the mater off my min$ $ear ol$ la$ A he sai$ puffin& lu<uriously @I fin$ myself sur*eyin& the future in a calmer spirit+ It seems to me that the %est thin& to $o as re&ar$s the mater an$ e*ery%o$y else is simply to prolon& the merry #e$$in&.trip till :ime the 9reat "ealer has ha$ a chance to cure the #oun$+ Alice #ants to put in a #ee' or so in 3aris M+A

@ 3arisGA murmure$ the %ri$e ecstatically+ @:hen I #oul$ li'e to tric'le south#ar$s to the 8i*iera MA @If you mean )onte Carlo $ear A sai$ his #ife #ith &entle firmness @noGA @Io no not )onte Carlo A sai$ 8e&&ie hastily @thou&h it5s a &reat place+ Air2 scenery2an$ #hat notG !ut Iice an$ !or$i&hera an$ )entone an$ other fairly ripe resorts+ Cou5$ en-oy them+ An$ after that M I ha$ a scheme for %uyin& %ac' my yacht the -olly ol$ >iren an$ cruisin& a%out the )e$iterranean for a month or so+ I sol$ her to a local sportsman #hen I #as in America a couple of years a&o+ !ut I sa# in the paper yester$ay that the poor ol$ %uffer ha$ $ie$ su$$enly so I suppose it #oul$ %e $ifficult to &et hol$ of her for the time %ein&+A 8e&&ie %ro'e off #ith a sharp e<clamation+ @)y sainte$ auntGA @4hat5s the matterEA !oth his companions #ere loo'in& past him #i$e.eye$+ 9eor&e occupie$ the chair that ha$ its %ac' to the $oor an$ #as una%le to see #hat it #as that ha$ cause$ their consternationD %ut he $e$uce$ that someone 'no#n to %oth of them must ha*e entere$ the restaurantD an$ his first thou&ht perhaps naturally #as that it must %e 8e&&ie5s @materA+ 8e&&ie $i*e$ %ehin$ a menu #hich he hel$ %efore him li'e a shiel$ an$ his %ri$e after one Fuic' loo' ha$ turne$ a#ay so that her face #as hi$$en+ 9eor&e s#un& aroun$ %ut the ne#comer #hoe*er he or she #as #as no# seate$ an$ in$istin&uisha%le from the rest of the lunchers+ @4ho is itEA 8e&&ie lai$ $o#n the menu #ith the air of one #ho after a momentary panic rallies+ @Don5t 'no# #hat I5m ma'in& such a fuss a%out A he sai$ stoutly+ @I 'eep for&ettin& that none of these %li&hters really matter in the scheme of thin&s+ I5*e a &oo$ min$ to &o o*er an$ pass the time of $ay+A @Don5tGA plea$e$ his #ife+ @I feel so &uilty+A @4ho is itEA as'e$ 9eor&e a&ain+ @Cour step.motherEA @9reat >cott noGA sai$ 8e&&ie+ @Iothin& so %a$ as that+ It5s ol$ )arshmoreton+A @0or$ )arshmoretonGA @A%solutelyG An$ loo'in& positi*ely festi*e+A @I feel so a#ful )r+ !e*an A sai$ Alice+ @Cou 'no# I left the castle #ithout a #or$ to anyone an$ he $oesn5t 'no# yet that there #on5t %e any secretary #aitin& for him #hen he &ets %ac'+A 8e&&ie too' another loo' o*er 9eor&e5s shoul$er an$ chuc'le$+ @It5s all ri&ht $arlin&+ Don5t #orry+ 4e can nip off secretly %y the other $oor+ "e5s not &oin& to stop us+ "e5s &ot a &irl #ith himG :he ol$ %oy has come to life2a%solutelyG "e5s &assin& a#ay si<teen to the $oBen to a fri&htfully pretty &irl #ith &ol$ hair+ If you sle# the ol$ %ean roun$ at an an&le of a%out forty.fi*e !e*an ol$ top you can see her+ :a'e a loo'+ "e #on5t see you+ "e5s &ot his %ac' to us+A @Do you call her prettyEA as'e$ Alice $ispara&in&ly+ @Io# that I ta'e a &oo$ loo' precious A replie$ 8e&&ie #ith alacrity @noG A%solutely notG Iot my style at allGA "is #ife crum%le$ %rea$+ @I thin' she must 'no# you 8e&&ie $ear A she sai$ softly+ @>he5s #a*in& to you+A @>he5s #a*in& to )( A sai$ 9eor&e %rin&in& %ac' the sunshine to 8e&&ie5s life an$ causin& the latter5s face to lose its hunte$ loo'+ @I 'no# her *ery #ell+ "er name5s Dore+

!illie Dore+A @/l$ man A sai$ 8e&&ie @%e a &oo$ fello# an$ sli$e o*er to their ta%le an$ co*er our retreat+ I 'no# there5s nothin& to %e afrai$ of really %ut I simply can5t face the ol$ %oy+A @An$ %rea' the ne#s to him that I5*e &one )r+ !e*an A a$$e$ Alice+ @Jery #ell I5ll say &oo$.%ye then+A @9oo$.%ye )r+ !e*an an$ than' you e*er so much+A 8e&&ie shoo' 9eor&e5s han$ #armly+ @9oo$.%ye !e*an ol$ thin& you5re a ripper+ I can5t tell you ho# %uc'e$ up I am at the sportsmanli'e #ay you5*e rallie$ roun$+ I5ll $o the same for you one of these $ays+ ?ust hol$ the ol$ %oy in play for a minute or t#o #hile #e le& it+ An$ if he #ants us tell him our a$$ress till further notice is 3aris+ 4hat hoG 4hat hoG 4hat hoG :oo$le.oo la$$ie too$le.ooGA 9eor&e threa$e$ his #ay across the room+ !illie Dore #elcome$ him #ith a frien$ly smile+ :he earl #ho ha$ turne$ to o%ser*e his pro&ress seeme$ less $eli&hte$ to see him+ "is #eather.%eaten face #ore an almost furti*e loo'+ "e remin$e$ 9eor&e of a school%oy #ho has %een cau&ht in some %reach of the la#+ @=ancy seein& you here 9eor&eGA sai$ !illie+ @4e5re al#ays meetin& aren5t #eE "o# $i$ you come to separate yourself from the pi&s an$ chic'ensE I thou&ht you #ere ne*er &oin& to lea*e them+A @I ha$ to run up on %usiness A e<plaine$ 9eor&e+ @"o# are you 0or$ )arshmoretonEA :he earl no$$e$ %riefly+ @>o you5re on to him tooEA sai$ !illie+ @4hen $i$ you &et #iseEA @0or$ )arshmoreton #as 'in$ enou&h to call on me the other mornin& an$ $rop the inco&nito+A @Isn5t $a$$a the fo<iest ol$ thin&GA sai$ !illie $eli&hte$ly+ @Ima&ine him stan$in& there that $ay in the &ar$en 'i$$in& us alon& li'e thatG I tell you #hen they %rou&ht me his car$ last ni&ht after the first act an$ I #ent $o#n to ta'e a slant at this 0or$ )arshmoreton an$ foun$ $a$$a han&in& roun$ the sta&e $oor you coul$ ha*e 'noc'e$ me o*er #ith a #his'.%room+A @I ha*e not stoo$ at the sta&e.$oor for t#enty.fi*e years A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton sa$ly+ @Io# it5s no use your pullin& that "enry 4+ )ethuselah stuff A sai$ !illie affectionately+ @Cou can5t &et a#ay #ith it+ Anyone can see you5re -ust a 'i$+ Can5t they 9eor&eEA >he in$icate$ the %lushin& earl #ith a #a*e of the han$+ @Isn5t $a$$a the youn&est thin& that e*er happene$EA @(<actly #hat I tol$ him myself+A 0or$ )arshmoreton &i&&le$+ :here is no other *er% that $escri%es the soun$ that procee$e$ from him+ @I feel youn& A he a$mitte$+ @I #ish some of the -u*eniles in the sho#s I5*e %een in A sai$ !illie @#ere as youn& as you+ It5s &ettin& so no#a$ays that one5s than'ful if a -u*enile has teeth+A >he &lance$ across the room+ @Cour pals are #al'in& out on you 9eor&e+ :he people you #ere lunchin& #ith A she e<plaine$+ @:hey5re lea*in&+A @:hat5s all ri&ht+ I sai$ &oo$.%ye to them+A "e loo'e$ at 0or$ )arshmoreton+ It seeme$ a suita%le opportunity to %rea' the ne#s+ @I #as lunchin& #ith )r+ an$ )rs+ !yn& A he sai$+

Iothin& appeare$ to stir %eneath 0or$ )arshmoreton5s tanne$ forehea$+ @8e&&ie !yn& an$ his #ife 0or$ )arshmoreton A a$$e$ 9eor&e+ :his time he secure$ the earl5s interest+ 0or$ )arshmoreton starte$+ @4hatGA @:hey are -ust off to 3aris A sai$ 9eor&e+ @8e&&ie !yn& is not marrie$GA @)arrie$ this mornin&+ I #as %est man+A @!usy little creatureGA inter-ecte$ !illie+ @!ut2%ut2GA @Cou 'no# his #ife A sai$ 9eor&e casually+ @>he #as a )iss =ara$ay+ I thin' she #as your secretary+A It #oul$ ha*e %een impossi%le to $eny that 0or$ )arshmoreton sho#e$ emotion+ "is mouth opene$ an$ he clutche$ the ta%lecloth+ !ut -ust #hat the emotion #as 9eor&e #as una%le to say till #ith a si&h that seeme$ to come from his innermost %ein& the other e<claime$ @:han' "ea*enGA 9eor&e #as surprise$+ @Cou5re &la$EA @/f course I5m &la$GA @It5s a pity they $i$n5t 'no# ho# you #ere &oin& to feel+ It #oul$ ha*e sa*e$ them a lot of an<iety+ I rather &athere$ they suppose$ that the shoc' #as apt to $ar'en your #hole life+A @:hat &irl A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton *ehemently @#as $ri*in& me craBy+ Al#ays %otherin& me to come an$ #or' on that $amne$ family history+ Ie*er &a*e me a moment5s peace MA @I li'e$ her A sai$ 9eor&e+ @Iice enou&h &irl A a$mitte$ his lor$ship &ru$&in&ly+ @!ut a $amne$ nuisance a%out the houseD al#ays at me to &o on #ith the family history+ As if there #eren5t %etter thin&s to $o #ith one5s time than #ritin& all $ay a%out my infernal fools of ancestorsGA @Isn5t $a$$a fractious to$ayEA sai$ !illie repro*in&ly &i*in& the (arl5s han$ a pat+ @Nuit 'noc'in& your ancestorsG Cou5re *ery luc'y to ha*e ancestors+ I #ish I ha$+ :he Dore family seems to &o %ac' a%out as far as the presi$ency of 4illar$ =ilmore an$ then it 'in$ of &ets $iscoura&e$ an$ Fuite col$+ 9eeG I5$ li'e to feel that my &reat.&reat.&reat. &ran$mother ha$ helpe$ Nueen (liBa%eth #ith the rent+ I5m stron& for the fine ol$ stately families of (n&lan$+A @>tately ol$ fi$$lestic'sGA snappe$ the earl+ @Di$ you see his eyes flash then 9eor&eE :hat5s #hat they call aristocratic ra&e+ It5s the fine ol$ spirit of the )arshmoretons %oilin& o*er+A @I notice$ it A sai$ 9eor&e+ @?ust li'e li&htnin&+A @It5s no use tryin& to fool us $a$$a A sai$ !illie+ @Cou 'no# -ust as #ell as I $o that it ma'es you feel &oo$ to thin' that e*ery time you cut yourself #ith your safety.raBor you %lee$ %lueGA @A lot of silly nonsenseGA &rum%le$ the earl+ @4hat isEA @:his foolery of titles an$ aristocracy+ >illy fetish.#orshipG /ne man5s as &oo$ as anotherM+A @:his is the spirit of H76GA sai$ 9eor&e appro*in&ly+

@8e&ular I+4+4+ stuff A a&ree$ !illie+ @>ha'e han$s the 3resi$ent of the !olshe*i'iGA 0or$ )arshmoreton i&nore$ the interruption+ :here #as a stran&e loo' in his eyes+ It #as e*i$ent to 9eor&e #atchin& him #ith close interest that here #as a re*elation of the man5s soulD that thou&hts loc'e$ a#ay for years in the other5s %osom #ere cryin& for utterance+ @Damne$ silly nonsenseG 4hen I #as a %oy I #ante$ to %e an en&ine.$ri*er+ 4hen I #as a youn& man I #as a >ocialist an$ ha$n5t any i$ea e<cept to #or' for my li*in& an$ ma'e a name for myself+ I #as &oin& to the colonies+ Cana$a+ :he fruit farm #as actually %ou&ht+ !ou&ht an$ pai$ forGA "e %roo$e$ a moment on that lon&.lost fruit farm+ @)y father #as a youn&er son+ An$ then my uncle must &o an$ %rea' his nec' huntin& an$ the %a%y poor little chap &ot croup or somethin& M An$ there I #as sa$$le$ #ith the title an$ all my plans &one up in smo'e M >illy nonsenseG >illy nonsenseGA "e %it the en$ of a ci&ar+ @An$ you can5t stan$ up a&ainst it A he #ent on ruefully+ @It saps you+ It5s li'e some $amne$ $ru&+ I fou&ht a&ainst it as lon& as I coul$ %ut it #as no use+ I5m as %i& a sno% as any of them no#+ I5m afrai$ to $o #hat I #ant to $o+ Al#ays thin'in& of the family $i&nity+ I ha*en5t ta'en a free step for t#enty.fi*e years+A 9eor&e an$ !illie e<chan&e$ &lances+ (ach ha$ the uncomforta%le feelin& that they #ere ea*es$roppin& an$ hearin& thin&s not meant to %e hear$+ 9eor&e rose+ @I must %e &ettin& alon& no# A he sai$+ @I5*e one or t#o thin&s to $o+ 9la$ to ha*e seen you a&ain !illie+ Is the sho# &oin& all ri&htEA @=ine+ )a'in& money for you ri&ht alon&+A @9oo$.%ye 0or$ )arshmoreton+A :he earl no$$e$ #ithout spea'in&+ It #as not often no# that he re%elle$ e*en in thou&hts a&ainst the lot #hich fate ha$ thrust upon him an$ ne*er in his life %efore ha$ he $one so in #or$s+ "e #as still in the &rip of the stran&e $iscontent #hich ha$ come upon him so a%ruptly+ :here #as a silence after 9eor&e ha$ &one+ @I5m &la$ #e met 9eor&e A sai$ !illie+ @"e5s a &oo$ %oy+A >he spo'e so%erly+ >he #as conscious of a curious feelin& of affection for the stur$y #eather.tanne$ little man opposite her+ :he &limpse she ha$ %een &i*en of his inner self ha$ someho# ma$e him come ali*e for her+ @"e #ants to marry my $au&hter A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ A fe# moments %efore !illie #oul$ un$ou%te$ly ha*e replie$ to such a statement #ith some -ocular remar' e<pressin& $is%elief that the earl coul$ ha*e a $au&hter ol$ enou&h to %e marrie$+ !ut no# she felt o$$ly serious an$ unli'e her usual flippant self+ @/hEA #as all she coul$ fin$ to say+ @>he #ants to marry him+A Iot for years ha$ !illie Dore felt em%arrasse$ %ut she felt so no#+ >he -u$&e$ herself un#orthy to %e the recipient of these *ery pri*ate confi$ences+ @/hEA she sai$ a&ain+ @"e5s a &oo$ fello#+ I li'e him+ I li'e$ him the moment #e met+ "e 'ne# it too+ An$ I 'ne# he li'e$ me+A A &roup of men an$ &irls from a nei&h%ourin& ta%le passe$ on their #ay to the $oor+ /ne of the &irls no$$e$ to !illie+ >he returne$ the no$ a%sently+ :he party mo*e$ on+ !illie fro#ne$ $o#n at the ta%lecloth an$ $re# a pattern on it #ith a for'+ @4hy $on5t you let 9eor&e marry your $au&hter 0or$ )arshmoretonEA

:he earl $re# at his ci&ar in silence+ @I 'no# it5s not my %usiness A sai$ !illie apolo&etically interpretin& the silence as a re%uff+ @!ecause I5m the (arl of )arshmoreton+A @I see+A @Io you $on5t A snappe$ the earl+ @Cou thin' I mean %y that that I thin' your frien$ isn5t &oo$ enou&h to marry my $au&hter+ Cou thin' that I5m an incura%le sno%+ An$ I5*e no $ou%t he thin's so too thou&h I too' the trou%le to e<plain my attitu$e to him #hen #e last met+ Cou5re #ron&+ It isn5t that at all+ 4hen I say HI5m the (arl of )arshmoreton5 I mean that I5m a poor spineless fool #ho5s afrai$ to $o the ri&ht thin& %ecause he $aren5t &o in the teeth of the family+A @I $on5t un$erstan$+ 4hat ha*e your family &ot to $o #ith itEA @:hey5$ #orry the life out of me+ I #ish you coul$ meet my sister CarolineG :hat5s #hat they5*e &ot to $o #ith it+ 9irls in my $au&hter5s unfortunate position ha*e &ot to marry position or money+A @4ell I $on5t 'no# a%out position %ut #hen it comes to money2#hy 9eor&e is the fello# that ma$e the $ollar.%ill famous+ "e an$ 8oc'efeller ha*e &ot all there is e<cept the little %it they ha*e let An$y Carne&ie ha*e for car.fare+A @4hat $o you meanE "e tol$ me he #or'e$ for a li*in&+A !illie #as %ecomin& herself a&ain+ (m%arrassment 8e$+ @If you call it #or'+ "e5s a composer+A @I 'no#+ 4rites tunes an$ thin&s+A !illie re&ar$e$ him compassionately+ @An$ I suppose li*in& out in the #oo$s the #ay that you $o that you ha*en5t a notion that they pay him for it+A @3ay himE Ces %ut ho# muchE Composers #ere not men in my $ay+A @I #ish you #oul$n5t tal' of Hyour $ay5 as if you tellin& the %oys $o#n at the corner store a%out the &oo$ they all ha$ %efore the =loo$+ Cou5re one of the Coun&er >et an$ $on5t let me ha*e to tell you a&ain+ >ay listenG Cou 'no# that sho# you sa# last ni&ht+ :he one #here I #as supporte$ %y a fe# un$erlin&s+ 4ell 9eor&e #rote the music for that+A @I 'no#+ "e tol$ me so+A @4ell $i$ he tell you that he $ra#s three per cent of the &ross receiptsE Cou sa# the house #e ha$ last ni&ht+ It #as a fair a*era&e house+ 4e are playin& to o*er fourteen thousan$ $ollars a #ee'+ 9eor&e5s little %it of that is2I can5t $o it in my hea$ %ut it5s a roun$ four hun$re$ $ollars+ :hat5s ei&hty poun$s of your money+ An$ $i$ he tell you that this same sho# ran o*er a year in Ie# Cor' to %i& %usiness all the time an$ that there are three companies on the roa$ no#E An$ $i$ he mention that this is the ninth sho# he5s $one an$ that se*en of the others #ere -ust as %i& hits as this oneE An$ $i$ he remar' in passin& that he &ets royalties on e*ery copy of his music that5s sol$ an$ that at least ten of his thin&s ha*e sol$ o*er half a millionE Io he $i$n5t %ecause he isn5t the sort of fello# #ho stan$s aroun$ %lo#in& a%out his income+ !ut you 'no# it no#+A @4hy he5s a rich manGA @I $on5t 'no# #hat you call rich %ut 'eepin& on the safe si$e I shoul$ say that 9eor&e pulls $o#n in a &oo$ year $urin& the season2aroun$ fi*e thousan$ $ollars a #ee'+A 0or$ )arshmoreton #as fran'ly sta&&ere$+

@A thousan$ poun$s a #ee'G I ha$ no i$eaGA @I thou&ht you ha$n5t+ An$ #hile I5m %oostin& 9eor&e let me tell you another thin&+ "e5s one of the #hitest men that e*er happene$+ I 'no# him+ Cou can ta'e it from me if there5s anythin& rotten in a fello# the sho#.%usiness #ill %rin& it out an$ it hasn5t come out in 9eor&e yet so I &uess it isn5t there+ 9eor&e is all ri&htGA @"e has at least an e<cellent a$*ocate+A @/h I5m stron& for 9eor&e+ I #ish there #ere more li'e him M 4ell if you thin' I5*e %utte$ in on your pri*ate affairs sufficiently I suppose I ou&ht to %e mo*in&+ 4e5*e a rehearsal this afternoon+A @0et it &oGA sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton %oyishly+ @Ces an$ ho# Fuic' $o you thin' they #oul$ let me &o if I $i$E I5m an honest #or'in&.&irl an$ I can5t affor$ to lose -o%s+A 0or$ )arshmoreton fi$$le$ #ith his ci&ar.%utt+ @I coul$ offer you an alternati*e position if you care$ to accept it+A !illie loo'e$ at him 'eenly+ /ther men in similar circumstances ha$ ma$e much the same remar' to her+ >he #as conscious of feelin& a little $isappointe$ in her ne# frien$+ @4ellEA she sai$ $ryly+ @>hoot+A @Cou &athere$ no $ou%t from )r+ !e*an5s con*ersation that my secretary has left me an$ run a#ay an$ &ot marrie$E 4oul$ you li'e to ta'e her placeEA It #as not easy to $isconcert !illie Dore %ut she #as ta'en a%ac'+ >he ha$ %een e<pectin& somethin& $ifferent+ @Cou5re a shrie' $a$$aGA @I5m perfectly serious+A @Can you see me at a castleEA @I can see you perfectly+A 0or$ )arshmoreton5s rather formal manner left him+ @Do please accept my $ear chil$+ I5*e &ot to finish this $amne$ family history some time or other+ :he family e<pect me to+ /nly yester$ay my sister Caroline &ot me in a corner an$ %ore$ me for half an hour a%out it+ I simply can5t face the prospect of &ettin& another from an a&ency+ Charmin& &irl charmin& &irl of course %ut M %ut M #ell I5ll %e $amne$ if I $o it an$ that5s the lon& an$ short of itGA !illie %u%%le$ o*er #ith lau&hter+ @/f all the impulsi*e 'i$sGA she &ur&le$+ @I ne*er met anyone li'e you $a$$aG Cou $on5t e*en 'no# that I can use a type#riter+A @I $o+ )r+ !e*an tol$ me you #ere an e<cellent steno&rapher+A @>o 9eor&e has %een %oostin& me too has heEA >he muse$+ @I must say I5$ lo*e to come+ :hat ol$ place &ot me #hen sa# it that $ay+A @:hat5s settle$ then A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton masterfully+ @9o to the theatre an$ tell them2tell #hate*er is usual in these cases+ An$ then &o home an$ pac' an$ meet me at 4aterloo at si< o5cloc'+ :he train lea*es at si<.fifteen+A @8eturn of the #an$erer accompanie$ %y $iBBy %lon$eG Cou5*e certainly &ot it all fi<e$ ha*en5t youG Do you thin' the family #ill stan$ for meEA @Damn the familyGA sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton stoutly+ @:here5s one thin& A sai$ !illie complacently eyein& her reflection in the mirror of her *anity.case @I may &litter in the fi&htin&.top %ut it is &enuine+ 4hen I #as a 'i$ I #as a re&ular little to#.hea$+A @I ne*er suppose$ for a moment that it #as anythin& %ut &enuine+A

@:hen you5*e &ot a fine unsuspicious nature $a$$a an$ I a$mire you for it+A @>i< o5cloc' at 4aterloo A sai$ the earl+ @I #ill %e #aitin& for you+A !illie re&ar$e$ him #ith affectionate a$miration+ @!oys #ill %e %oys A she sai$+ @All ri&ht+ I5ll %e there+A

Chapter 22
@Coun& %li&hte$ Al%ert A sai$ ;e&&s the %utler shiftin& his #ei&ht so that it $istri%ute$ itself more comforta%ly o*er the crea'in& chair in #hich he recline$ @let this %e a lesson to you youn& feller me la$+A :he $ay #as a #ee' after 0or$ )arshmoreton5s *isit to 0on$on the hour si< o5cloc'+ :he house'eeper5s room in #hich the upper ser*ants too' their meals ha$ emptie$+ /f the &ay company #hich ha$ -ust finishe$ $inner only ;e&&s remaine$ placi$ly $i&estin&+ Al%ert #hose $uty it #as to #ait on the upper ser*ants #as mo*in& to an$ fro morosely collectin& the plates an$ &lasses+ :he %oy #as in no happy frame of min$+ :hrou&hout $inner the con*ersation at ta%le ha$ $ealt almost e<clusi*ely #ith the no# cele%rate$ elopement of 8e&&ie !yn& an$ his %ri$e an$ fe# su%-ects coul$ ha*e ma$e more painful listenin& to Al%ert+ @4hat5s %een the result an$ #hat I mi&ht call the upshot A sai$ ;e&&s continuin& his homily @of all your ma'in& yourself so %usy an$ thrustin& of yourself for#ar$ an$ me$$lin& in the affairs of your el$ers an$ %ettersE :he upshot an$ issue of it Has %een that you are out fi*e shillin&s an$ nothin& to sho# for it+ =i*e shillin&s #hat you mi&ht ha*e spent on some &oo$ %oo' an$ impro*e$ your min$G An$ &oo$ness 'no#s it #ants all the impro*in& it can &et for of all the #orthless i$le little messers it5s e*er %een my misfortune to ha*e $ealin&s #ith you are the champion+ !e careful of them plates youn& man an$ $on5t %reathe so har$+ Cou Ha*en5t &ot hasthma or somethin& Ha*e youEA @I can5t %reathe no#GA complaine$ the stric'en chil$+ @Iot li'e a &rampus you can5t an$ $on5t you for&et it+A ;e&&s #a&&e$ his hea$ repro*in&ly+ @4ell so your 8e&&ie !yn&5s &one an$ elope$ has heG :hat ou&ht to teach you to %e more careful another time Ho# you &o &am%lin& an$ plun&in& into s#eepsta'es+ :he i$ea of a chil$ of your a&e Ha*in& the au$acity to thrust Hisself for#ar$ li'e thatGA @Don5t call him my 8e&&ie !yn&G I $i$n5t $ra# HimGA @:here5s no nee$ to &o into all that a&ain youn& feller+ Cou accepte$ Him freely an$ #ithout pre-u$ice #hen the fair e<chan&e #as su&&este$ so for all practical intents an$ purposes he is your 8e&&ie !yn&+ I Hope you5re &oin& to sen$ him a #e$$in&.present+A @4ell you ain5t any %etter off than me #ith all your Hi&h#ay ro%%eryGA @)y #hatGA @Cou Hear$ #hat I sai$+A @4ell $on5t let me Hear it a&ain+ :he i$eaG If you Ha$ any o%-ections to partin& #ith that tic'et you shoul$ ha*e state$ them clearly at the time+ An$ #hat $o you mean %y sayin& I ain5t any %etter off than you areEA @I Ha*e my reasons+A @Cou thin' you Ha*e #hich is a *ery $ifferent thin&+ I suppose you ima&ine that you5*e put a stopper on a certain little affair %y surreptitiously $estroyin& letters entruste$ to you+A @I ne*erGA e<claime$ Al%ert #ith a con*ulsi*e start that nearly sent ele*en plates

$ashin& to $estruction+ @H/# many times ha*e I &ot to tell you to %e careful of them platesEA sai$ ;e&&s sternly+ @4ho $o you thin' you are2a -u&&ler on the HAlls Hurlin& them a%out li'e thatE Ces I 'no# all a%out that letter+ Cou thou&ht you #as *ery cle*er I5*e no $ou%t+ !ut let me tell you youn& %li&hte$ Al%ert that only the other e*enin& Her la$yship an$ )r+ !e*an Ha$ a lon& an$ e<ten$e$ inter*ie# in spite of all your hefforts+ I sa# throu&h your little &ame an$ I procee$e$ an$ #ent an$ arran&e$ the meetin&+A In spite of himself Al%ert #as a#e$+ "e #as oppresse$ %y the sense of stru&&lin& #ith a superior intellect+ @Ces you $i$GA he mana&e$ to say #ith the proper note of incre$ulity %ut in his heart he #as not incre$ulous+ Dimly Al%ert ha$ %e&un to percei*e that years must elapse %efore he coul$ %ecome capa%le of matchin& himself in %attles of #its #ith this master. strate&ist+ @Ces I certainly $i$GA sai$ ;e&&s+ @I $on5t 'no# #hat Happene$ at the inter*ie#2not %ein& present in person+ !ut I5*e no $ou%t that e*erythin& procee$e$ satisfactorily+A @An$ a fat lot of &oo$ that5s &oin& to $o you #hen He ain5t allo#e$ to come insi$e the HouseGA A %lan$ smile irra$iate$ the %utler5s moon.li'e face+ @If %y He you5re alloo$in5 to )r+ !e*an youn& %li&hte$ Al%ert let me tell you that it #on5t %e lon& %efore He %ecomes a re&ular $uly in*ite$ &uest at the castleGA @A lot of chanceGA @4oul$ you care to Ha*e another fi*e shillin&s e*en money on itEA Al%ert recoile$+ "e ha$ ha$ enou&h of speculation #here the %utler #as concerne$+ 4here that schemer #as allo#e$ to &et #ithin reach of it har$ cash melte$ a#ay+ @4hat are you &oin& to $oEA @Ie*er you min$ #hat I5m &oin& to $o+ I Ha*e my metho$s+ All I Ha*e to say to you is that tomorro# or the $ay after )r+ !e*an #ill %e seate$ in our $inin&.5all #ith His feet un$er our ta%le replyin& accor$in& to his personal taste an$ preference #hen I as' Him if He5ll Ha*e Hoc' or sherry+ !rush all them crum%s carefully off the ta%lecloth youn& %li&hte$ Al%ert2$on5t shuffle your feet2%reathe softly throu&h your nose2an$ close the $oor %e5in$ you #hen you5*e finishe$GA @/h &o an$ eat ca'eGA sai$ Al%ert %itterly+ !ut he sai$ it to his immortal soul not alou$+ :he la$5s spirit #as %ro'en+ ;e&&s the processes of $i&estion complete$ presente$ himself %efore 0or$ !elpher in the %illiar$.room+ 3ercy #as alone+ :he house.party so numerous on the ni&ht of the %all an$ on his %irth$ay ha$ melte$ $o#n no# to reasona%le proportions+ :he secon$ an$ thir$ cousins ha$ retire$ flushe$ an$ &ratifie$ to o%scure $ens from #hich they ha$ emer&e$ an$ the castle house$ only the more prominent mem%ers of the family al#ays har$er to $islo$&e than the small fry+ :he !ishop still remaine$ an$ the Colonel+ !esi$es these there #ere perhaps half a $oBen more of the closer relations1 to 0or$ !elpher5s #ay of thin'in& half a $oBen too many+ "e #as not fon$ of his family+ @)i&ht I ha*e a #or$ #ith your lor$shipEA @4hat is it ;e&&sEA ;e&&s #as a self.possesse$ man %ut he foun$ it a little har$ to %e&in+ :hen he remem%ere$ that once in the misty past he ha$ seen 0or$ !elpher span'e$ for stealin& -am he himself ha*in& acte$ on that occasion as prosecutin& attorneyD an$ the memory

ner*e$ him+ @I earnestly Hope that your lor$ship #ill not thin' that I am ta'in& a li%erty+ I Ha*e %een in his lor$ship your father5s ser*ice many years no# an$ the family honour is if I may %e par$one$ for sayin& so e<tremely near my Heart+ I Ha*e 'no#n your lor$ship since you #ere a mere %oy an$ MA 0or$ !elpher ha$ listene$ #ith &ro#in& impatience to this pream%le+ "is temper #as sel$om at its %est these $ays an$ the rollin& perio$s annoye$ him+ @Ces yes of course A he sai$+ @4hat is itEA ;e&&s #as himself no#+ In his openin& remar's he ha$ simply %een as it #ere #in$in& up+ "e #as no# prepare$ to %e&in+ @Cour lor$ship #ill recall inFuirin& of me on the ni&ht of the %all as to the %ona fi$es of one of the temporary #aitersE :he one that state$ that He #as the cousin of youn& %li2of the %oy Al%ert the pa&eE I ha*e %een ma'in& inFuiries your lor$ship an$ I re&ret to say I fin$ that the man #as a impostor+ "e informe$ me that He #as Al%ert5s cousin %ut Al%ert no# informs me that He Has no cousin in America+ I am e<tremely sorry this shoul$ ha*e occurre$ your lor$ship an$ I Hope you attri%ute it to the %ustle an$ haste insepara%le from $uties as mine on such a occasion+A @I 'no# the fello# #as an impostor+ "e #as pro%a%ly after the spoonsGA ;e&&s cou&he$+ @If I mi&ht %e allo#e$ to ta'e a further li%erty your lor$ship mi&ht I su&&est that I am a#are of the man5s i$entity an$ of his moti*e for *isitin& the castle+A "e #aite$ a little apprehensi*ely+ :his #as the crucial point in the inter*ie#+ If 0or$ !elpher $i$ not no# freeBe him #ith a &lance an$ or$er him from the room the $an&er #oul$ %e past an$ he coul$ spea' freely+ "is li&ht %lue eyes #ere e<pressionless as they met 3ercy5s %ut in#ar$ly he #as feelin& much the same sensation as he #as #ont to e<perience #hen the family #as in to#n an$ he ha$ mana&e$ to slip off to ;empton 3ar' or some other race.course an$ put some of his sa*in&s on a horse+ As he felt #hen the racin& stee$s thun$ere$ $o#n the strai&ht so $i$ he feel no#+ Astonishment sho#e$ in 0or$ !elpher5s roun$ face+ ?ust as it #as a%out to %e succee$e$ %y in$i&nation the %utler spo'e a&ain+ @I am a#are your lor$ship that it is not my place to offer su&&estions as to the pri*ate an$ intimate affairs of the family I Ha*e the honour to ser*e %ut if your lor$ship #oul$ consent to o*erloo' the li%erty I thin' I coul$ %e of Help an$ assistance in a matter #hich is causin& annoyance an$ unpleasantness to all+A "e in*i&orate$ himself #ith another $ip into the #aters of memory+ Ces+ :he youn& man %efore him mi&ht %e 0or$ !elpher son of his employer an$ heir to all these &reat estates %ut once he ha$ seen him span'e$+ 3erhaps 3ercy also remem%ere$ this+ 3erhaps he merely felt that ;e&&s #as a faithful ol$ ser*ant an$ as such entitle$ to thrust himself into the family affairs+ 4hate*er his reasons he no# $efinitely lo#ere$ the %arrier+ @4ell A he sai$ #ith a &lance at the $oor to ma'e sure that there #ere no #itnesses to an act of #hich the aristocrat in him $isappro*e$ @&o onGA ;e&&s %reathe$ freely+ :he $an&er.point #as past+ @HA*in& a natural interest your lor$ship A he sai$ @#e of the >er*ants5 HAll &enerally mana&e to %ecome respectfully a#are of #hate*er Happens to %e transpirin5 a%o*e stairs+ )ay I say that I %ecame acFuainte$ at an early sta&e #ith the trou%le #hich your lor$ship

is unfortunately Ha*in& #ith a certain partyEA 0or$ !elpher althou&h his #hole %ein& re*olte$ a&ainst #hat practically amounte$ to ho%no%%in& #ith a %utler percei*e$ that he ha$ committe$ himself to the $iscussion+ It re*olte$ him to thin' that these $elicate family secrets #ere the su%-ect of con*ersation in menial circles %ut it #as too late to $o anythin& no#+ An$ such #as the #hole. hearte$ness #ith #hich he ha$ $eclare$ #ar upon 9eor&e !e*an that at this sta&e in the procee$in&s his chief emotion #as a hope that ;e&&s mi&ht ha*e somethin& sensi%le to su&&est+ @I thin' %e&&in& your lor$ship5s par$on for ma'in& the remar' that you are actin& in-u$icious+ I Ha*e %een in ser*ice a &reat num%er of years startin5 as ste#ar$5s room %oy an$ risin& to my present position an$ I may say I Ha*e Ha$ e<perience $urin& those years of se*eral cases #here the $au&hter or son of the House contemplate$ a misalliance an$ all %ut one of the cases en$e$ $isastrously your lor$ship on account of the family tryin& opposition+ It is my e<perience that opposition in matters of the Heart is useless fee$in5 as it so to spea' $oes the flame+ Coun& people your lor$ship if I may %e par$one$ for employin& the e<pression in the present case are naturally romantic an$ if you 'eep Hem a#ay from a thin& they sit an$ pity themsel*es an$ #ant it all the more+ An$ in the en$ you may %e sure they &et it+ :here5s no #ay of stoppin5 them+ I #as not on sufficiently easy terms #ith the late 0or$ 4orlin&ham to &i*e Him the %enefit of my e<perience on the occasion #hen the "onoura%le Au%rey 3ershore fell in lo*e #ith the youn& person at the 9aiety :heatre+ /ther#ise I coul$ Ha*e tol$ Him he #as not actin& -u$icious+ "is lor$ship oppose$ the match in e*ery #ay an$ the youn& couple ran off an$ &ot marrie$ at a re&istrar5s+ It #as the same #hen a youn& man #ho #as tutor to Her la$yship5s %rother attracte$ 0a$y (*elyn 4alls the only $au&hter of the (arl of Ac'leton+ In fact your lor$ship the only entan&lement of the 'in$ that came to a satisfactory conclusion in the #hole of my personal e<perience #as the affair of 0a$y Catherine Duse%y 0or$ !ri$&efiel$5s $au&hter #ho in-u$iciously %ecame infatuate$ #ith a roller.s'atin& instructor+A 0or$ !elpher ha$ cease$ to feel $istantly superior to his companion+ :he %utler5s po#erful personality hypnotiBe$ him+ 0on& ere the haran&ue #as en$e$ he #as as a little chil$ $rin'in& in the utterances of a master+ "e %ent for#ar$ ea&erly+ ;e&&s ha$ %ro'en off his remar's at the most interestin& point+ @4hat happene$EA inFuire$ 3ercy+ @:he youn& man A procee$e$ ;e&&s @#as a youn& man of consi$era%le personal attractions Ha*in& lar&e %ro#n eyes an$ a athletic lissome fi&ure %rou&ht a%out %y roller. s'atin&+ It #as no #on$er in the opinion of the >er*ants5 HAll that Her la$yship shoul$ ha*e foun$ Herself fascinate$ %y him particularly as I myself Ha$ Hear$ her o%ser*e at a full luncheon.ta%le that roller.s'atin& #as in her opinion the only thin& e<cept her toy 3omeranian that ma$e life #orth li*in&+ !ut #hen she announce$ that she ha$ %ecome en&a&e$ to this youn& man there #as the &reatest consternation+ I #as not of course pri*ile&e$ to %e a participant at the many councils an$ $iscussions that ensue$ an$ too' place %ut I #as a#are that such transpire$ #ith &reat freFuency+ (*entually His lor$ship too' the shre#$ step of assumin& acFuiescence an$ in*itin& the youn& man to *isit us in >cotlan$+ An$ #ithin ten $ays of his arri*al your lor$ship the match #as %ro'en off+ "e #ent %ac' to His roller.s'atin& an$ Her la$yship too' up *isitin& the poor an$ e*entually contracte$ an alto&ether suita%le alliance %y marryin& 0or$ 8onal$ >pofforth the secon$

son of his 9race the Du'e of 9or%als an$ >trath%un&o+A @"o# $i$ it happenEA @>eein5 the youn& man in the surroun$in&s of Her o#n Home Her la$yship soon %e&an to see that she ha$ ta'en too romantic a *ie# of Him pre*ious your lor$ship+ H( #as one of the lo#er mi$$le class #hat is sometimes terme$ the %our-oisy an$ His Ha%its #ere not the Ha%its of the class to #hich Her la$yship %elon&e$+ H( Ha$ nothin& in common #ith the rest of the House.party an$ #as in-u$icious in His choice of for's+ :he *ery first ni&ht at $inner He too' a steel 'nife to the ontray an$ I see Her la$yship loo' at him *ery sharp as much as to say that scales ha$ fallen from Her eyes+ It $i$n5t ta'e Her lon& after that to %ecome con*ince$ that Her Heart Ha$ le$ Her astray+A @:hen you thin'2EA @It is not for me to presume to offer anythin& %ut the most respectful a$*ice your lor$ship %ut I shoul$ most certainly a$*ocate a similar proce$ure in the present instance+A 0or$ !elpher reflecte$+ 8ecent e*ents ha$ %rou&ht home to him the ma&nitu$e of the tas' he ha$ assume$ #hen he ha$ appointe$ himself the #atcher of his sister5s mo*ements+ :he affair of the curate an$ the *illa&e %lac'smith ha$ sha'en him %oth physically an$ spiritually+ "is feet #ere still sore an$ his confi$ence in himself ha$ #ane$ consi$era%ly+ :he thou&ht of ha*in& to continue his espiona&e in$efinitely #as not a pleasant one+ "o# much simpler an$ more effecti*e it #oul$ %e to a$opt the su&&estion #hich ha$ %een offere$ to him+ @2I5m not sure you aren5t ri&ht ;e&&s+A @:han' you your lor$ship+ I feel con*ince$ of it+A @I #ill spea' to my father toni&ht+A @Jery &oo$ your lor$ship+ I am &la$ to ha*e %een of ser*ice+A @Coun& %li&hte$ Al%ert A sai$ ;e&&s crisply shortly after %rea'fast on the follo#in& mornin& @you5re to ta'e this note to )r+ !e*an at the cotta&e $o#n %y 3latt5s farm an$ you5re to $eli*er it #ithout playin& any of your mon'ey.tric's an$ you5re to #ait for an ans#er an$ you5re to %rin& that ans#er %ac' to me too an$ to 0or$ )arshmoreton+ An$ I may tell you to sa*e you the trou%le of openin& it #ith steam from the 'itchen 'ettle that I Ha*e alrea$y $one so+ It5s an in*itation to $ine #ith us toni&ht+ >o no# you 'no#+ 0oo' slippyGA Al%ert capitulate$+ =or the first time in his life he felt hum%le+ "e percei*e$ ho# mis&ui$e$ he ha$ %een e*er to suppose that he coul$ pit his pi&my #its a&ainst this smooth.face$ #or'er of #on$ers+ @Cri'eyGA he e-aculate$+ It #as all that he coul$ say+ @An$ there5s one more thin& youn& feller me la$ A a$$e$ ;e&&s earnestly @$on5t you e*er &ro# up to %e such a fat5ea$ as our frien$ 3ercy+ Don5t for&et I #arne$ you+A

Chapter 23
0ife is li'e some craBy machine that is al#ays &oin& either too slo# or too fast+ =rom the cra$le to the &ra*e #e alternate %et#een the >ar&asso >ea an$ the rapi$s2fore*er either %ecalme$ or storm.tosse$+ It seeme$ to )au$ as she loo'e$ across the $inner.ta%le in or$er to ma'e sure for the t#entieth time that it really #as 9eor&e !e*an #ho sat opposite her that after months in #hich nothin& #hate*er ha$ happene$ she #as no#

li*in& throu&h a perio$ #hen e*erythin& #as happenin& at once+ 0ife from %ein& a %ro'en.$o#n machine ha$ su$$enly %e&un to race+ :o the or$erly routine that stretche$ %ac' to the time #hen she ha$ %een hurrie$ home in $is&race from 4ales there ha$ succee$e$ a ma$ #hirl of e*ents to #hich the miracle of toni&ht ha$ come as a fittin& clima<+ >he ha$ not %e&un to $ress for $inner till some#hat late an$ ha$ conseFuently entere$ the $ra#in&.room -ust as ;e&&s #as announcin& that the meal #as rea$y+ >he ha$ recei*e$ her first shoc' #hen the lo*e.sic' 3lummer emer&in& from a mi<e$ cro#$ of relati*es an$ frien$s ha$ informe$ her that he #as to ta'e her in+ >he ha$ not e<pecte$ 3lummer to %e there thou&h he li*e$ in the nei&h%ourhoo$+ 3lummer at their last meetin& ha$ state$ his intention of &oin& a%roa$ for a %it to men$ his %ruise$ heart1 an$ it #as a little $isconcertin& to a sensiti*e &irl to fin$ her *ictim poppin& up a&ain li'e this+ >he $i$ not 'no# that as far as 3lummer #as concerne$ the #hole affair #as to %e consi$ere$ opene$ a&ain+ :o 3lummer analysin& the &irl5s moti*es in refusin& him there ha$ come the i$ea that there #as Another an$ that this other must %e 8e&&ie !yn&+ =rom the first he ha$ al#ays loo'e$ upon 8e&&ie as his #orst ri*al+ An$ no# 8e&&ie ha$ %olte$ #ith the =ara$ay &irl lea*in& )au$ in e<cellent con$ition so it seeme$ to 3lummer to console herself #ith a #orthier man+ 3lummer 'ne# all a%out the 8e%oun$ an$ the part it plays in the affairs of the heart+ "is o#n %reach.of.promise case t#o years earlier ha$ %een entirely $ue to the fact that the refusal of the youn&est De*enish &irl to marry him ha$ cause$ him to re%oun$ into the $an&erous society of the secon$ &irl from the /+3+ en$ of the first ro# in the @>ummertime is ;issin&.timeA num%er in the Alham%ra re*ue+ "e ha$ come to the castle toni&ht &loomy %ut not #ithout hope+ )au$5s secon$ shoc' eclipse$ the first entirely+ Io notification ha$ %een &i*en to her either %y her father or %y 3ercy of the propose$ e<tension of the han$ of hospitality to 9eor&e an$ the si&ht of him stan$in& there tal'in& to her aunt Caroline ma$e her momentarily $iBBy+ 0ife #hich for se*eral $ays ha$ ha$ all the properties no# of a $ream no# of a ni&htmare %ecame more unreal than e*er+ >he coul$ concei*e no e<planation of 9eor&e5s presence+ "e coul$ not %e there2that #as all there #as to itD yet there un$ou%te$ly he #as+ "er manner as she accompanie$ 3lummer $o#n the stairs too' on such a $aBe$ s#eetness that her escort felt that in comin& there that ni&ht he ha$ $one the #isest act of a lifetime stu$$e$ %ut sparsely #ith #ise acts+ It seeme$ to 3lummer that this &irl ha$ softene$ to#ar$s him+ Certainly somethin& ha$ chan&e$ her+ "e coul$ not 'no# that she #as merely #on$erin& if she #as a#a'e+ 9eor&e mean#hile across the ta%le #as also ha*in& a little $ifficulty in a$-ustin& his faculties to the pro&ress of e*ents+ "e ha$ &i*en up tryin& to ima&ine #hy he ha$ %een in*ite$ to this $inner an$ #as no# en$ea*ourin& to fin$ some theory #hich #oul$ sFuare #ith the fact of !illie Dore %ein& at the castle+ At precisely this hour !illie %y ri&hts shoul$ ha*e %een puttin& the finishin& touches on her ma'e.up in a secon$.floor $ressin&.room at the 8e&al+ Cet there she sat *ery much at her ease in this aristocratic company so Fuietly an$ uno%trusi*ely $resse$ in some %lac' stuff that at first he ha$ scarcely reco&niBe$ her+ >he #as tal'in& to the !ishopM :he *oice of ;e&&s at his el%o# %ro'e in on his re*erie+ @>herry or Hoc' sirEA 9eor&e coul$ not ha*e e<plaine$ #hy this remin$er of the %utler5s presence shoul$ ha*e ma$e him feel %etter %ut it $i$+ :here #as somethin& soli$ an$ tranFuiliBin& a%out

;e&&s+ "e ha$ notice$ it %efore+ =or the first time the sensation of ha*in& %een smitten o*er the hea$ #ith some %lunt instrument %e&an to a%ate+ It #as as if ;e&&s %y the mere intonation of his *oice ha$ sai$ @All this no $ou%t seems *ery stran&e an$ unusual to you %ut feel no alarmG ?am hereGA 9eor&e %e&an to sit up an$ ta'e notice+ A clou$ seeme$ to ha*e cleare$ from his %rain+ "e foun$ himself loo'in& on his fello#.$iners as in$i*i$uals rather than as a confuse$ mass+ :he prophet Daniel after the initial em%arrassment of fin$in& himself in the society of the lions ha$ passe$ a#ay must ha*e e<perience$ a some#hat similar sensation+ "e %e&an to sort these people out an$ la%el them+ :here ha$ %een intro$uctions in the $ra#in&.room %ut they ha$ left him #ith a %e#il$ere$ sense of ha*in& hear$ some%o$y recite a pa&e from !ur'e5s peera&e+ Iot since that $ay in the free li%rary in 0on$on #hen he ha$ $i*e$ into that fascinatin& *olume in or$er to $isco*er )au$5s i$entity ha$ he un$er&one such a rain of titles+ "e no# too' stoc' to ascertain ho# many of these people he coul$ i$entify+ :he stoc'.ta'in& #as an a%solute failure+ /f all those present the only in$i*i$uals he coul$ s#ear to #ere his o#n personal little playmates #ith #hom he ha$ sporte$ in other surroun$in&s+ :here #as 0or$ !elpher for instance eyein& him #ith a hostility that coul$ har$ly %e calle$ *eile$+ :here #as 0or$ )arshmoreton at the hea$ of the ta%le listenin& &lumly to the con*ersation of a stout #oman #ith a pearl nec'lace %ut #ho #as that #omanE 4as it 0a$y ?ane Allen%y or 0a$y ($ith 4a$e.!e*erly or 0a$y 3atricia =o#lesE An$ #ho a%o*e all #as the pie.face$ fello# #ith the moustache tal'in& to )au$E "e sou&ht assistance from the &irl he ha$ ta'en in to $inner+ >he appeare$ as far as he coul$ ascertain from a short acFuaintance to %e an amia%le little thin&+ >he #as small an$ youn& an$ fluffy an$ he ha$ cau&ht enou&h of her name at the moment of intro$uction to &ather that she #as plain @)issA >omethin&2a fact #hich seeme$ to him to $ra# them to&ether+ @I #ish you #oul$ tell me #ho some of these people are A he sai$ as she turne$ from tal'in& to the man on her other.si$e+ @4ho is the man o*er thereEA @4hich manEA @:he one tal'in& to 0a$y )au$+ :he fello# #hose face ou&ht to %e shuffle$ an$ $ealt a&ain+A @:hat5s my %rother+A :hat hel$ 9eor&e $urin& the soup+ @I5m sorry a%out your %rother A he sai$ rallyin& #ith the fish+ @:hat5s *ery s#eet of you+A @It #as the li&ht that $ecei*e$ me+ Io# that I loo' a&ain I see that his face has &reat charm+A :he &irl &i&&le$+ 9eor&e %e&an to feel %etter+ @4ho are some of the othersE I $i$n5t &et your name for instance+ :hey shot it at me so Fuic' that it ha$ #hiBBe$ %y %efore I coul$ catch it+A @)y name is 3lummer+A 9eor&e #as electrifie$+ "e loo'e$ across the ta%le #ith more *i*i$ interest+ :he amorous 3lummer ha$ %een -ust a Joice to him till no#+ It #as e<citin& to see him in the flesh+

@An$ #ho are the rest of themEA @:hey are all mem%ers of the family+ I thou&ht you 'ne# them+A @I 'no# 0or$ )arshmoreton+ An$ 0a$y )au$+ An$ of course 0or$ !elpher+A "e cau&ht 3ercy5s eye as it sur*eye$ him col$ly from the other si$e of the ta%le an$ no$$e$ cheerfully+ @9reat pal of mine 0or$ !elpher+A :he fluffy )iss 3lummer t#iste$ her pretty face into a &rimace of $isappro*al+ @I $on5t li'e 3ercy+A @IoGA @I thin' he5s conceite$+A @>urely notE H4hat coul$ he ha*e to %e conceite$ a%outEA @"e5s stiff+A @Ces of course that5s ho# he stri'es people at first+ :he first time I met him I thou&ht he #as an a#ful stiff+ !ut you shoul$ see him in his moments of rela<ation+ "e5s one of those fello#s you ha*e to &et to 'no#+ "e &ro#s on you+A @Ces %ut loo' at that affair #ith the policeman in 0on$on+ (*ery%o$y in the county is tal'in& a%out it+A @Coun& %loo$GA si&he$ 9eor&e+ @Coun& %loo$G /f course 3ercy is #il$+A @"e must ha*e %een into<icate$+A @/h un$ou%te$ly A sai$ 9eor&e+ )iss 3lummer &lance$ across the ta%le+ @Do loo' at ($#inGA @4hich is ($#inEA @)y %rother I mean+ 0oo' at the #ay he 'eeps starin& )au$+ ($#in5s a#fully in lo*e #ith )au$ A she rattle$ on #ith en&a&in& fran'ness+ @At least he thin's he is+ "e5s %een in lo*e #ith a $ifferent &irl e*ery season since I came out+ An$ no# that 8e&&ie !yn& has &one an$ marrie$ Alice =ara$ay he thin's he has a chance+ Cou hear$ a%out that I supposeEA @Ces I $i$ hear somethin& a%out it+A @/f course ($#in5s #astin& his time really+ I happen to 'no#A2)iss 3lummer san' her *oice to a #hisper2AI happen to 'no# that )au$5s a#fully in lo*e #ith some man she met in 4ales last year %ut the family #on5t hear of it+A @=amilies are li'e that A a&ree$ 9eor&e+ @Io%o$y 'no#s #ho he is %ut e*ery%o$y in the county 'no#s all a%out it+ :hose thin&s &et a%out you 'no#+ /f course out of the Fuestion+ )au$ #ill ha*e to marry some%o$y a#fully rich or #ith a title+ "er family5s one of the ol$est in (n&lan$ you 'no#+A @>o I un$erstan$+A @It isn5t as if she #ere the $au&hter of 0or$ 3ee%les some%o$y li'e that+A @4hy 0or$ 3ee%lesEA @4ell #hat I mean to say is A sai$ )iss 3lummer #ith sil*ery echo of 8e&&ie !yn& @he ma$e his money in #his'y+A @:hat5s %etter than spen$in& it that #ay A ar&ue$ 9eor&e+ )iss 3lummer loo'e$ puBBle$+ @I see #hat you mean A she sai$ a little *a&uely+ @0or$ )arshmoreton is so $ifferent+A @"au&hty no%leman stuff ehEA @Ces+A

@>o you thin' this mysterious man in 4ales hasn5t a chanceEA @Iot unless he an$ )au$ elope li'e 8e&&ie !yn& an$ Alice+ 4asn5t that e<citin&E 4ho #oul$ e*er ha*e suspecte$ 8e&&ie ha$ the $ash to $o a thin& li'e thatE 0or$ )arshmoreton5s ne# secretary is *ery pretty $on5t you thin'EA @4hich is sheEA @:he &irl in %lac' #ith the &ol$en hair+A @Is she 0or$ )arshmoreton5s secretaryEA @Ces+ >he5s an American &irl+ I thin' she5s much nicer than Alice =ara$ay+ I #as tal'in& to her %efore $inner+ "er name is Dore+ "er father #as a captain in the American army #ho $ie$ #ithout lea*in& her a penny+ "e #as the youn&er son of a *ery $istin&uishe$ family %ut his family $iso#ne$ him %ecause he marrie$ a&ainst their #ishes+A @>omethin& ou&ht to %e $one to stop these families A sai$ 9eor&e+ @:hey5re al#ays up to somethin&+A @>o )iss Dore ha$ to &o out an$ earn her o#n li*in&+ It must ha*e %een a#ful for her mustn5t it ha*in& to &i*e up society+A @Di$ she &i*e up societyEA @/h yes+ >he use$ to &o e*ery#here in Ie# Cor' %efore her father $ie$+ I thin' American &irls are #on$erful+ :hey ha*e so much enterprise+A 9eor&e at the moment #as thin'in& that it #as in ima&ination that they e<celle$+ @I #ish I coul$ &o out an$ earn my li*in& A sai$ )iss 3lummer+ @!ut the family #on5t $ream of it+A @:he family a&ainGA sai$ 9eor&e sympathetically+ @:hey5re a perfect curse+A @I #ant to &o on the sta&e+ Are you fon$ of the theatreEA @=airly+A @I lo*e it+ "a*e you see "u%ert !roa$lei&h in @H:#as /nce in >prin&5EA @I5m afrai$ I ha*en5t+A @"e5s #on$erful+ "a*e you see Cynthia Dane in HA 4oman5s Io5EA @I misse$ that one too+A @3erhaps you prefer musical piecesE I sa# an a#fully &oo$ musical come$y %efore I left to#n+ It5s calle$ H=ollo# the 9irl5+ It5s at the 8e&al :heatre+ "a*e you see itEA @I #rote it+A @Cou2#hatGA @:hat is to say I #rote the music+A @!ut the music5s lo*ely A &aspe$ little )iss 3lummer as if the fact ma$e his claim ri$iculous+ @I5*e %een hummin& it e*er since+A @I can5t help that+ I still stic' to it that I #rote it+A @Cou aren5t 9eor&e !e*anGA @I amGA @!ut2A )iss 3lummer5s *oice almost faile$ here2A!ut I5*e %een $ancin& to your music for yearsG I5*e &ot a%out fifty of your recor$s on the Jictrola at home+A 9eor&e %lushe$+ "o#e*er successful a man may %e he can ne*er &et use$ to =ame at close ran&e+ @4hy that tric'y thin&2you 'no# in the secon$ act2is the $arlin&est thin& I e*er hear$+ I5m ma$ a%out it+A @Do you mean the one that &oes lumty.lumty.tum tumty.tumty.tumEA

@Io the one that &oes ta.rumty.tum.tum ta.rumty.tum+ Cou 'no#G :he one a%out 9ranny $ancin& the shimmy+A @I5m not responsi%le for the #or$s you 'no# A ur&e$ 9eor&e hastily+ @:hose are #ishe$ on me %y the lyrist+A @I thin' the #or$s are splen$i$+ Althou&h poor popper thin's its improper 9ranny5s al#ays $oin& it an$ no%o$y can stop herG I lo*e$ it+A )iss 3lummer leane$ for#ar$ e<cite$ly+ >he #as an impulsi*e &irl+ @0a$y Caroline+A Con*ersation stoppe$+ 0a$y Caroline turne$+ @Ces )illieEA @Di$ you 'no# that )r+ !e*an #as :"( )r+ !e*anEA (*ery%o$y #as listenin& no#+ 9eor&e hu$$le$ pin'ly in his chair+ "e ha$ not foreseen this %ally.hooin&+ >ha$rach )eschach an$ A%e$ne&o com%ine$ ha$ ne*er felt a tithe of the #armth that consume$ him+ "e #as essentially a mo$est youn& man+ @:"( )r+ !e*anEA echoe$ 0a$y Caroline col$ly+ It #as painful to her to ha*e to reco&niBe 9eor&e5s e<istence on the same planet as herself+ :o a$mire him as )iss 3lummer apparently e<pecte$ her to $o #as a loathsome tas'+ >he cast one &lance fresh from the refri&erator at the shrin'in& 9eor&e an$ ele*ate$ her aristocratic eye%ro#s+ )iss 3lummer #as not $ampe$+ >he #as at the hero.#orshippin& a&e an$ 9eor&e share$ #ith the )essrs+ =air%an's =rancis O+ !ushman an$ one or t#o tennis champions an imposin& pe$estal in her "all of =ame+ @Cou 'no#G 9eor&e !e*an #ho #rote the music of H=ollo# the 9irl5+A 0a$y Caroline sho#e$ no si&ns of tha#in&+ >he ha$ not hear$ of H=ollo# the 9irl5+ "er attitu$e su&&este$ that #hile she a$mitte$ the possi%ility of 9eor&e ha*in& $is&race$ himself in the manner in$icate$ it #as nothin& to her+ @An$ all those other thin&s A pursue$ )iss 3lummer in$efati&a%ly+ @Cou must ha*e hear$ his music on the Jictrola+A @4hy of courseGA It #as not 0a$y Caroline #ho spo'e %ut a man further $o#n the ta%le+ "e spo'e #ith enthusiasm+ @/f course %y ?o*eGA he sai$+ @:he >chenecta$y >himmy %y ?o*e an$ all thatG 8ippin&GA (*ery%o$y seeme$ please$ an$ intereste$+ (*ery%o$y that is to say e<cept 0a$y Caroline an$ 0or$ !elpher+ 3ercy #as feelin& that he ha$ %een tric'e$+ "e curse$ the im%ecility of ;e&&s in su&&estin& that this man shoul$ %e in*ite$ to $inner+ (*erythin& ha$ &one #ron&+ 9eor&e #as an un$ou%te$ success+ :he ma-ority of the company #ere soli$ for him+ As far as e<posin& his un#orthiness in the eyes of )au$ #as concerne$ the $inner ha$ %een a &hastly failure+ )uch %etter to ha*e left him to lur' in his infernal cotta&e+ 0or$ !elpher $raine$ his &lass moo$ily+ "e #as seriously upset+ !ut his $iscomfort at that moment #as as nothin& to the a&ony #hich rent his torture$ soul a moment later+ 0or$ )arshmoreton #ho ha$ %een listenin& #ith &ro#in& e<citement to the chorus of appro*al rose from his seat+ "e cleare$ his throat+ It #as plain that 0or$ )arshmoreton ha$ somethin& on his min$+ @(rM+A he sai$+ :he clatter of con*ersation cease$ once more2stunne$ as it al#ays is at $inner parties #hen one of the &atherin& is seen to ha*e assume$ an upri&ht position+ 0or$ )arshmoreton cleare$ his throat a&ain+ "is tanne$ face ha$ ta'en on a $eeper hue an$

there #as a loo' in his eyes #hich seeme$ to su&&est that he #as $efyin& somethin& or some%o$y+ It #as the loo' #hich A-a< ha$ in his eyes #hen he $efie$ the li&htnin& the loo' #hich ner*ous hus%an$s ha*e #hen they announce their intention of &oin& roun$ the corner to %o#l a fe# &ames #ith the %oys+ /ne coul$ not say $efinitely that 0or$ )arshmoreton loo'e$ pop.eye$+ /n the other han$ one coul$ not assert truthfully that he $i$ not+ At any rate he #as manifestly em%arrasse$+ "e ha$ ma$e up his min$ to a certain course of action on the spur of the moment ta'in& a$*anta&e as others ha*e $one of the tren$ of popular enthusiasm1 an$ his state of min$ #as ner*ous %ut resolute li'e that of a sol$ier &oin& o*er the top+ "e cleare$ his throat for the thir$ time too' one s#ift &lance at his sister Caroline then &aBe$ &lassily into the emptiness a%o*e her hea$+ @:a'e this opportunity A he sai$ rapi$ly clutchin& at the ta%le.cloth for support @ta'e this opportunity of announcin& the en&a&ement of my $au&hter )au$ to )r+ !e*an+ An$ A he conclu$e$ #ith a rush pourin& %ac' into his chair @I shoul$ li'e you all to $rin' their healthGA :here #as a silence that hurt+ It #as %ro'en %y t#o soun$s occurrin& simultaneously in $ifferent parts of the room+ /ne #as a &asp from 0a$y Caroline+ :he other #as a crash of &lass+ =or the first time in a lon& un%lemishe$ career ;e&&s the %utler ha$ $roppe$ a tray+

Chapter 24
/ut on the terrace the ni&ht #as *ery still+ =rom a steel.%lue s'y the stars loo'e$ $o#n as calmly as they ha$ loo'e$ on the ni&ht of the %all #hen 9eor&e ha$ #aite$ %y the shru%%ery listenin& to the #ailin& of the music an$ thin'in& lon& thou&hts+ =rom the $ar' mea$o#s %y the %roo' came the cry of a corncra'e its harsh note softene$ %y $istance+ @4hat shall #e $oEA sai$ )au$+ >he #as sittin& on the stone seat #here 8e&&ie !yn& ha$ sat an$ me$itate$ on his lo*e for Alice =ara$ay an$ his unfortunate ha%it of slicin& his approach.shots+ :o 9eor&e as he stoo$ %esi$e her she #as a #hite %lur in the $ar'ness+ "e coul$ not see her face+ @I $on5t 'no#GA he sai$ fran'ly+ Ior $i$ he+ 0i'e 0a$y Caroline an$ 0or$ !elpher an$ ;e&&s the %utler he ha$ %een completely o*er#helme$ %y 0or$ )arshmoreton5s $ramatic announcement+ :he situation ha$ come upon him unheral$e$ %y any #arnin& an$ ha$ foun$ him uneFual to it+ A cho'in& soun$ su$$enly procee$e$ from the #hiteness that #as )au$+ In the stillness it soun$e$ li'e some lou$ noise+ It -arre$ on 9eor&e5s $istur%e$ ner*es+ @3leaseGA @I c.can5t help itGA @:here5s nothin& to cry a%out reallyG If #e thin' lon& enou&h #e shall fin$ some #ay out all ri&ht+ 3lease $on5t cry+A @I5m not cryin&GA :he cho'in& soun$ %ecame an unmista'a%le ripple of mirth+ @It5s so a%sur$G 3oor father &ettin& up li'e that in front of e*eryoneG Di$ you see Aunt Caroline5s faceEA @It haunts me still A sai$ 9eor&e+ @I shall ne*er for&et it+ Cour %rother $i$n5t seem any too please$ either+A )au$ stoppe$ lau&hin&+

@It5s an a#ful position A she sai$ so%erly+ @:he announcement #ill %e in the )ornin& 3ost the $ay after tomorro#+ An$ then the letters of con&ratulation #ill %e&in to pour in+ An$ after that the presents+ An$ I simply can5t see ho# #e can con*ince them all that there has %een a mista'e+A Another aspect of the matter struc' her+ @It5s so har$ on you too+A @Don5t thin' a%out me A ur&e$ 9eor&e+ @"ea*en 'no#s I5$ &i*e the #hole #orl$ if #e coul$ -ust let the thin& &o on %ut there5s no use $iscussin& impossi%ilities+A "e lo#ere$ his *oice+ @:here5s no use either in my preten$in& that I5m not &oin& to ha*e a pretty %a$ time+ !ut #e #on5t $iscuss that+ It #as my o#n fault+ I came %uttin& in on your life of my o#n free #ill an$ #hate*er happens it5s %een #orth it to ha*e 'no#n you an$ trie$ to %e of ser*ice to you+A @Cou5re the %est frien$ I5*e e*er ha$+A @I5m &la$ you thin' that+A @:he %est an$ 'in$est frien$ any &irl e*er ha$+ I #ish MA >he %ro'e off+ @/h #ellMA :here #as a silence+ In the castle some%o$y ha$ %e&un to play the piano+ :hen a man5s *oice %e&an to sin&+ @:hat5s ($#in 3lummer A sai$ )au$+ @"o# %a$ly he sin&s+A 9eor&e lau&he$+ >omeho# the intrusion of 3lummer ha$ remo*e$ the tension+ 3lummer #hether $esi&ne$ly an$ as a som%re commentary on the situation or %ecause he #as the sort of man #ho $oes sin& that particular son& #as chantin& :osti5s @9oo$.%yeA+ "e #as &i*in& to its ne*er *ery cheery notes a #ailin& melancholy all his o#n+ A $o& in the sta%les %e&an to ho#l in sympathy an$ #ith the soun$ came a curious soothin& of 9eor&e5s ner*es+ "e mi&ht feel %ro'en.hearte$ later %ut for the moment #ith this $ou%le accompaniment it #as impossi%le for a man #ith humour in his soul to $#ell on the $eeper emotions+ 3lummer an$ his canine $uettist ha$ %rou&ht him to earth+ "e felt calm an$ practical+ @4e5$ %etter tal' the #hole thin& o*er Fuietly A he sai$+ @:here5s certain to %e some solution+ At the #orst you can al#ays &o to 0or$ )arshmoreton an$ tell him that he spo'e #ithout a sufficient &rasp of his su%-ect+A @I coul$ A sai$ )au$ @%ut -ust at present I feel as if I5$ rather $o anythin& else in the #orl$+ Cou $on5t realiBe #hat it must ha*e cost father to $efy Aunt Caroline openly li'e that+ (*er since I #as ol$ enou&h to notice anythin& I5*e seen ho# she $ominate$ him+ It #as Aunt Caroline #ho really cause$ all this trou%le+ If it ha$ only %een father I coul$ ha*e coa<e$ him to let me marry anyone I please$+ I #ish if you possi%ly can you #oul$ thin' of some other solution+A @I ha*en5t ha$ an opportunity of tellin& you A sai$ 9eor&e @that I calle$ at !el&ra*e >Fuare as you as'e$ me to $o+ I #ent there $irectly I ha$ seen 8e&&ie !yn& safely marrie$+A @Di$ you see him marrie$EA @I #as %est man+A @Dear ol$ 8e&&ieG I hope he #ill %e happy+A @"e #ill+ Don5t #orry a%out that+ 4ell as I #as sayin& I calle$ at !el&ra*e >Fuare an$ foun$ the house shut up+ I coul$n5t &et any ans#er to the %ell thou&h I 'ept my thum% on it for minutes at a time+ I thin' they must ha*e &one a%roa$ a&ain+A @Io it #asn5t that+ I ha$ a letter from 9eoffrey this mornin&+ "is uncle $ie$ of apople<y #hile they #ere in )anchester on a %usiness trip+A >he pause$+ @"e left

9eoffrey all his money A she #ent on+ @(*ery penny+A :he silence seeme$ to stretch out intermina%ly+ :he music from the castle ha$ cease$+ :he Fuiet of the summer ni&ht #as un%ro'en+ :o 9eor&e the stillness ha$ a touch of the sinister+ It #as the &hastly silence of the en$ of the #orl$+ 4ith a shoc' he realiBe$ that e*en no# he ha$ %een permittin& himself to hope futile as he reco&niBe$ the hope to %e+ )au$ ha$ tol$ him she lo*e$ another man+ :hat shoul$ ha*e %een final+ An$ yet someho# his in$omita%le su%.conscious self ha$ refuse$ to accept it as final+ !ut this ne#s en$e$ e*erythin&+ :he only o%stacle that ha$ hel$ )au$ an$ this man apart #as remo*e$+ :here #as nothin& to pre*ent them marryin&+ 9eor&e #as conscious of a *ast $epression+ :he last stran$ of the rope ha$ parte$ an$ he #as $riftin& alone out into the ocean of $esolation+ @/hGA he sai$ an$ #as surprise$ that his *oice soun$e$ *ery much the same as usual+ >peech #as so $ifficult that it seeme$ stran&e that it shoul$ sho# no si&ns of effort+ @:hat alters e*erythin& $oesn5t it+A @"e sai$ in his letter that he #ante$ me to meet him in 0on$on an$2tal' thin&s o*er I suppose+A @:here5s nothin& no# to pre*ent your &oin&+ I mean no# that your father has ma$e this announcement you are free to &o #here you please+A @Ces I suppose I am+A :here #as another silence+ @(*erythin&5s so $ifficult A sai$ )au$+ @In #hat #ayEA @/h I $on5t 'no#+A @If you are thin'in& of me A sai$ 9eor&e @please $on5t+ I 'no# e<actly #hat you mean+ Cou are hatin& the thou&ht of hurtin& my feelin&s+ I #ish you #oul$ loo' on me as ha*in& no feelin&s+ All I #ant is to see you happy+ As I sai$ -ust no# it5s enou&h for me to 'no# that I5*e helpe$ you+ Do %e reasona%le a%out it+ :he fact that our en&a&ement has %een officially announce$ ma'es no $ifference in our relations to each other+ As far as #e t#o are concerne$ #e are e<actly #here #e #ere the last time #e met+ It5s no #orse for me no# than it #as then to 'no# that I5m not the man you lo*e an$ that there5s some%o$y else you lo*e$ %efore you e*er 'ne# of my e<istence+ =or &oo$ness5 sa'e a &irl li'e you must %e use$ to ha*in& men tell her that they lo*e her an$ ha*in& to tell them that she can5t lo*e them in return+A @!ut you5re so $ifferent+A @Iot a %it of it+ I5m -ust one of the cro#$+A @I5*e ne*er 'no#n any%o$y Fuite li'e you+A @4ell you5*e ne*er 'no#n any%o$y Fuite li'e 3lummer I shoul$ ima&ine+ !ut the thou&ht of his sufferin&s $i$n5t %rea' your heart+A @I5*e 'no#n a million men e<actly li'e ($#in 3lummer A sai$ )au$ emphatically+ @All the men I e*er ha*e 'no#n ha*e %een li'e him2Fuite nice an$ pleasant an$ ne&ati*e+ It ne*er seeme$ to matter refusin& them+ /ne 'ne# that they #oul$ %e -ust a little %it piFue$ for a #ee' or t#o an$ then #an$er off an$ fall in lo*e #ith some%o$y else+ !ut you5re $ifferent+ Cou M matter+A @:hat is #here #e $isa&ree+ )y ar&ument is that #here your happiness is concerne$ I $on5t matter+A )au$ reste$ her chin on her han$ an$ stare$ out into the *el*et $ar'ness+

@Cou ou&ht to ha*e %een my %rother instea$ of 3ercy A she sai$ at last+ @4hat chums #e shoul$ ha*e %eenG An$ ho# simple that #oul$ ha*e ma$e e*erythin&GA @:he %est thin& for you to $o is to re&ar$ me as an honorary %rother+ :hat #ill ma'e e*erythin& simple+A @It5s easy to tal' li'e that M Io it isn5t+ It5s horri%ly har$+ I 'no# e<actly ho# $ifficult it is for you to tal' as you ha*e %een $oin&2to try to ma'e me feel %etter %y preten$in& the #hole trou%le is -ust a trifle M It5s stran&e M 4e ha*e only met really for a fe# minutes at a time an$ three #ee's a&o I $i$n5t 'no# there #as such a person as you %ut someho# I seem to 'no# e*erythin& you5re thin'in&+ I5*e ne*er felt li'e that %efore #ith any man M (*en 9eoffreyM "e al#ays puBBle$ meM+A >he %ro'e off+ :he corncra'e %e&an to call a&ain out in the $istance+ @I #ish I 'ne# #hat to $o A she sai$ #ith a catch in her *oice+ @I5ll tell you in t#o #or$s #hat to $o+ :he #hole thin& is a%sur$ly simple+ Cou lo*e this man an$ he lo*es you an$ all that 'ept you apart %efore #as the fact that he coul$ not affor$ to marry you+ Io# that he is rich there is no o%stacle at all+ I simply #on5t let you loo' on me an$ my feelin&s as an o%stacle+ 8ule me out alto&ether+ Cour father5s mista'e has ma$e the situation a little more complicate$ than it nee$ ha*e %een %ut that can easily %e reme$ie$+ Imitate the e<cellent e<ample of 8e&&ie !yn&+ "e #as in a position #here it #oul$ ha*e %een em%arrassin& to announce #hat he inten$e$ to $o so he *ery sensi%ly #ent Fuietly off an$ $i$ it an$ left e*ery%o$y to fin$ out after it #as $one+ I5m %oun$ to say I ne*er loo'e$ on 8e&&ie as a master min$ %ut #hen it came to fin$ a #ay out of em%arrassin& situations one has to a$mit he ha$ the ri&ht i$ea+ Do #hat he $i$GA )au$ starte$+ >he half rose from the stone seat+ 9eor&e coul$ hear the Fuic' inta'e of her %reath+ @Cou mean2run a#ayEA @(<actly+ 8un a#ayGA An automo%ile s#un& roun$ the corner of the castle from the $irection of the &ara&e an$ $re# up purrin& at the steps+ :here #as a floo$ of li&ht an$ the soun$ of *oices as the &reat $oor opene$+ )au$ rose+ @3eople are lea*in& A she sai$+ @I $i$n5t 'no# it #as so late+A >he stoo$ irresolutely+ @I suppose I ou&ht to &o in an$ say &oo$.%ye+ !ut I $on5t thin' I can+A @>tay #here you are+ Io%o$y #ill see you+A )ore automo%iles arri*e$+ :he Fuiet of the ni&ht #as shattere$ %y the noise of their en&ines+ )au$ sat $o#n a&ain+ @I suppose they #ill thin' it *ery o$$ of me not %ein& there+A @Ie*er min$ #hat people thin'+ 8e&&ie !yn& $i$n5t+A )au$5s foot trace$ circles on the $ry turf+ @4hat a lo*ely ni&ht A she sai$+ @:here5s no $e# at all+A :he automo%iles snorte$ toote$ %ac'.fire$ an$ passe$ a#ay+ :heir clamour $ie$ in the $istance lea*in& the ni&ht a thin& of peace an$ ma&ic once more+ :he $oor of the castle close$ #ith a %an&+ @I suppose I ou&ht to %e &oin& in no# A sai$ )au$+ @I suppose so+ An$ I ou&ht to %e there too politely ma'in& my fare#ells+ !ut somethin& seems to tell me that 0a$y Caroline an$ your %rother #ill %e Fuite rea$y to $ispense #ith the formalities+ I shall &o home+A

:hey face$ each other in the $ar'ness+ @4oul$ you really $o thatEA as'e$ )au$+ @8un a#ay I mean an$ &et marrie$ in 0on$on+A @It5s the only thin& to $o+A @!ut M can one &et marrie$ as Fuic'ly as thatEA @At a re&istrar5sE Iothin& simpler+ Cou shoul$ ha*e seen 8e&&ie !yn&5s #e$$in&+ It #as o*er %efore one realiBe$ it ha$ starte$+ A snuffy little man in a %lac' coat #ith a col$ in his hea$ as'e$ a fe# Fuestions #rote a fe# #or$s an$ the thin& #as $one+A @:hat soun$s rather M $rea$ful+A @8e&&ie $i$n5t seem to thin' so+A @,nromantic I meanM+ 3rosaic+A @Cou #oul$ supply the romance+A @/f course one ou&ht to %e sensi%le+ It is -ust the same as a re&ular #e$$in&+A @In effects a%solutely+A :hey mo*e$ up the terrace to&ether+ /n the &ra*el $ri*e %y the steps they pause$+ @I5ll $o itGA sai$ )au$+ 9eor&e ha$ to ma'e an effort %efore he coul$ reply+ =or all his sane an$ con*incin& ar&uments he coul$ not chec' a pan& at this $efinite acceptance of them+ "e ha$ %e&un to appreciate no# the strain un$er #hich he ha$ %een spea'in&+ @Cou must A he sai$+ @4ell M &oo$.%ye+A :here #as li&ht on the $ri*e+ "e coul$ see her face+ "er eyes #ere trou%le$+ @4hat #ill you $oEA she as'e$+ @DoEA @I mean are you &oin& to stay on in your cotta&eEA @Io I har$ly thin' I coul$ $o that+ I shall &o %ac' to 0on$on tomorro# an$ stay at the Carlton for a fe# $ays+ :hen I shall sail for America+ :here are a couple of pieces I5*e &ot to $o for the =all+ I ou&ht to %e startin& on them+A )au$ loo'e$ a#ay+ @Cou5*e &ot your #or' A she sai$ almost inau$i%ly+ 9eor&e un$erstoo$ her+ @Ces I5*e &ot my #or'+A @I5m &la$+A >he hel$ out her han$+ @Cou5*e %een *ery #on$erfulM 8i&ht from the %e&innin& M Cou5*e %een M oh #hat5s the use of me sayin& anythin&EA @I5*e ha$ my re#ar$+ I5*e 'no#n you+ 4e5re frien$s aren5t #eEA @)y %est frien$+A @3alsEA @3alsGA :hey shoo' han$s+

Chapter 25
@I #as ne*er so upset in my lifeGA sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ >he ha$ %een sayin& the same thin& an$ many other thin&s for the past fi*e minutes+ ,ntil the $eparture of the last &uest she ha$ 'ept an icy comman$ of herself an$ sho#n

an unruffle$ front to the #orl$+ >he ha$ e*en contri*e$ to smile+ !ut no# #ith the final automo%ile #hirrin& home#ar$s she ha$ thro#n off the mas'+ :he *ery furniture of 0or$ )arshmoreton5s stu$y seeme$ to shrin' seare$ %y the flame of her #rath+ As for 0or$ )arshmoreton himself he loo'e$ Fuite shri*elle$+ It ha$ not %een an easy matter to %rin& her errin& %rother to %ay+ :he hunt ha$ %een in pro&ress full ten minutes %efore she an$ 0or$ !elpher finally cornere$ the poor #retch+ "is plea throu&h the 'eyhole of the loc'e$ $oor that he #as #or'in& on the family history an$ coul$ not %e $istur%e$ #as i&nore$D an$ no# he #as face to face #ith the a*en&ers+ @I cannot un$erstan$ it A continue$ 0a$y Caroline+ @Cou 'no# that for months #e ha*e all %een strainin& e*ery ner*e to %rea' off this horri%le entan&lement an$ -ust as #e ha$ %e&un to hope that somethin& mi&ht %e $one you announce the en&a&ement in the most pu%lic manner+ I thin' you must %e out of your min$+ I can har$ly %elie*e e*en no# that this appallin& thin& has happene$+ I am hopin& that I shall #a'e up an$ fin$ it is all a ni&htmare+ "o# you can ha*e $one such a thin& I cannot un$erstan$+A @NuiteGA sai$ 0or$ !elpher+ If 0a$y Caroline #as upset there are no #or$s in the lan&ua&e that #ill a$eFuately $escri%e the emotions of 3ercy+ =rom the *ery start of this lamenta%le episo$e in hi&h life 3ercy ha$ %een in the forefront of the %attle+ It #as 3ercy #ho ha$ ha$ his %est hat smitten from his hea$ in the full *ie# of all 3icca$illy+ It #as 3ercy #ho ha$ suffere$ arrest an$ imprisonment in the cause+ It #as 3ercy #ho ha$ %een cripple$ for $ays o#in& to his Beal in trac'in& )au$ across country+ An$ no# all his sufferin&s #ere in *ain+ "e ha$ %een %etraye$ %y his o#n father+ :here #as so the historians of the )i$$le 4est tell us a man of Chica&o name$ Coun& #ho once #hen his ner*es #ere unstrun& put his mother 6unseen7 in the choppin&.machine an$ canne$ her an$ la%elle$ her @:on&ueA+ It is enou&h to say that the &lance of $isappro*al #hich 3ercy cast upon his father at this -uncture #oul$ ha*e %een un$uly se*ere if cast %y the Coun& offsprin& upon their parent at the moment of confession+ 0or$ )arshmoreton ha$ rallie$ from his initial panic+ :he spirit of re*olt %e&an to %urn a&ain in his %osom+ /nce the $ie is cast for re*olution there can %e no loo'in& %ac'+ /ne must $efy not apolo&iBe+ 3erhaps the inherite$ ten$encies of a line of ancestors #ho #hate*er their shortcomin&s ha$ at least 'no#n ho# to treat their #omen fol' came to his ai$+ 3ossi%ly there stoo$ %y his si$e in this crisis &hosts of $ea$ an$ %urie$ )arshmoretons #hisperin& spectral encoura&ement in his ear2the &hosts let us suppose of that earl #ho in the $ays of the se*enth "enry ha$ sta%%e$ his #ife #ith a $a&&er to cure her ten$ency to lecture him at ni&htD or of that other earl #ho at a pre*ious $ate in the annals of the family ha$ cause$ t#o aunts an$ a sister to %e poisone$ apparently from a mere #him+ At any rate 0or$ )arshmoreton pro$uce$ from some source sufficient coura&e to tal' %ac'+ @>illy nonsenseGA he &runte$+ @Don5t see #hat you5re ma'in& all this fuss a%out+ )au$ lo*es the fello#+ I li'e the fello#+ 3erfectly $ecent fello#+ Iothin& to ma'e a fuss a%out+ 4hy shoul$n5t I announce the en&a&ementEA @Cou must %e ma$GA crie$ 0a$y Caroline+ @Cour only $au&hter an$ a man no%o$y 'no#s anythin& a%outGA

@NuiteGA sai$ 3ercy+ 0or$ )arshmoreton seiBe$ his a$*anta&e #ith the s'ill of an a$roit $e%ater+ @:hat5s #here you5re #ron&+ I 'no# all a%out him+ "e5s a *ery rich man+ Cou hear$ the #ay all those people at $inner %eha*e$ #hen they hear$ his name+ Jery cele%rate$ manG )a'es thousan$s of poun$s a year+ 3erfectly suita%le match in e*ery #ay+A @It is not a suita%le match A sai$ 0a$y Caroline *ehemently+ @I $on5t care #hether this )r+ !e*an ma'es thousan$s of poun$s a year or t#opence.ha5penny+ :he match is not suita%le+ )oney is not e*erythin&+A >he %ro'e off+ A 'noc' ha$ come on the $oor+ :he $oor opene$ an$ !illie Dore came in+ A 'in$.hearte$ &irl she ha$ foreseen that 0or$ )arshmoreton mi&ht %e &la$ of a chan&e of su%-ect at a%out this time+ @4oul$ you li'e me to help you toni&htEA she as'e$ %ri&htly+ @I thou&ht I #oul$ as' if there #as anythin& you #ante$ me to $o+A 0a$y Caroline snatche$ hurrie$ly at her aristocratic calm+ >he resente$ the interruption acutely %ut her manner #hen she spo'e #as %lan$+ @0or$ )arshmoreton #ill not reFuire your help toni&ht A she sai$+ @"e #ill not %e #or'in&+A @9oo$ ni&ht A sai$ !illie+ @9oo$ ni&ht A sai$ 0a$y Caroline+ 3ercy sco#le$ a *ale$iction+ @)oney A resume$ 0a$y Caroline @is immaterial+ )au$ is in no position to %e o%li&e$ to marry a rich man+ 4hat ma'es the thin& impossi%le is that )r+ !e*an is no%o$y+ "e comes from no#here+ "e has no social stan$in& #hatsoe*er+A @Don5t see it A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton+ @:he fello#5s a thorou&hly $ecent fello#+ :hat5s all that matters+A @"o# can you %e so pi&.hea$e$G Cou are tal'in& li'e an im%ecile+ Cour secretary )iss Dore is a nice &irl+ !ut ho# #oul$ you feel if 3ercy #ere to come to you an$ say that he #as en&a&e$ to %e marrie$ to herEA @(<actlyGA sai$ 3ercy+ @NuiteGA 0or$ )arshmoreton rose an$ mo*e$ to the $oor+ "e $i$ it #ith a certain $i&nity %ut there #as a stran&e hunte$ e<pression in his eyes+ @:hat #oul$ %e impossi%le A he sai$+ @3recisely A sai$ his sister+ @I am &la$ that you a$mit it+A 0or$ )arshmoreton ha$ reache$ the $oor an$ #as stan$in& hol$in& the han$le+ "e seeme$ to &ather stren&th from its support+ @I5*e %een meanin& to tell you a%out that A he sai$+ @A%out #hatEA @A%out )iss Dore+ I marrie$ her myself last 4e$nes$ay A sai$ 0or$ )arshmoreton an$ $isappeare$ li'e a $i*in& $uc'+

Chapter 26
At a Fuarter past four in the afternoon t#o $ays after the memora%le $inner.party at #hich 0or$ )arshmoreton ha$ %eha*e$ #ith so nota%le a lac' of -u$&ment )au$ sat in Ce Cosy Ioo'e #aitin& for 9eoffrey 8aymon$+ "e ha$ sai$ in his tele&ram that he #oul$ meet her there at four.thirty1 %ut ea&erness ha$ %rou&ht )au$ to the tryst a Fuarter

of an hour ahea$ of time1 an$ alrea$y the sa$ness of her surroun$in&s #as causin& her to re&ret this impulsi*eness+ Depression ha$ settle$ upon her spirit+ >he #as a#are of somethin& that resem%le$ fore%o$in&+ Ce Cosy Ioo'e as its name #ill imme$iately su&&est to those #ho 'no# their 0on$on is a tea.shop in !on$ >treet con$ucte$ %y $istresse$ &entle#omen+ In 0on$on #hen a &entle#oman %ecomes $istresse$2#hich she seems to $o on the sli&htest pro*ocation2 she collects a%out her t#o or three other $istresse$ &entle#omen formin& a Fuorum an$ starts a tea.shop in the 4est.(n$ #hich she calls Ce /a' 0eafD Ce /l$e 4illo#.3attern Ce 0in$en.:ree or Ce >nu& "ar%our accor$in& to personal taste+ :here $resse$ in :yrolese ?apanese Ior#e&ian or some other e<otic costume she an$ her associates a$minister refreshments of an afternoon #ith a prou$ lan&uor calculate$ to 'noc' the nonsense out of the cheeriest customer+ "ere you #ill fin$ none of the coarse %ustle an$ efficiency of the ri*al esta%lishments of 0yons an$ Co+ nor the &litter an$ &aiety of 8umpelmayer5s+ :hese places ha*e an atmosphere of their o#n+ :hey rely for their effect on an insufficiency of li&ht an almost total lac' of *entilation a property chocolate ca'e #hich you are not suppose$ to cut an$ the sa$ aloofness of their ministerin& an&els+ It is to %e $ou%te$ #hether there is anythin& in the #orl$ more $ampin& to the spirit than a 0on$on tea.shop of this 'in$ unless it %e another 0on$on tea.shop of the same 'in$+ )au$ sat an$ #aite$+ >ome#here out of si&ht a 'ettle %u%%le$ in an un$ertone li'e a #hisperin& pessimist+ Across the room t#o $istresse$ &entle#omen in fancy $ress leane$ a&ainst the #all+ :hey too #ere #hisperin&+ :heir e<pressions su&&este$ that they loo'e$ on life as lo# an$ #ishe$ they #ere #ell out of it li'e the %o$y upstairs+ /ne assume$ that there #as a %o$y upstairs+ /ne cannot help it at these places+ /ne5s first thou&ht on enterin& is that the la$y assistant #ill approach one an$ as' in a hushe$ *oice @:ea or chocolateE An$ #oul$ you care to *ie# the remainsEA )au$ loo'e$ at her #atch+ It #as t#enty past four+ >he coul$ scarcely %elie*e that she ha$ only %een there fi*e minutes %ut the tic'in& of the #atch assure$ her that it ha$ not stoppe$+ "er $epression $eepene$+ 4hy ha$ 9eoffrey tol$ her to meet him in a ca*ern of &loom li'e this instea$ of at the >a*oyE >he #oul$ ha*e en-oye$ the >a*oy+ !ut here she seeme$ to ha*e lost %eyon$ reco*ery the first &ay ea&erness #ith #hich she ha$ set out to meet the man she lo*e$+ >u$$enly she %e&an to feel fri&htene$+ >ome e*il spirit possi%ly the 'ettle seeme$ to #hisper to her that she ha$ %een foolish in comin& here to cast $ou%ts on #hat she ha$ hitherto re&ar$e$ as the one roc'.soli$ fact in the #orl$ her lo*e for 9eoffrey+ Coul$ she ha*e chan&e$ since those $ays in 4alesE 0ife ha$ %een so confusin& of late+ In the *i*i$ness of recent happenin&s those $ays in 4ales seeme$ a lon& #ay off an$ she herself $ifferent from the &irl of a year a&o+ >he foun$ herself thin'in& a%out 9eor&e !e*an+ It #as a curious fact that the moment she %e&an to thin' of 9eor&e !e*an she felt %etter+ It #as as if she ha$ lost her #ay in a #il$erness an$ ha$ met a frien$+ :here #as somethin& so capa%le so soothin& a%out 9eor&e+ An$ ho# #ell he ha$ %eha*e$ at that last inter*ie#+ 9eor&e seeme$ someho# to %e part of her life+ >he coul$ not ima&ine a life in #hich he ha$ no share+ An$ he #as at this moment pro%a%ly pac'in& to return to America an$ she #oul$ ne*er see him a&ain+ >omethin& sta%%e$ at her heart+ It #as as if she #ere realiBin& no# for the first time that he #as really &oin&+ >he trie$ to ri$ herself of the ache at her heart %y thin'in& of 4ales+ >he close$ her

eyes an$ foun$ that that helpe$ her to remem%er+ 4ith her eyes shut she coul$ %rin& it all %ac'2that rainy $ay the &raceful supple fi&ure that ha$ come to her out of the mist those #al's o*er the hills M If only 9eoffrey #oul$ comeG It #as the si&ht of him that she nee$e$+ @:here you areGA )au$ opene$ her eyes #ith a start+ :he *oice ha$ soun$e$ li'e 9eoffrey5s+ !ut it #as a stran&er #ho stoo$ %y the ta%le+ An$ not a particularly prepossessin& stran&er+ In the $im li&ht of Ce Cosy Ioo'e to #hich her openin& eyes ha$ not yet &ro#n accustome$ all she coul$ see of the man #as that he #as remar'a%ly stout+ >he stiffene$ $efensi*ely+ :his #as #hat a &irl #ho sat a%out in tea.rooms alone ha$ to e<pect+ @"ope I5m not late A sai$ the stran&er sittin& $o#n an$ %reathin& hea*ily+ @I thou&ht a little e<ercise #oul$ $o me &oo$ so I #al'e$+A (*ery ner*e in )au$5s %o$y seeme$ to come to life simultaneously+ >he tin&le$ from hea$ to foot+ It #as 9eoffreyG "e #as loo'in& o*er his shoul$er an$ en$ea*ourin& %y snappin& his fin&ers to attract the attention of the nearest $istresse$ &entle#oman1 an$ this &a*e )au$ time to reco*er from the fri&htful shoc' she ha$ recei*e$+ "er $iBBiness left her1 an$ lea*in& #as succee$e$ %y a panic $ismay+ :his coul$n5t %e 9eoffreyG It #as outra&eous that it shoul$ %e 9eoffreyG An$ yet it un$enia%ly #as 9eoffrey+ =or a year she ha$ praye$ that 9eoffrey mi&ht %e &i*en %ac' to her an$ the &o$s ha$ hear$ her prayer+ :hey ha$ &i*en her %ac' 9eoffrey an$ #ith a careless &enerosity they ha$ &i*en her t#ice as much of him as she ha$ e<pecte$+ >he ha$ as'e$ for the slim Apollo #hom she ha$ lo*e$ in 4ales an$ this colossal chan&elin& ha$ arri*e$ in his stea$+ 4e all of us ha*e our pre-u$ices+ )au$ ha$ a pre-u$ice a&ainst fat men+ It may ha*e %een the spectacle of her 3ercy %ul&in& more an$ more e*ery year she ha$ that ha$ cause$ this 'in' in her character+ At any rate an$ she &aBe$ in sic'ene$ silence at 9eoffrey+ "e ha$ turne$ a&ain no# an$ she #as ena%le$ to &et a full an$ complete *ie# of him+ "e #as not merely stout+ "e #as &ross+ :he fi&ure #hich ha$ haunte$ her for a year ha$ sprea$ into a sea of #aistcoat+ :he 'een lines of his face ha$ $isappeare$ alto&ether+ "is chee's #ere pin' -ellies+ /ne of the $istresse$ &entle#omen ha$ approache$ #ith a slo# $is$ain an$ #as stan$in& %y the ta%le %roo$in& on the corpse upstairs+ It seeme$ a shame to %other her+ @:ea or chocolateEA she inFuire$ prou$ly+ @:ea please A sai$ )au$ fin$in& her *oice+ @/ne tea A si&he$ the mourner+ @Chocolate for me A sai$ 9eoffrey %ris'ly #ith the air of one $iscoursin& on a con&enial topic+ @I5$ li'e plenty of #hippe$ cream+ An$ please see that it5s hot+A @/ne chocolate+A 9eoffrey pon$ere$+ :his #as no li&ht matter that occupie$ him+ @An$ %rin& some fancy ca'es2I li'e the ones #ith icin& on them2an$ some tea.ca'e an$ %uttere$ toast+ 3lease see there5s plenty of %utter on it+A )au$ shi*ere$+ :his man %efore her #as a man in #hose le<icon there shoul$ ha*e %een no such #or$ as %utter a man #ho shoul$ ha*e calle$ for the police ha$ some enemy en$ea*oure$ to thrust %utter upon him+ @4ell A sai$ 9eoffrey leanin& for#ar$ as the hau&hty ministrant $rifte$ a#ay @you ha*en5t chan&e$ a %it+ :o loo' at I mean+A

@IoEA sai$ )au$+ @Cou5re -ust the same+ I thin' IA2he sFuinte$ $o#n at his #aistcoat2Aha*e put on a little #ei&ht+ I $on5t 'no# if you notice itEA )au$ shi*ere$ a&ain+ "e thou&ht he ha$ put on a little #ei&ht an$ $i$n5t 'no# if she ha$ notice$ itG >he #as oppresse$ %y the eternal melancholy miracle of the fat man #ho $oes not realiBe that he has %ecome fat+ @It #as li*in& on the yacht that put me a little out of con$ition A sai$ 9eoffrey+ @I #as on the yacht nearly all the time since I sa# you last+ :he ol$ %oy ha$ a ?apanese coo' an$ li*e$ pretty hi&h+ It #as apople<y that &ot him+ 4e ha$ a &reat time tourin& a%out+ 4e #ere on the )e$iterranean all last #inter mostly at Iice+A @I shoul$ li'e to &o to Iice A sai$ )au$ for somethin& to say+ >he #as feelin& that it #as not only e<ternally that 9eoffrey ha$ chan&e$+ /r ha$ he in reality al#ays %een li'e this commonplace an$ prosaic an$ #as it merely in her ima&ination that he ha$ %een #on$erfulE @If you e*er &o A sai$ 9eoffrey earnestly @$on5t fail to lunch at the "otel Cote $5ABur+ :hey &i*e you the most amaBin& selection of hors $5oeu*res you e*er sa#+ Crayfish as %i& as %a%y lo%stersG An$ there5s a fish2I5*e for&otten it5s name it5ll come %ac' to me 2that5s -ust li'e the =lori$a pompano+ !e careful to ha*e it %roile$ not frie$+ /ther#ise you lose the fla*our+ :ell the #aiter you must ha*e it %roile$ #ith melte$ %utter an$ a little parsley an$ some plain %oile$ potatoes+ It5s really astonishin&+ It5s %est to stic' to fish on the Continent+ 3eople can say #hat they li'e %ut I maintain that the =rench $on5t really un$erstan$ stea's or any sort of re$ meat+ :he *eal isn5t %a$ thou&h I prefer our #ay of ser*in& it+ /f course #hat the =rench are real &eniuses at is the omelet+ I remem%er #hen #e put in at :oulon for coal I #ent ashore for a stroll an$ ha$ the most $elicious omelet #ith chic'en li*ers %eautifully coo'e$ at Fuite a small unpretentious place near the har%our+ I shall al#ays remem%er it+A :he mourner returne$ %earin& a la$en tray from #hich she remo*e$ the funeral %a'emeats an$ place$ them limply on the ta%le+ 9eoffrey shoo' his hea$ annoye$+ @I particularly as'e$ for plenty of %utter on my toastGA he sai$+ @I hate %uttere$ toast if there isn5t lots of %utter+ It isn5t #orth eatin&+ 9et me a couple of pats #ill you an$ I5ll sprea$ it myself+ Do hurry please %efore the toast &ets col$+ It5s no &oo$ if the toast &ets col$+ :hey $on5t un$erstan$ tea as a meal at these places A he sai$ to )au$ as the mourner #ith$re#+ @Cou ha*e to &o to the country to appreciate the real thin&+ I remem%er #e lay off 0yme 8e&is $o#n De*onshire #ay for a fe# $ays an$ I #ent an$ ha$ tea at a farmhouse there+ It #as Fuite amaBin&G :hic' De*onshire cream an$ home. ma$e -am an$ ca'es of e*ery 'in$+ :his sort of thin& here is -ust a farce+ I $o #ish that #oman #oul$ ma'e haste #ith that %utter+ It5ll %e too late in a minute+A )au$ sippe$ her tea in silence+ "er heart #as li'e lea$ #ithin her+ :he recurrence of the %utter theme as a sort of leit motif in her companion5s con*ersation #as frayin& her ner*es till she felt she coul$ en$ure little more+ >he cast her min$5s eye %ac' o*er the horri$ months an$ ha$ a horri$ *ision of 9eoffrey stea$ily a%sor%in& %utter $ay after $ay #ee' after #ee'2e*er %ecomin& more an$ more of a human 'e&+ >he shu$$ere$+ In$i&nation at the in-ustice of =ate in causin& her to &i*e her heart to a man an$ then chan&in& him into another an$ Fuite $ifferent man fou&ht #ith a col$ terror #hich &re# as she realiBe$ more an$ more clearly the ma&nitu$e of the mista'e she ha$ ma$e+ >he felt that she must escape+ An$ yet ho# coul$ she escapeE >he ha$ $efinitely ple$&e$

herself to this man+ 6@AhGA crie$ 9eoffrey &aily as the pats of %utter arri*e$+ @:hat5s more li'e itGA "e %e&an to smear the toast+ )au$ a*erte$ her eyes+7 >he ha$ tol$ him that she lo*e$ him that he #as the #hole #orl$ to her that there ne*er #oul$ %e anyone else+ "e ha$ come to claim her+ "o# coul$ she refuse him -ust %ecause he #as a%out thirty poun$s o*er#ei&htE 9eoffrey finishe$ his meal+ "e too' out a ci&arette+ 6@Io smo'in& pleaseGA sai$ the $istresse$ &entle#oman+7 "e put the ci&arette %ac' in its case+ :here #as a ne# e<pression in his eyes no# a ten$er e<pression+ =or the first time since they ha$ met )au$ seeme$ to catch a far.off &limpse of the man she ha$ lo*e$ in 4ales+ !utter appeare$ to ha*e softene$ 9eoffrey+ @>o you coul$n5t #aitGA he sai$ #ith pathos+ )au$ $i$ not un$erstan$+ @I #aite$ o*er a Fuarter of an hour+ It #as you #ho #ere late+A @I $on5t mean that+ I am referrin& to your en&a&ement+ I sa# the announcement in the )ornin& 3ost+ 4ell I hope you #ill let me offer you my %est #ishes+ :his )r+ 9eor&e !e*an #hoe*er he is is luc'y+A )au$ ha$ opene$ her mouth to e<plain to say that it #as all a mista'e+ >he close$ it a&ain #ithout spea'in&+ @>o you coul$n5t #aitGA procee$e$ 9eoffrey #ith &entle re&ret+ @4ell I suppose I ou&ht not to %lame you+ Cou are at an a&e #hen it is easy to for&et+ I ha$ no ri&ht to hope that you #oul$ %e proof a&ainst a fe# months5 separation+ I e<pecte$ too much+ !ut it is ironical isn5t itG :here #as I thin'in& al#ays of those $ays last summer #hen #e #ere e*erythin& to each other #hile you ha$ for&otten me2=or&otten meGA si&he$ 9eoffrey+ "e pic'e$ a fra&ment of ca'e a%sently off the ta%lecloth an$ inserte$ it in his mouth+ :he unfairness of the attac' stun& )au$ to speech+ >he loo'e$ %ac' o*er the months thou&ht of all she ha$ suffere$ an$ ache$ #ith self.pity+ @I ha$n5t A she crie$+ @Cou ha$n5tE !ut you let this other man this 9eor&e !e*an ma'e lo*e to you+A @I $i$n5tG :hat #as all a mista'e+A @A mista'eEA @Ces+ It #oul$ ta'e too lon& to e<plain %ut MA >he stoppe$+ It ha$ come to her su$$enly in a flash of clear *ision that the mista'e #as one #hich she ha$ no $esire to correct+ >he felt li'e one #ho lost in a -un&le comes out after lon& #an$erin& into the open air+ =or $ays she ha$ %een thin'in& confuse$ly una%le to interpret her o#n emotions1 an$ no# e*erythin& ha$ a%ruptly %ecome clarifie$+ It #as as if the si&ht of 9eoffrey ha$ %een the 'ey to a cipher+ >he lo*e$ 9eor&e !e*an the man she ha$ sent out of her life for e*er+ >he 'ne# it no# an$ the shoc' of realiBation ma$e her feel faint an$ helpless+ An$ min&le$ #ith the shoc' of realiBation there came to her the mortification of 'no#in& that her aunt 0a$y Caroline an$ her %rother 3ercy ha$ %een ri&ht after all+ 4hat she ha$ mista'en for the lo*e of a lifetime ha$ %een as they ha$ so often insiste$ a mere infatuation una%le to sur*i*e the spectacle of a 9eoffrey #ho ha$ %een eatin& too much %utter an$ ha$ put on flesh+ 9eoffrey s#allo#e$ his piece of ca'e an$ %ent for#ar$+ @Aren5t you en&a&e$ to this man !e*anEA )au$ a*oi$e$ his eye+ >he #as a#are that the crisis ha$ arri*e$ an$ that her #hole future hun& on her ne<t #or$s+

An$ then =ate came to her rescue+ !efore she coul$ spea' there #as an interruption+ @3ar$on me A sai$ a *oice+ @/ne momentGA >o intent ha$ )au$ an$ her companion %een on their o#n affairs that neither of them o%ser*e$ the entrance of a thir$ party+ :his #as a youn& man #ith mouse.coloure$ hair an$ a frec'le$ %a$ly.sha*en face #hich seeme$ un$eci$e$ #hether to %e furti*e or impu$ent+ "e ha$ small eyes an$ his costume #as a %len$ of the flashy an$ the sha%%y+ "e #ore a %o#ler hat tilte$ a little ra'ishly to one si$e an$ carrie$ a small %a& #hich he reste$ on the ta%le %et#een them+ @>orry to intru$e miss+A "e %o#e$ &allantly to )au$ @%ut I #ant to ha*e a fe# #or$s #ith )r+ >penser 9ray here+A )au$ loo'in& across at 9eoffrey #as surprise$ to see that his flori$ face ha$ lost much of its colour+ "is mouth #as open an$ his eyes ha$ ta'en a &lassy e<pression+ @I thin' you ha*e ma$e a mista'e A she sai$ col$ly+ >he $isli'e$ the youn& man at si&ht+ @:his is )r+ 8aymon$+A 9eoffrey foun$ speech+ @/f course I5m )r+ 8aymon$GA he crie$ an&rily+ @4hat $o you mean %y comin& an$ annoyin& us li'e thisEA :he youn& man #as not $iscompose$+ "e appeare$ to %e use$ to %ein& unpopular+ "e procee$e$ as thou&h there ha$ %een no interruption+ "e pro$uce$ a $in&y car$+ @9lance at that A he sai$+ @)essrs+ 4illou&h%y an$ >on >olicitors+ I5m son+ :he &u*5nor put this little matter into my han$s+ I5*e %een loo'in& for you for $ays )r+ 9ray to han$ you this paper+A "e opene$ the %a& li'e a con-urer performin& a tric' an$ %rou&ht out a stiff $ocument of le&al aspect+ @Cou5re a #itness miss that I5*e ser*e$ the papers+ Cou 'no# #hat this is of courseEA he sai$ to 9eoffrey+ @Action for %reach of promise of marria&e+ /ur client )iss C*onne >inclair of the 8e&al :heatre is suin& you for ten thousan$ poun$s+ An$ if you as' me A sai$ the youn& man #ith &enial can$our $roppin& the professional manner @I $on5t min$ tellin& you I thin' it5s a #al'.o*erG It5s the %est little action for %reach #e5*e han$le$ for years+A "e %ecame professional a&ain+ @Cour la#yers #ill no $ou%t communicate #ith us in $ue course+ An$ if you ta'e my a$*ice A he conclu$e$ #ith another of his s#ift chan&es of manner @you5ll &et Hem to settle out of court for %et#een me an$ you an$ the lamp.post you ha*en5t an earthlyGA 9eoffrey ha$ starte$ to his feet+ "e #as puffin& #ith outra&e$ innocence+ @4hat the $e*il $o you mean %y thisEA he $eman$e$+ @Can5t you see you5*e ma$e a mista'eE )y name is not 9ray+ :his la$y has tol$ you that I am 9eoffrey 8aymon$GA @)a'es it all the #orse for you A sai$ the youn& man impertur%a%ly @ma'in& a$*ances to our client un$er an assume$ name+ 4e5*e &ot letters an$ #itnesses an$ the #hole %a& of tric's+ An$ ho# a%out this photoEA "e $i*e$ into the %a& a&ain+ @Do you reco&niBe that missEA )au$ loo'e$ at the photo&raph+ It #as unmista'a%ly 9eoffrey+ An$ it ha$ e*i$ently %een ta'en recently for it sho#e$ the later 9eoffrey the man of su%stance+ It #as a full. len&th photo&raph an$ across the stout le&s #as #ritten in a flo#in& han$ the le&en$ @:o !a%e from her little 3ootlesA+ )au$ &a*e a shu$$er an$ han$e$ it %ac' to the youn& man -ust as 9eoffrey reachin& across the ta%le ma$e a &ra% for it+ @I reco&niBe it A she sai$+ )r+ 4illou&h%y -unior pac'e$ the photo&raph a#ay in his %a& an$ turne$ to &o+ @:hat5s all for to$ay then I thin' A he sai$ affa%ly+

"e %o#e$ a&ain in his courtly #ay tilte$ the hat a little more to the left an$ ha*in& &reete$ one of the $istresse$ &entle#omen #ho loitere$ limply in his path #ith a polite @If you please )a%elGA #hich $re# upon him a freeBin& stare of #hich he seeme$ o%li*ious he passe$ out lea*in& %ehin$ him straine$ silence+ )au$ #as the first to %rea' it+ @I thin' I5ll %e &oin& A she sai$+ :he #or$s seeme$ to rouse her companion from his stupor+ @0et me e<plainGA @:here5s nothin& to e<plain+A @It #as -ust a M it #as -ust a passin& M It #as nothin& M nothin&+A @3ootlesGA murmure$ )au$+ 9eoffrey follo#e$ her as she mo*e$ to the $oor+ @!e reasona%leGA plea$e$ 9eoffrey+ @)en aren5t saintsG It #as nothin&G M Are you &oin& to en$ M e*erythin& M -ust %ecause I lost my hea$EA )au$ loo'e$ at him #ith a smile+ >he #as conscious of an o*er#helmin& relief+ :he $im interior of Ce Cosy Ioo'e no lon&er seeme$ $epressin&+ >he coul$ ha*e 'isse$ this un'no#n @!a%eA #hose %usinessli'e action ha$ ena%le$ her to close a re&retta%le chapter in her life #ith a clear conscience+ @!ut you ha*en5t only lost your hea$ 9eoffrey A she sai$+ @Cou5*e lost your fi&ure as #ell+A >he #ent out Fuic'ly+ 4ith a con*ulsi*e %oun$ 9eoffrey starte$ to follo# her %ut #as chec'e$ %efore he ha$ &one a yar$+ :here are formalities to %e o%ser*e$ %efore a patron can lea*e Ce Cosy Ioo'e+ @If you pleaseGA sai$ a $istresse$ &entle#omanly *oice+ :he la$y #hom )r+ 4illou&h%y ha$ a$$resse$ as )a%el2erroneously for her name #as (rnestine2#as stan$in& %esi$e him #ith a slip of paper+ @>i< an$ t#opence A sai$ (rnestine+ =or a moment this appallin& statement $re# the unhappy man5s min$ from the main issue+ @>i< an$ t#opence for a cup of chocolate an$ a fe# ca'esEA he crie$ a&hast+ @It5s ro%%eryGA @>i< an$ t#opence pleaseGA sai$ the Fueen of the %an$its #ith un$istur%e$ calm+ >he ha$ %een throu&h this sort of thin& %efore+ Ce Cosy Ioo'e $i$ not &et many customersD %ut it ma$e the most of those it $i$ &et+ @"ereGA 9eoffrey pro$uce$ a half.so*erei&n+ @I ha*en5t time to ar&ueGA :he $istresse$ %ri&an$ sho#e$ no &ratification+ >he ha$ the air of one #ho is aloof from #orl$ly thin&s+ All she #ante$ #as rest an$ leisure2leisure to me$itate upon the %o$y upstairs+ All flesh is as &rass+ 4e are here to$ay an$ &one tomorro#+ !ut there %eyon$ the &ra*e is peace+ @Cour chan&eEA she sai$+ @Damn the chan&eGA @Cou are for&ettin& your hat+A @Damn my hatGA 9eoffrey $ashe$ from the room+ "e hea*e$ his %o$y throu&h the $oor+ "e lum%ere$ $o#n the stairs+ /ut in !on$ >treet the traffic mo*e$ up an$ the traffic mo*e$ $o#n+ >trollers strolle$

upon the si$e#al's+ !ut )au$ ha$ &one+

Chapter 27
II his %e$room at the Carlton "otel 9eor&e !e*an #as pac'in&+ :hat is to say he ha$ %e&un pac'in&D %ut for the last t#enty minutes he ha$ %een sittin& on the si$e of the %e$ starin& into a future #hich %ecame %lea'er an$ %lea'er the more he e<amine$ it+ In the last t#o $ays he ha$ %een no stran&er to these &rey moo$s an$ they ha$ %ecome har$er an$ har$er to $ispel+ Io# #ith the steamer.trun' %efore him &apin& to recei*e its contents he &a*e himself up #hole.hearte$ly to &loom+ >omeho# the steamer.trun' #ith all that it implie$ of partin&s an$ *oya&in&s seeme$ to emphasiBe the fact that he #as &oin& out alone into an empty #orl$+ >oon he #oul$ %e on %oar$ the liner e*ery re*olution of #hose en&ines #oul$ %e ta'in& him farther a#ay from #here his heart #oul$ al#ays %e+ :here #ere moments #hen the torment of this realiBation %ecame almost physical+ It #as incre$i%le that three short #ee's a&o he ha$ %een a happy man+ 0onely perhaps %ut only in a *a&ue impersonal #ay+ Iot lonely #ith this achin& loneliness that torture$ him no#+ 4hat #as there left for himE As re&ar$s any triumphs #hich the future mi&ht %rin& in connection #ith his #or' he #as as )ac the sta&e.$oor 'eeper ha$ sai$ @%larByA+ Any success he mi&ht ha*e #oul$ %e %ut a stale repetition of other successes #hich he ha$ achie*e$+ "e #oul$ &o on #or'in& of course %ut2+ :he rin&in& of the telephone %ell across the room -er'e$ him %ac' to the present+ "e &ot up #ith a muttere$ male$iction+ >omeone callin& up a&ain from the theatre pro%a%ly+ :hey ha$ %een $oin& it all the time since he ha$ announce$ his intention of lea*in& for America %y >atur$ay5s %oat+ @"elloEA he sai$ #earily+ @Is that 9eor&eEA as'e$ a *oice+ It seeme$ familiar %ut all female *oices soun$ the same o*er the telephone+ @:his is 9eor&e A he replie$+ @4ho are youEA @Don5t you 'no# my *oiceEA @I $o not+A @Cou5ll 'no# it Fuite #ell %efore lon&+ I5m a &reat tal'er+5 @Is that !illieEA @It is not !illie #hoe*er !illie may %e+ I am female 9eor&e+A @>o is !illie+A @4ell you ha$ %etter run throu&h the list of your feminine frien$s till you reach me+A @I ha*en5t any feminine frien$s+A @IoneEA @:hat5s o$$+A @4hyEA @Cou tol$ me in the &ar$en t#o ni&hts a&o that you loo'e$ on me as a pal+A 9eor&e sat $o#n a%ruptly+ "e felt %oneless+ @Is2is that youEA he stammere$+ @It can5t %e2)au$GA @"o# cle*er of you to &uess+ 9eor&e I #ant to as' you one or t#o thin&s+ In the first place are you fon$ of %utterEA 9eor&e %lin'e$+ :his #as not a $ream+ "e ha$ -ust still hurt most con*incin&ly+ "e

nee$e$ the e*i$ence to assure himself that he #as a#a'e+ @!utterEA he Fuerie$+ @4hat $o you meanEA @/h #ell if you $on5t e*en 'no# #hat %utter means I e<pect it5s all ri&ht+ 4hat is your #ei&ht 9eor&eEA @A%out a hun$re$ an$ ei&hty poun$s+ !ut I $on5t un$erstan$+A @4ait a minute+A :here #as a silence at the other en$ of the #ire+ @A%out thirteen stone A sai$ )au$5s *oice+ @I5*e %een $oin& it in my hea$+ An$ #hat #as it this time last yearEA @A%out the same I thin'+ I al#ays #ei&h a%out the same+A @"o# #on$erfulG 9eor&eGA @CesEA @:his is *ery important+ "a*e you e*er %een in =lori$aEA @I #as there one #inter+A @Do you 'no# a fish calle$ the pompanoEA @:ell me a%out it+A @"o# $o you meanE It5s -ust a fish+ Cou eat it+A @I 'no#+ 9o into $etails+A @:here aren5t any $etails+ Cou -ust eat it+A :he *oice at the other en$ of the #ire purre$ #ith appro*al+ @I ne*er hear$ anythin& so splen$i$+ :he last man #ho mentione$ pompano to me %ecame a%solutely lyrical a%out spri&s of parsley an$ melte$ %utter+ 4ell that5s that+ Io# here5s another *ery important point+ "o# a%out #all.paperEA 9eor&e presse$ his unoccupie$ han$ a&ainst his forehea$+ :his con*ersation #as unner*in& him+ @I $i$n5t &et that A he sai$+ @Di$n5t &et #hatEA @I mean I $i$n5t Fuite catch #hat you sai$ that time+ It soun$e$ to me li'e H4hat a%out #all.paperEA @It #as H4hat a%out #all.paperE5 4hy notEA @!ut A sai$ 9eor&e #ea'ly @it $oesn5t ma'e any sense+A @/h %ut it $oes+ I mean #hat a%out #all.paper for your $enEA @)y $enEA @Cour $en+ Cou must ha*e a $en+ 4here $o you suppose you5re &oin& to #or' if you $on5tE Io# my i$ea #oul$ %e some nice Fuiet &rass.cloth+ An$ of course you #oul$ ha*e lots of pictures an$ %oo's+ An$ a photo&raph of me+ I5ll &o an$ %e ta'en specially+ :hen there #oul$ %e a piano for you to #or' on an$ t#o or three really comforta%le chairs+ An$2#ell that #oul$ %e a%out all #oul$n5t itEA 9eor&e pulle$ himself to&ether+ @"elloGA he sai$+ @4hy $o you say H"ello5EA @I for&ot I #as in 0on$on+ I shoul$ ha*e sai$ HAre you thereEA @Ces I5m here+A @4ell then #hat $oes it all meanEA @4hat $oes #hat meanEA @4hat you5*e %een sayin&2a%out %utter an$ pompanos an$ #all.paper an$ my $en an$ all thatE I $on5t un$erstan$+A

@"o# stupi$ of youG I #as as'in& you #hat sort of #all.paper you #oul$ li'e in your $en after #e #ere marrie$ an$ settle$ $o#n+A 9eor&e $roppe$ the recei*er+ It clashe$ a&ainst the si$e of the ta%le+ "e &rope$ for it %lin$ly+ @"elloGA he sai$+ @Don5t say H"elloG5 It soun$s so a%ruptGA @4hat $i$ you say thenEA @I sai$ HDon5t say "elloGA @Io %efore thatG !efore thatG Cou sai$ somethin& a%out &ettin& marrie$+A @4ell aren5t #e &oin& to &et marrie$E /ur en&a&ement is announce$ in the )ornin& 3ost+A @!ut2!ut2A @9eor&eGA )au$5s *oice shoo'+ @Don5t tell me you are &oin& to -ilt meGA she sai$ tra&ically+ @!ecause if you are let me 'no# in time as I shall #ant to %rin& an action for %reach of promise+ I5*e -ust met such a capa%le youn& man #ho #ill loo' after the #hole thin& for me+ "e #ears a %o#ler hat on the si$e of his hea$ an$ calls #aitresses H)a%el5+ Ans#er Hyes5 or Hno5+ 4ill you marry meEA @!ut2!ut2ho# a%out2I mean #hat a%out2I mean ho# a%out2EA @)a'e up your min$ #hat you $o mean+A @:he other fello#GA &aspe$ 9eor&e+ A musical lau&h #as #afte$ to him o*er the #ire+ @4hat a%out himEA @4ell #hat a%out himEA sai$ 9eor&e+ @Isn5t a &irl allo#e$ to chan&e her min$EA sai$ )au$+ 9eor&e yelpe$ e<cite$ly+ )au$ &a*e a cry+ @Don5t sin&GA she sai$+ @Cou nearly ma$e me $eaf+A @"a*e you chan&e$ your min$EA @Certainly I ha*eGA @An$ you really thin'2Cou really #ant2I mean you really #ant2Cou really thin' 2A @Don5t %e so incoherentGA @)au$GA @4ellEA @4ill you marry meEA @/f course I #ill+A @9oshGA @4hat $i$ you sayEA @I sai$ 9oshG An$ listen to me #hen I say 9osh I mean 9oshG 4here are youE I must see you+ 4here can #e meetE I #ant to see youG =or "ea*en5s sa'e tell me #here you are+ I #ant to see youG 4here are youE 4here are youEA @I5m $o#nstairs+A @4hereE "ere at the HCarlton5EA @"ere at the HCarlton5GA @AloneEA @Nuite alone+A @Cou #on5t %e lon&GA sai$ 9eor&e+

"e hun& up the recei*er an$ %oun$e$ across the room to #here his coat hun& o*er the %ac' of a chair+ :he e$&e of the steamer.trun' cau&ht his shin+ @4ell A sai$ 9eor&e to the steamer.trun' @an$ #hat are you %uttin& in forE 4ho #ants you I shoul$ li'e to 'no#GA