Andalltheattachmentofhissoulwouldnotkeephim。Verywell，hewouldhavetogo。Buthewouldcomebackwhenhehadtiredofhis，newsensation。
Hehackedattheearthtillshewasfrettedtodeath。Sherose。
Hesatflinginglumpsofearthinthestream。
“Wewillgoandhaveteahere？”heasked。
“Yes，“sheanswered。
Theychatteredoverirrelevantsubjectsduringtea。
Heheldforthontheloveofornament——thecottageparlourmovedhim，thereto——anditsconnectionwithaesthetics。Shewascoldandquiet。
Astheywalkedhome，sheasked：
“Andweshallnotseeeachother？”
“No——orrarely，“heanswered。
“Norwrite？”sheasked，almostsarcastically。
“Asyouwill，“heanswered。”We’renotstrangers——never，shouldbe，whateverhappened。Iwillwritetoyounowandagain。
Youpleaseyourself。”
“Isee！”sheansweredcuttingly。
Buthewasatthatstageatwhichnothingelsehurts。
Hehadmadeagreatcleavageinhislife。Hehadhadagreatshock，whenshehadtoldhimtheirlovehadbeenalwaysaconflict。
Nothingmoremattered。Ifitneverhadbeenmuch，therewasnoneed，tomakeafussthatitwasended。
Heleftheratthelane-end。Asshewenthome，solitary，inhernewfrock，havingherpeopletofaceattheotherend，hestoodstillwithshameandpaininthehighroad，thinkingof，thesufferinghecausedher。
Inthereactiontowardsrestoringhisself-esteem，hewent，intotheWillowTreeforadrink。Therewerefourgirlswhohad，beenoutfortheday，drinkingamodestglassofport。Theyhad，somechocolatesonthetable。Paulsatnearwithhiswhisky。
Henoticedthegirlswhisperingandnudging。Presentlyone，abonnydarkhussy，leanedtohimandsaid：
“Haveachocolate？”
Theotherslaughedloudlyatherimpudence。
“Allright，“saidPaul。”Givemeahardone——nut。Idon’t，likecreams。”
“Hereyouare，then，“saidthegirl;“here’sanalmondforyou。”
Sheheldthesweetbetweenherfingers。Heopenedhismouth。
Shepoppeditin，andblushed。
“YouAREnice！”hesaid。
“Well，“sheanswered，“wethoughtyoulookedovercast，andtheydaredmeofferyouachocolate。”
“Idon’tmindifIhaveanother——anothersort，“hesaid。
Andpresentlytheywerealllaughingtogether。
Itwasnineo’clockwhenhegothome，fallingdark。Heentered，thehouseinsilence。Hismother，whohadbeenwaiting，roseanxiously。
“Itoldher，“hesaid。
“I’mglad，“repliedthemother，withgreatrelief。
Hehunguphiscapwearily。
“Isaidwe’dhavedonealtogether，“hesaid。
“That’sright，myson，“saidthemother。”It’shardforhernow，butbestinthelongrun。Iknow。Youweren’tsuitedforher。”
Helaughedshakilyashesatdown。
“I’vehadsuchalarkwithsomegirlsinapub，“hesaid。
Hismotherlookedathim。HehadforgottenMiriamnow。Hetold，heraboutthegirlsintheWillowTree。Mrs。Morellookedathim。
Itseemedunreal，hisgaiety。Atthebackofitwastoomuchhorror，andmisery。
“Nowhavesomesupper，“shesaidverygently。
Afterwardshesaidwistfully：
“Sheneverthoughtshe’dhaveme，mother，notfromthefirst，andsoshe’snotdisappointed。”
“I’mafraid，“saidhismother，“shedoesn’tgiveuphopes，ofyouyet。”
“No，“hesaid，“perhapsnot。”
“You’llfindit’sbettertohavedone，“shesaid。
“Idon’tknow，“hesaiddesperately。
“Well，leaveheralone，“repliedhismother。Sohelefther，andshewasalone。Veryfewpeoplecaredforher，andsheforvery，fewpeople。Sheremainedalonewithherself，waiting。
CHAPTERXII
PASSION
HEwasgraduallymakingitpossibletoearnalivelihoodby，hisart。Liberty’shadtakenseveralofhispainteddesigns，onvariousstuffs，andhecouldselldesignsforembroideries，foraltar-cloths，andsimilarthings，inoneortwoplaces。
Itwasnotverymuchhemadeatpresent，buthemightextendit。
Hehadalsomadefriendswiththedesignerforapotteryfirm，andwasgainingsomeknowledgeofhisnewacquaintance’sart。
Theappliedartsinterestedhimverymuch。Atthesametime，helabouredslowlyathispictures。Helovedtopaintlargefigures，fulloflight，butnotmerelymadeupoflightsandcastshadows，liketheimpressionists;ratherdefinitefiguresthathadacertain，luminousquality，likesomeofMichaelAngelo’speople。Andthese，hefittedintoalandscape，inwhathethoughttrueproportion。
Heworkedagreatdealfrommemory，usingeverybodyheknew。
Hebelievedfirmlyinhiswork，thatitwasgoodandvaluable。
Inspiteoffitsofdepression，shrinking，everything，hebelieved，inhiswork。
Hewastwenty-fourwhenhesaidhisfirstconfidentthing，tohismother。
“Mother，“hesaid，“Is’llmakeapainterthatthey’llattendto。”
Shesniffedinherquaintfashion。Itwaslikeahalf-pleased，shrugoftheshoulders。
“Verywell，myboy，we’llsee，“shesaid。
“Youshallsee，mypigeon！，Youseeifyou’renotswanky，oneofthesedays！”
“I’mquitecontent，myboy，“shesmiled。
“Butyou’llhavetoalter。LookatyouwithMinnie！”
Minniewasthesmallservant，agirloffourteen。
“AndwhataboutMinnie？”askedMrs。Morel，withdignity。
“Iheardherthismorning：，’Eh，Mrs。Morel！，Iwasgoing，todothat，’whenyouwentoutintherainforsomecoal，“hesaid。
“Thatlooksalotlikeyourbeingabletomanageservants！”
“Well，itwasonlythechild’sniceness，“saidMrs。Morel。
“Andyouapologisingtoher：，’Youcan’tdotwothingsatonce，canyou？’“
“SheWASbusywashingup，“repliedMrs。Morel。
“Andwhatdidshesay？，’Itcouldeasyhavewaitedabit。
Nowlookhowyourfeetpaddle！’“
“Yes——brazenyoungbaggage！”saidMrs。Morel，smiling。
Helookedathismother，laughing。Shewasquitewarmand，rosyagainwithloveofhim。Itseemedasifallthesunshine，wereonherforamoment。Hecontinuedhisworkgladly。
Sheseemedsowellwhenshewashappythatheforgothergreyhair。
AndthatyearshewentwithhimtotheIsleofWightfor，aholiday。Itwastooexcitingforthemboth，andtoobeautiful。
Mrs。Morelwasfullofjoyandwonder。Buthewouldhaveher，walkwithhimmorethanshewasable。Shehadabadfaintingbout。
Sogreyherfacewas，sobluehermouth！，Itwasagonytohim。
Hefeltasifsomeonewerepushingaknifeinhischest。Thenshe，wasbetteragain，andheforgot。Buttheanxietyremainedinsidehim，likeawoundthatdidnotclose。
AfterleavingMiriamhewentalmoststraighttoClara。
OntheMondayfollowingthedayoftherupturehewentdownto，thework-room。Shelookedupathimandsmiled。Theyhadgrown，veryintimateunawares。Shesawanewbrightnessabouthim。
“Well，QueenofSheba！”hesaid，laughing。
“Butwhy？”sheasked。
“Ithinkitsuitsyou。You’vegotanewfrockon。”
Sheflushed，asking：
“Andwhatofit？”
“Suitsyou——awfully！，Icoulddesignyouadress。”
“Howwoulditbe？”
Hestoodinfrontofher，hiseyesglitteringasheexpounded。
Hekepthereyesfixedwithhis。Thensuddenlyhetookholdofher。
Shehalf-startedback。Hedrewthestuffofherblousetighter，smootheditoverherbreast。
“MoreSO！”heexplained。
Buttheywerebothofthemflamingwithblushes，andimmediately，heranaway。Hehadtouchedher。Hiswholebodywasquivering，withthesensation。
Therewasalreadyasortofsecretunderstandingbetweenthem。
Thenexteveninghewenttothecinematographwithherforafew，minutesbeforetrain-time。Astheysat，hesawherhandlying，nearhim。Forsomemomentshedarednottouchit。Thepictures，dancedanddithered。Thenhetookherhandinhis。Itwaslarge，andfirm;itfilledhisgrasp。Hehelditfast。Sheneither，movednormadeanysign。Whentheycameouthistrainwasdue。
Hehesitated。
“Good-night，“shesaid。Hedartedawayacrosstheroad。
Thenextdayhecameagain，talkingtoher。Shewasrather，superiorwithhim。
“ShallwegoawalkonMonday？”heasked。
Sheturnedherfaceaside。
“ShallyoutellMiriam？”sherepliedsarcastically。
“Ihavebrokenoffwithher，“hesaid。
“When？”
“LastSunday。”
“Youquarrelled？”
“No！，Ihadmadeupmymind。ItoldherquitedefinitelyI
shouldconsidermyselffree。”
Claradidnotanswer，andhereturnedtohiswork。Shewas，soquietandsosuperb！
OntheSaturdayeveningheaskedhertocomeanddrinkcoffee，withhiminarestaurant，meetinghimafterworkwasover。Shecame，lookingveryreservedandverydistant。Hehadthree-quarters，ofanhourtotrain-time。
“Wewillwalkalittlewhile，“hesaid。
Sheagreed，andtheywentpasttheCastleintothePark。
Hewasafraidofher。Shewalkedmoodilyathisside，withakind，ofresentful，reluctant，angrywalk。Hewasafraidtotakeherhand。
“Whichwayshallwego？”heaskedastheywalkedindarkness。
“Idon’tmind。”
“Thenwe’llgoupthesteps。”
Hesuddenlyturnedround。TheyhadpassedtheParksteps。
Shestoodstillinresentmentathissuddenlyabandoningher。
Helookedforher。Shestoodaloof。Hecaughthersuddenlyin，hisarms，heldherstrainedforamoment，kissedher。Thenhelet，hergo。
“Comealong，“hesaid，penitent。
Shefollowedhim。Hetookherhandandkissedher，finger-tips。Theywentinsilence。Whentheycametothelight，heletgoherhand。Neitherspoketilltheyreachedthestation。
Thentheylookedeachotherintheeyes。
“Good-night，“shesaid。
Andhewentforhistrain。Hisbodyactedmechanically。
Peopletalkedtohim。Heheardfaintechoesansweringthem。
Hewasinadelirium。HefeltthathewouldgomadifMondaydid，notcomeatonce。OnMondayhewouldseeheragain。Allhimself，waspitchedthere，ahead。Sundayintervened。Hecouldnotbearit。
HecouldnotseehertillMonday。AndSundayintervened——hour，afterhouroftension。Hewantedtobeathisheadagainstthe，doorofthecarriage。Buthesatstill。Hedranksomewhisky，onthewayhome，butitonlymadeitworse。Hismothermustnot，beupset，thatwasall。Hedissembled，andgotquicklytobed。
Therehesat，dressed，withhischinonhisknees，staringoutof，thewindowatthefarhill，withitsfewlights。Heneitherthoughtnorslept，butsatperfectlystill，staring。Andwhenatlasthewassocoldthat，hecametohimself，hefoundhiswatchhadstoppedathalf-pasttwo。
Itwasafterthreeo’clock。Hewasexhausted，butstilltherewas，thetormentofknowingitwasonlySundaymorning。Hewenttobed，andslept。Thenhecycledalldaylong，tillhewasfaggedout。
Andhescarcelyknewwherehehadbeen。ButthedayafterwasMonday。
Heslepttillfouro’clock。Thenhelayandthought。Hewascoming，nearertohimself——hecouldseehimself，real，somewhereinfront。
Shewouldgoawalkwithhimintheafternoon。Afternoon！，Itseemed，yearsahead。
Slowlythehourscrawled。Hisfathergotup;heheardhim，potteringabout。Thentheminersetofftothepit，hisheavy，bootsscrapingtheyard。Cockswerestillcrowing。Acart，wentdowntheroad。Hismothergotup。Sheknockedthefire。
Presentlyshecalledhimsoftly。Heansweredasifhewereasleep。
Thisshellofhimselfdidwell。
Hewaswalkingtothestation——anothermile！，Thetrain，wasnearNottingham。Woulditstopbeforethetunnels？
Butitdidnotmatter;itwouldgettherebeforedinner-time。He，wasatJordan’s。Shewouldcomeinhalfanhour。Atanyrate，shewouldbenear。Hehaddonetheletters。Shewouldbethere。
Perhapsshehadnotcome。Herandownstairs。Ah！hesawher，throughtheglassdoor。Hershouldersstoopingalittletoher，workmadehimfeelhecouldnotgoforward;hecouldnotstand。
Hewentin。Hewaspale，nervous，awkward，andquitecold。
Wouldshemisunderstandhim？，Hecouldnotwritehisrealself，withthisshell。
“Andthisafternoon，“hestruggledtosay。”Youwillcome？”
“Ithinkso，“shereplied，murmuring。
Hestoodbeforeher，unabletosayaword。Shehidher，facefromhim。Againcameoverhimthefeelingthathewould，loseconsciousness。Hesethisteethandwentupstairs。Hehad，doneeverythingcorrectlyyet，andhewoulddoso。Allthemorning，thingsseemedalongwayoff，astheydotoamanunderchloroform。
Hehimselfseemedunderatightbandofconstraint。Thentherewashis，otherself，inthedistance，doingthings，enteringstuffinaledger，andhewatchedthatfar-offhimcarefullytoseehemadenomistake。
Buttheacheandstrainofitcouldnotgoonmuchlonger。
Heworkedincessantly。Stillitwasonlytwelveo’clock。Asifhe，hadnailedhisclothingagainstthedesk，hestoodthereandworked，forcingeverystrokeoutofhimself。Itwasaquartertoone;
hecouldclearaway。Thenherandownstairs。
“YouwillmeetmeattheFountainattwoo’clock，“hesaid。
“Ican’tbetheretillhalf-past。”
“Yes！”hesaid。
Shesawhisdark，madeyes。
“Iwilltryataquarterpast。”
Andhehadtobecontent。Hewentandgotsomedinner。
Allthetimehewasstillunderchloroform，andeveryminute，wasstretchedoutindefinitely。Hewalkedmilesofstreets。
Thenhethoughthewouldbelateatthemeeting-place。Hewasat，theFountainatfivepasttwo。Thetortureofthenextquarter，ofanhourwasrefinedbeyondexpression。Itwastheanguish，ofcombiningthelivingselfwiththeshell。Thenhesawher。
Shecame！，Andhewasthere。
“Youarelate，“hesaid。
“Onlyfiveminutes，“sheanswered。
“I’dneverhavedoneittoyou，“helaughed。
Shewasinadarkbluecostume。Helookedatherbeautifulfigure。
“Youwantsomeflowers，“hesaid，goingtothenearestflorist’s。
Shefollowedhiminsilence。Heboughtherabunchofscarlet，brick-redcarnations。Sheputtheminhercoat，flushing。
“That’safinecolour！”hesaid。
“I’dratherhavehadsomethingsofter，“shesaid。
Helaughed。
“Doyoufeellikeablotofvermilionwalkingdownthestreet？”
hesaid。
Shehungherhead，afraidofthepeopletheymet。
Helookedsidewaysatherastheywalked。Therewasawonderful，closedownonherfaceneartheearthathewantedtotouch。
Andacertainheaviness，theheavinessofaveryfullearof，cornthatdipsslightlyinthewind，thattherewasabouther，madehisbrainspin。Heseemedtobespinningdownthestreet，everythinggoinground。
Astheysatinthetramcar，sheleanedherheavyshoulder，againsthim，andhetookherhand。Hefelthimselfcominground，fromtheanaesthetic，beginningtobreathe。Herear，half-hiddenamong，herblondehair，wasneartohim。Thetemptationtokissitwas，almosttoogreat。Buttherewereotherpeopleontopofthecar。
Itstillremainedtohimtokissit。Afterall，hewasnothimself，hewassomeattributeofhers，likethesunshinethatfellonher。
Helookedquicklyaway。Ithadbeenraining。Thebigbluff，oftheCastlerockwasstreakedwithrain，asitrearedabove，theflatofthetown。Theycrossedthewide，blackspaceofthe，MidlandRailway，andpassedthecattleenclosurethatstoodoutwhite。
ThentheyrandownsordidWilfordRoad。
Sherockedslightlytothetram’smotion，andassheleaned，againsthim，rockeduponhim。Hewasavigorous，slenderman，withexhaustlessenergy。Hisfacewasrough，withrough-hewnfeatures，likethecommonpeople’s;buthiseyesunderthedeepbrowswere，sofulloflifethattheyfascinatedher。Theyseemedtodance，andyettheywerestilltremblingonthefinestbalanceoflaughter。
Hismouththesamewasjustgoingtospringintoalaughoftriumph，yetdidnot。Therewasasharpsuspenseabouthim。Shebither，lipmoodily。Hishandwashardclenchedoverhers。
Theypaidtheirtwohalfpenniesattheturnstileandcrossed，thebridge。TheTrentwasveryfull。Itsweptsilentandinsidious，underthebridge，travellinginasoftbody。Therehadbeenagreat，dealofrain。Ontheriverlevelswereflatgleamsoffloodwater。
Theskywasgrey，withglistenofsilverhereandthere。InWilford，churchyardthedahliasweresoddenwithrain——wetblack-crimsonballs。
Noonewasonthepaththatwentalongthegreenrivermeadow，alongtheelm-treecolonnade。
Therewasthefaintesthazeoverthesilvery-darkwater，andthegreenmeadow-bank，andtheelm-treesthatwerespangled，withgold。Theriverslidbyinabody，utterlysilentandswift，intertwiningamongitselflikesomesubtle，complexcreature。
Clarawalkedmoodilybesidehim。
“Why，“sheaskedatlength，inratherajarringtone，“didyou，leaveMiriam？”
Hefrowned。
“BecauseIWANTEDtoleaveher，“hesaid。
“Why？”
“BecauseIdidn’twanttogoonwithher。AndIdidn’twant，tomarry。”
Shewassilentforamoment。Theypickedtheirwaydownthemuddypath。
Dropsofwaterfellfromtheelm-trees。
“Youdidn’twanttomarryMiriam，oryoudidn’twanttomarry，atall？”sheasked。
“Both，“heanswered——“both！”
Theyhadtomanoeuvretogettothestile，becauseofthepools，ofwater。
“Andwhatdidshesay？”Claraasked。
“Miriam？，ShesaidIwasababyoffour，andthatIalways，HADbattledheroff。”
Claraponderedoverthisforatime。
“Butyouhavereallybeengoingwithherforsometime？”
sheasked。
“Yes。”
“Andnowyoudon’twantanymoreofher？”
“No。Iknowit’snogood。”
Sheponderedagain。
“Don’tyouthinkyou’vetreatedherratherbadly？”sheasked。
“Yes;Ioughttohavedroppedityearsback。Butitwould，havebeennogoodgoingon。Twowrongsdon’tmakearight。”
“HowoldAREyou？”Claraasked。
“Twenty-five。”
“AndIamthirty，“shesaid。
“Iknowyouare。”
“Ishallbethirty-one——orAMIthirty-one？”
“Ineitherknownorcare。Whatdoesitmatter！”
TheywereattheentrancetotheGrove。Thewet，redtrack，alreadystickywithfallenleaves，wentupthesteepbankbetween，thegrass。Oneithersidestoodtheelm-treeslikepillarsalong，agreataisle，archingoverandmakinghighuparooffromwhichthe，deadleavesfell。Allwasemptyandsilentandwet。Shestoodon，topofthestile，andheheldbothherhands。Laughing，shelooked，downintohiseyes。Thensheleaped。Herbreastcameagainsthis;
heheldher，andcoveredherfacewithkisses。
Theywentonuptheslippery，steepredpath。Presentlyshe，releasedhishandandputitroundherwaist。
“Youpresstheveininmyarm，holdingitsotightly，“
shesaid。
Theywalkedalong。Hisfinger-tipsfelttherockingofherbreast。
Allwassilentanddeserted。Onthelefttheredwetplough-land，showedthroughthedoorwaysbetweentheelm-bolesand，theirbranches。Ontheright，lookingdown，theycouldseethetree-tops，ofelmsgrowingfarbeneaththem，hearoccasionallythegurgleof，theriver。Sometimestherebelowtheycaughtglimpsesofthefull，soft-slidingTrent，andofwater-meadowsdottedwithsmallcattle。
“IthasscarcelyalteredsincelittleKirkeWhiteusedtocome，“
hesaid。
Buthewaswatchingherthroatbelowtheear，wheretheflushwas，fusingintothehoney-white，andhermouththatpouteddisconsolate。
Shestirredagainsthimasshewalked，andhisbodywaslike，atautstring。
Halfwayupthebigcolonnadeofelms，wheretheGroverose，highestabovetheriver，theirforwardmovementfalteredtoanend。
Heledheracrosstothegrass，underthetreesattheedgeofthepath。
Thecliffofredearthslopedswiftlydown，throughtreesandbushes，totheriverthatglimmeredandwasdarkbetweenthefoliage。
Thefar-belowwater-meadowswereverygreen。Heandshestoodleaning，againstoneanother，silent，afraid，theirbodiestouchingallalong。
Therecameaquickgurglefromtheriverbelow。
“Why，“heaskedatlength，“didyouhateBaxterDawes？”
Sheturnedtohimwithasplendidmovement。Hermouthwas，offeredhim，andherthroat;hereyeswerehalf-shut;herbreast，wastiltedasifitaskedforhim。Heflashedwithasmalllaugh，shuthiseyes，andmetherinalong，wholekiss。Hermouthfused，withhis;theirbodiesweresealedandannealed。Itwassomeminutes，beforetheywithdrew。Theywerestandingbesidethepublicpath。
“Willyougodowntotheriver？”heasked。
Shelookedathim，leavingherselfinhishands。Hewent，overthebrimofthedeclivityandbegantoclimbdown。
“Itisslippery，“hesaid。
“Nevermind，“shereplied。
Theredclaywentdownalmostsheer。Heslid，wentfromone，tuftofgrasstothenext，hangingontothebushes，makingfora，littleplatformatthefootofatree。Therehewaitedforher，laughingwithexcitement。Hershoeswerecloggedwithredearth。
Itwashardforher。Hefrowned。Atlasthecaughtherhand，andshestoodbesidehim。Thecliffroseabovethemandfellaway，below。Hercolourwasup，hereyesflashed。Helookedatthebig，dropbelowthem。
“It’srisky，“hesaid;“ormessy，atanyrate。Shallwe，goback？”
“Notformysake，“shesaidquickly。
“Allright。Yousee，Ican’thelpyou;Ishouldonlyhinder。
Givemethatlittleparcelandyourgloves。Yourpoorshoes！”
Theystoodperchedonthefaceofthedeclivity，underthetrees。
“Well，I’llgoagain，“hesaid。
Awayhewent，slipping，staggering，slidingtothenexttree，intowhichhefellwithaslamthatnearlyshookthebreathoutofhim。
Shecameaftercautiously，hangingontothetwigsandgrasses。
Sotheydescended，stagebystage，totheriver’sbrink。There，tohisdisgust，thefloodhadeatenawaythepath，andthered，declineranstraightintothewater。Heduginhisheelsandbrought，himselfupviolently。Thestringoftheparcelbrokewithasnap;
thebrownparcelboundeddown，leapedintothewater，andsailed，smoothlyaway。Hehungontohistree。
“Well，I’llbedamned！”hecriedcrossly。Thenhelaughed。
Shewascomingperilouslydown。
“Mind！”hewarnedher。Hestoodwithhisbacktothetree，waiting。”Comenow，“hecalled，openinghisarms。
Sheletherselfrun。Hecaughther，andtogethertheystood，watchingthedarkwaterscoopattherawedgeofthebank。
Theparcelhadsailedoutofsight。
“Itdoesn’tmatter，“shesaid。
Heheldhercloseandkissedher。Therewasonlyroom，fortheirfourfeet。
“It’saswindle！”hesaid。”Butthere’sarutwhereaman，hasbeen，soifwegoonIguessweshallfindthepathagain。”
Theriverslidandtwineditsgreatvolume。Ontheotherbank，cattlewerefeedingonthedesolateflats。Thecliffrosehigh，abovePaulandClaraontheirrighthand。Theystoodagainst，thetreeinthewaterysilence。
“Letustrygoingforward，“hesaid;andtheystruggled，intheredclayalongthegrooveaman’snailedbootshadmade。
Theywerehotandflushed。Theirbarkledshoeshungheavyon，theirsteps。Atlasttheyfoundthebrokenpath。Itwaslittered，withrubblefromthewater，butatanyrateitwaseasier。
Theycleanedtheirbootswithtwigs。Hisheartwasbeatingthick，andfast。
Suddenly，comingontothelittlelevel，hesawtwofigures，ofmenstandingsilentatthewater’sedge。Hisheartleaped。
Theywerefishing。HeturnedandputhishandupwarninglytoClara。
Shehesitated，buttonedhercoat。Thetwowentontogether。
Thefishermenturnedcuriouslytowatchthetwointruders，ontheirprivacyandsolitude。Theyhadhadafire，butitwas，nearlyout。Allkeptperfectlystill。Thementurnedagainto，theirfishing，stoodoverthegreyglintingriverlikestatues。
Clarawentwithbowedhead，flushing;hewaslaughingtohimself。
Directlytheypassedoutofsightbehindthewillows。
“Nowtheyoughttobedrowned，“saidPaulsoftly。
Claradidnotanswer。Theytoiledforwardalongatinypath，ontheriver’slip。Suddenlyitvanished。Thebankwassheerred，solidclayinfrontofthem，slopingstraightintotheriver。
Hestoodandcursedbeneathhisbreath，settinghisteeth。
“It’simpossible！”saidClara。
Hestooderect，lookinground。Justaheadweretwoislets，inthestream，coveredwithosiers。Buttheywereunattainable。
Thecliffcamedownlikeaslopingwallfromfarabovetheirheads。
Behind，notfarback，werethefishermen。Acrosstheriverthe，distantcattlefedsilentlyinthedesolateafternoon。Hecursed，againdeeplyunderhisbreath。Hegazedupthegreatsteepbank。
Wastherenohopebuttoscalebacktothepublicpath？
“Stopaminute，“hesaid，and，digginghisheelssideways，intothesteepbankofredclay，hebegannimblytomount。
Helookedacrossateverytree-foot。Atlasthefoundwhathewanted。
Twobeech-treessidebysideonthehillheldalittlelevelonthe，upperfacebetweentheirroots。Itwaslitteredwithdampleaves，butitwoulddo。Thefishermenwereperhapssufficientlyoutofsight。
Hethrewdownhisrainproofandwavedtohertocome。
Shetoiledtohisside。Arrivingthere，shelookedathim，heavily，dumbly，andlaidherheadonhisshoulder。Heheldherfast，ashelookedround。Theyweresafeenoughfromallbutthesmall，lonelycowsovertheriver。Hesunkhismouthonherthroat，wherehefeltherheavypulsebeatunderhislips。Everythingwas，perfectlystill。Therewasnothingintheafternoonbutthemselves。
Whenshearose，he，lookingonthegroundallthetime，sawsuddenlysprinkledontheblackwetbeech-rootsmanyscarlet，carnationpetals，likesplasheddropsofblood;andred，small，splashesfellfromherbosom，streamingdownherdresstoherfeet。
“Yourflowersaresmashed，“hesaid。
Shelookedathimheavilyassheputbackherhair。
Suddenlyheputhisfinger-tipsonhercheek。
“Whydostlooksoheavy？”hereproachedher。
Shesmiledsadly，asifshefeltaloneinherself。Hecaressed，hercheekwithhisfingers，andkissedher。
“Nay！”hesaid。”Nevertheebother！”
Shegrippedhisfingerstight，andlaughedshakily。
Thenshedroppedherhand。Heputthehairbackfromherbrows，strokinghertemples，kissingthemlightly。
“Butthashouldnaworrit！”hesaidsoftly，pleading。
“No，Idon’tworry！”shelaughedtenderlyandresigned。
“Yea，thadoes！，Dunnatheeworrit，“heimplored，caressing。
“No！”sheconsoledhim，kissinghim。
Theyhadastiffclimbtogettothetopagain。Ittookthem，aquarterofanhour。Whenhegotontothelevelgrass，hethrew，offhiscap，wipedthesweatfromhisforehead，andsighed。
“Nowwe’rebackattheordinarylevel，“hesaid。
Shesatdown，panting，onthetussockygrass。Hercheeks，wereflushedpink。Hekissedher，andshegavewaytojoy。
“AndnowI’llcleanthybootsandmaketheefit，forrespectablefolk，“hesaid。
Hekneeledatherfeet，workedawaywithastickandtufts，ofgrass。Sheputherfingersinhishair，drewhisheadtoher，andkissedit。
“WhatamIsupposedtobedoing，“hesaid，lookingatherlaughing;
“cleaningshoesordibblingwithlove？，Answermethat！”
“JustwhicheverIplease，“shereplied。
“I’myourboot-boyforthetimebeing，andnothingelse！”
Buttheyremainedlookingintoeachother’seyesandlaughing。
Thentheykissedwithlittlenibblingkisses。
“T-t-t-t！”hewentwithhistongue，likehismother。
“Itellyou，nothinggetsdonewhenthere’sawomanabout。”
Andhereturnedtohisboot-cleaning，singingsoftly。
Shetouchedhisthickhair，andhekissedherfingers。Heworked，awayathershoes。Atlasttheywerequitepresentable。
“Thereyouare，yousee！”hesaid。”Aren’tIagreathandat，restoringyoutorespectability？，Standup！
There，youlookasirreproachableasBritanniaherself！”
Hecleanedhisownbootsalittle，washedhishandsinapuddle，andsang。TheywentonintoCliftonvillage。Hewasmadlyinlove，withher;everymovementshemade，everycreaseinhergarments，sentahotflashthroughhimandseemedadorable。
Theoldladyatwhosehousetheyhadteawasrousedintogaiety，bythem。
“Icouldwishyou’dhadsomethingofabetterday，“shesaid，hoveringround。
“Nay！”helaughed。”We’vebeensayinghowniceitis。”
Theoldladylookedathimcuriously。Therewasapeculiar，glowandcharmabouthim。Hiseyesweredarkandlaughing。
Herubbedhismoustachewithagladmovement。
“HaveyoubeensayingSO！”sheexclaimed，alightrousing，inheroldeyes。
“Truly！”helaughed。
“ThenI’msuretheday’sgoodenough，“saidtheoldlady。
Shefussedabout，anddidnotwanttoleavethem。
“Idon’tknowwhetheryou’dlikesomeradishesaswell，“
shesaidtoClara;“butI’vegotsomeinthegarden——ANDacucumber。”
Claraflushed。Shelookedveryhandsome。
“Ishouldlikesomeradishes，“sheanswered。
Andtheoldladypotteredoffgleefully。
“Ifsheknew！”saidClaraquietlytohim。
“Well，shedoesn’tknow;anditshowswe’reniceinourselves，atanyrate。Youlookquiteenoughtosatisfyanarchangel，andI’m，sureIfeelharmless——so——ifitmakesyoulooknice，andmakesfolk，happywhentheyhaveus，andmakesushappy——why，we’renotcheating，themoutofmuch！”
Theywentonwiththemeal。Whentheyweregoingaway，theoldladycametimidlywiththreetinydahliasinfullblow，neatasbees，andspeckledscarletandwhite。ShestoodbeforeClara，pleasedwithherself，saying：
“Idon’tknowwhether——“andholdingtheflowersforward，inheroldhand。
“Oh，howpretty！”criedClara，acceptingtheflowers。
“Shallshehavethemall？”askedPaulreproachfullyofthe，oldwoman。
“Yes，sheshallhavethemall，“shereplied，beamingwithjoy。
“Youhavegotenoughforyourshare。”
“Ah，butIshallaskhertogivemeone！”heteased。
“Thenshedoesasshepleases，“saidtheoldlady，smiling。
Andshebobbedalittlecurtseyofdelight。
Clarawasratherquietanduncomfortable。Astheywalkedalong，hesaid：
“Youdon’tfeelcriminal，doyou？”
Shelookedathimwithstartledgreyeyes。
“Criminal！”shesaid。”No。”
“Butyouseemtofeelyouhavedoneawrong？”
“No，“shesaid。”Ionlythink，’Iftheyknew！’“
“Iftheyknew，they’dceasetounderstand。Asitis，theydo，understand，andtheylikeit。Whatdotheymatter？，Here，withonly，thetreesandme，youdon’tfeelnottheleastbitwrong，doyou？”
Hetookherbythearm，heldherfacinghim，holdinghereyes，withhis。Somethingfrettedhim。
“Notsinners，arewe？”hesaid，withanuneasylittlefrown。
“No，“shereplied。
Hekissedher，laughing。
“Youlikeyourlittlebitofguiltiness，Ibelieve，“hesaid。
“IbelieveEveenjoyedit，whenshewentcoweringoutofParadise。”
Buttherewasacertainglowandquietnessaboutherthatmade，himglad。Whenhewasaloneintherailway-carriage，hefound，himselftumultuouslyhappy，andthepeopleexceedinglynice，andthenightlovely，andeverythinggood。
Mrs。Morelwassittingreadingwhenhegothome。Herhealth，wasnotgoodnow，andtherehadcomethativorypallorintoherface，whichhenevernoticed，andwhichafterwardsheneverforgot。
Shedidnotmentionherownill-healthtohim。Afterall，shethought，itwasnotmuch。
“Youarelate！”shesaid，lookingathim。
Hiseyeswereshining;hisfaceseemedtoglow。Hesmiled，toher。
“Yes;I’vebeendownCliftonGrovewithClara。”
Hismotherlookedathimagain。
“Butwon’tpeopletalk？”shesaid。
“Why？，Theyknowshe’sasuffragette，andsoon。Andwhat，iftheydotalk！”
“Ofcourse，theremaybenothingwronginit，“saidhismother。
“Butyouknowwhatfolksare，andifonceshegetstalkedabout——“
“Well，Ican’thelpit。Theirjawisn’tsoalmightyimportant，afterall。”
“IthinkyououghttoconsiderHER。”
“SoIDO！，Whatcanpeoplesay？——thatwetakeawalktogether。
Ibelieveyou’rejealous。”
“YouknowIshouldbeGLADifsheweren’tamarriedwoman。”
“Well，mydear，shelivesseparatefromherhusband，andtalks，onplatforms;soshe’salreadysingledoutfromthesheep，and，asfar，asIcansee，hasn’tmuchtolose。No;herlife’snothingtoher，sowhat’stheworthofnothing？，Shegoeswithme——itbecomessomething。
Thenshemustpay——webothmustpay！，Folkaresofrightenedofpaying;
they’dratherstarveanddie。”
“Verywell，myson。We’llseehowitwillend。”
“Verywell，mymother。I’llabidebytheend。”
“We’llsee！”
“Andshe’s——she’sAWFULLYnice，mother;sheisreally！
Youdon’tknow！”
“That’snotthesameasmarryingher。”
“It’sperhapsbetter。”
Therewassilenceforawhile。Hewanted，toaskhismothersomething，butwasafraid。
“Shouldyouliketoknowher？”Hehesitated。
“Yes，“saidMrs。Morelcoolly。”Ishouldliketoknow，whatshe’slike。”
“Butshe’snice，mother，sheis！，Andnotabitcommon！”
“Ineversuggestedshewas。”
“Butyouseemtothinkshe’s——notasgoodas——，She’sbetterthan，ninety-ninefolkoutofahundred，Itellyou！，She’sBETTER，sheis！
She’sfair，she’shonest，she’sstraight！，Thereisn’tanything，underhandorsuperiorabouther。Don’tbemeanabouther！”
Mrs。Morelflushed。
“IamsureIamnotmeanabouther。Shemaybequite，asyousay，but——“
“Youdon’tapprove，“hefinished。
“Anddoyouexpectmeto？”sheansweredcoldly。
“Yes！——yes！——ifyou’danythingaboutyou，you’dbeglad！
DoyouWANTtoseeher？”
“IsaidIdid。”
“ThenI’llbringher——shallIbringherhere？”
“Youpleaseyourself。”
“ThenIWILLbringherhere——oneSunday——totea。Ifyouthink，ahorridthingabouther，Ishan’tforgiveyou。”
Hismotherlaughed。
“Asifitwouldmakeanydifference！”shesaid。Heknewhe，hadwon。
“Oh，butitfeelssofine，whenshe’sthere！，She’ssuch，aqueeninherway。”
OccasionallyhestillwalkedalittlewayfromchapelwithMiriam，andEdgar。Hedidnotgouptothefarm。She，however，wasverymuch，thesamewithhim，andhedidnotfeelembarrassedinherpresence。
Oneeveningshewasalonewhenheaccompaniedher。Theybegan，bytalkingbooks：，itwastheirunfailingtopic。Mrs。Morelhad，saidthathisandMiriam’saffairwaslikeafirefedonbooks——if，therewerenomorevolumesitwoulddieout。Miriam，forherpart，boastedthatshecouldreadhimlikeabook，couldplaceherfinger，anyminuteonthechapterandtheline。He，easilytakenin，believedthatMiriamknewmoreabouthimthananyoneelse。Soit，pleasedhimtotalktoherabouthimself，likethesimplestegoist。
Verysoontheconversationdriftedtohisowndoings。Itflattered，himimmenselythathewasofsuchsupremeinterest。
“Andwhathaveyoubeendoinglately？”
“I——oh，notmuch！，ImadeasketchofBestwoodfromthegarden，thatisnearlyrightatlast。It’sthehundredthtry。”
Sotheywenton。Thenshesaid：
“You’venotbeenout，then，lately？”
“Yes;IwentupCliftonGroveonMondayafternoonwithClara。”
“Itwasnotveryniceweather，“saidMiriam，“wasit？”
“ButIwantedtogoout，anditwasallright。TheTrent，ISfull。”
“AnddidyougotoBarton？”sheasked。
“No;wehadteainClifton。”
“DIDyou！，Thatwouldbenice。”
“Itwas！，Thejolliestoldwoman！，Shegaveusseveral，pompomdahlias，asprettyasyoulike。”
Miriambowedherheadandbrooded。Hewasquiteunconscious，ofconcealinganythingfromher。
“Whatmadehergivethemyou？”sheasked。
Helaughed。
“Becauseshelikedus——becausewewerejolly，Ishouldthink。”
Miriamputherfingerinhermouth。
“Wereyoulatehome？”sheasked。
Atlastheresentedhertone。
“Icaughttheseven-thirty。”
“Ha！”
Theywalkedoninsilence，andhewasangry。
“AndhowISClara？”askedMiriam。
“Quiteallright，Ithink。”
“That’sgood！”shesaid，withatingeofirony。”Bytheway，whatofherhusband？，Oneneverhearsanythingofhim。”
“He’sgotsomeotherwoman，andisalsoquiteallright，“
hereplied。”Atleast，soIthink。”
“Isee——youdon’tknowforcertain。Don’tyouthinkaposition，likethatishardonawoman？”
“Rottenlyhard！”
“It’ssounjust！”saidMiriam。”Themandoesashelikes——“
“Thenletthewomanalso，“hesaid。
“Howcanshe？，Andifshedoes，lookatherposition！”
“Whatofit？”
“Why，it’simpossible！，Youdon’tunderstandwhatawomanforfeits——“
“No，Idon’t。Butifawoman’sgotnothingbutherfairfame，tofeedon，why，it’sthintack，andadonkeywoulddieofit！”
Sosheunderstoodhismoralattitude，atleast，andsheknew，hewouldactaccordingly。
Sheneveraskedhimanythingdirect，butshegottoknowenough。
Anotherday，whenhesawMiriam，theconversationturned，tomarriage，thentoClara’smarriagewithDawes。
“Yousee，“hesaid，“sheneverknewthefearfulimportance，ofmarriage。Shethoughtitwasallintheday’smarch——itwould，havetocome——andDawes——well，agoodmanywomenwouldhavegiven，theirsoulstogethim;sowhynothim？，Thenshedevelopedinto，thefemmeincomprise，andtreatedhimbadly，I’llbetmyboots。”
“Andshelefthimbecausehedidn’tunderstandher？”
“Isupposeso。Isupposeshehadto。Itisn’taltogether，aquestionofunderstanding;it’saquestionofliving。Withhim，shewasonlyhalf-alive;therestwasdormant，deadened。Andthe，dormantwomanwasthefemmeincomprise，andsheHADtobeawakened。”
“Andwhatabouthim。”
“Idon’tknow。Iratherthinkhelovesherasmuchashecan，buthe’safool。”
“Itwassomethinglikeyourmotherandfather，“saidMiriam。
“Yes;butmymother，Ibelieve，gotrealjoyandsatisfaction，outofmyfatheratfirst。Ibelieveshehadapassionforhim;
that’swhyshestayedwithhim。Afterall，theywereboundto，eachother。”
“Yes，“saidMiriam。
“That’swhatoneMUSTHAVE，Ithink，“hecontinued——“thereal，realflameoffeelingthroughanotherperson——once，onlyonce，ifitonlylaststhreemonths。See，mymotherlooksasifshe’d，HADeverythingthatwasnecessaryforherlivinganddeveloping。
There’snotatinybitoffeelingofsterilityabouther。”
“No，“saidMiriam。
“Andwithmyfather，atfirst，I’msureshehadtherealthing。
Sheknows;shehasbeenthere。Youcanfeetitabouther，andabouthim，andabouthundredsofpeopleyoumeeteveryday;and，onceithas，happenedtoyou，youcangoonwithanythingandripen。”
“Whathappened，exactly？”askedMiriam。
“It’ssohardtosay，butthesomethingbigandintensethat，changesyouwhenyoureallycometogetherwithsomebodyelse。
Italmostseemstofertiliseyoursoulandmakeitthatyoucango，onandmature。”
“Andyouthinkyourmotherhaditwithyourfather？”
“Yes;andatthebottomshefeelsgratefultohimforgiving，ither，evennow，thoughtheyaremilesapart。”
“AndyouthinkClaraneverhadit？”
“I’msure。”
Miriamponderedthis。Shesawwhathewasseeking——asort，ofbaptismoffireinpassion，itseemedtoher。Sherealised，thathewouldneverbesatisfiedtillhehadit。Perhapsitwas，essentialtohim，astosomemen，tosowwildoats;andafterwards，whenhewassatisfied，hewouldnotragewithrestlessnessanymore，butcouldsettledownandgiveherhislifeintoherhands。Well，then，ifhemustgo，lethimgoandhavehisfill——somethingbigandintense，hecalledit。Atanyrate，whenhehadgotit，hewouldnotwant，it——thathesaidhimself;hewouldwanttheotherthingthatshe，couldgivehim。Hewouldwanttobeowned，sothathecouldwork。
Itseemedtoherabitterthingthathemustgo，butshecouldlet，himgointoaninnforaglassofwhisky，soshecouldlethimgo，toClara，solongasitwassomethingthatwouldsatisfyaneedinhim，andleavehimfreeforherselftopossess。
“HaveyoutoldyourmotheraboutClara？”sheasked。
Sheknewthiswouldbeatestoftheseriousnessofhis，feelingfortheotherwoman：，sheknewhewasgoingtoClarafor，somethingvital，notasamangoesforpleasuretoaprostitute，ifhetoldhismother。
“Yes，“hesaid，“andsheiscomingtoteaonSunday。”
“Toyourhouse？”
“Yes;Iwantmatertoseeher。”
“Ah！”
Therewasasilence。Thingshadgonequickerthanshethought。
Shefeltasuddenbitternessthathecouldleavehersosoon，andsoentirely。AndwasClaratobeacceptedbyhispeople，whohadbeensohostiletoherself？
“ImaycallinasIgotochapel，“shesaid。”Itisalong，timesinceIsawClara。”
“Verywell，“hesaid，astonished，andunconsciouslyangry。
OntheSundayafternoonhewenttoKestontomeetClaraat，thestation。Ashestoodontheplatformhewastryingtoexamine，inhimselfifhehadapremonition。
“DoIFEELasifshe’dcome？”hesaidtohimself，andhetried，tofindout。Hisheartfeltqueerandcontracted。Thatseemed，likeforeboding。ThenheHADaforebodingshewouldnotcome！
Thenshewouldnotcome，andinsteadoftakingheroverthe，fieldshome，ashehadimagined，hewouldhavetogoalone。
Thetrainwaslate;theafternoonwouldbewasted，andtheevening。
Hehatedherfornotcoming。Whyhadshepromised，then，ifshe，couldnotkeepherpromise？，Perhapsshehadmissedhertrain——he，himselfwasalwaysmissingtrains——butthatwasnoreasonwhy，sheshouldmissthisparticularone。Hewasangrywithher;
hewasfurious。
Suddenlyhesawthetraincrawling，sneakingroundthecorner。
Here，then，wasthetrain，butofcourseshehadnotcome。Thegreen，enginehissedalongtheplatform，therowofbrowncarriagesdrewup，severaldoorsopened。No;shehadnotcome！，No！，Yes;ah，there，shewas！，Shehadabigblackhaton！，Hewasathersideinamoment。
“Ithoughtyouweren’tcoming，“hesaid。
Shewaslaughingratherbreathlesslyassheputoutherhand，tohim;theireyesmet。Hetookherquicklyalongtheplatform，talkingatagreatratetohidehisfeeling。Shelookedbeautiful。
Inherhatwerelargesilkroses，colouredliketarnishedgold。
Hercostumeofdarkclothfittedsobeautifullyoverherbreast，andshoulders。Hispridewentupashewalkedwithher。
Hefeltthestationpeople，whoknewhim，eyedherwithawe，andadmiration。
“Iwassureyouweren’tcoming，“helaughedshakily。
Shelaughedinanswer，almostwithalittlecry。
“AndIwondered，whenIwasinthetrain，WHATEVERIshould，doifyouweren’tthere！”shesaid。
Hecaughtherhandimpulsively，andtheywentalong，thenarrowtwitchel。TheytooktheroadintoNuttalland，overtheReckoningHouseFarm。Itwasablue，mildday。
Everywherethebrownleaveslayscattered;manyscarlethips，stooduponthehedgebesidethewood。Hegatheredafewforhertowear。
“Though，really，“hesaid，ashefittedthemintothebreast，ofhercoat，“yououghttoobjecttomygettingthem，becauseof，thebirds。Buttheydon’tcaremuchforrose-hipsinthispart，wheretheycangetplentyofstuff。Youoftenfindtheberries，goingrotteninthespringtime。”
Sohechattered，scarcelyawareofwhathesaid，onlyknowing，hewasputtingberriesinthebosomofhercoat，whileshestood，patientlyforhim。Andshewatchedhisquickhands，sofulloflife，anditseemedtohershehadneverSEENanythingbefore。Tillnow，everythinghadbeenindistinct。
Theycameneartothecolliery。Itstoodquitestillandblack，amongthecorn-fields，itsimmenseheapofslagseenrisingalmost，fromtheoats。
“Whatapitythereisacoal-pitherewhereitissopretty！”
saidClara。
“Doyouthinkso？”heanswered。”Yousee，Iamsousedtoit，Ishouldmissit。No;andIlikethepitshereandthere。Ilikethe，rowsoftrucks，andtheheadstocks，andthesteaminthedaytime，andthelightsatnight。WhenIwasaboy，Ialwaysthought，apillarofcloudbydayandapillaroffirebynightwasapit，withitssteam，anditslights，andtheburningbank，——andIthought，theLordwasalwaysatthepit-top。”
Astheydrewnearhomeshewalkedinsilence，andseemed，tohangback。Hepressedherfingersinhisown。Sheflushed，butgavenoresponse。
“Don’tyouwanttocomehome？”heasked。
“Yes，Iwanttocome，“shereplied。
Itdidnotoccurtohimthatherpositioninhishomewould，beratherapeculiaranddifficultone。Tohimitseemedjustasif，oneofhismenfriendsweregoingtobeintroducedtohismother，onlynicer。
TheMorelslivedinahouseinanuglystreetthatrandown，asteephill。Thestreetitselfwashideous。Thehousewasrather，superiortomost。Itwasold，grimy，withabigbaywindow，andit，wassemi-detached;butitlookedgloomy。ThenPaulopenedthedoor，tothegarden，andallwasdifferent。Thesunnyafternoonwasthere，likeanotherland。Bythepathgrewtansyandlittletrees。Infront，ofthewindowwasaplotofsunnygrass，witholdlilacsroundit。
Andawaywentthegarden，withheapsofdishevelledchrysanthemums，inthesunshine，downtothesycamore-tree，andthefield，andbeyondonelookedoverafewred-roofedcottagestothehills，withalltheglowoftheautumnafternoon。
Mrs。Morelsatinherrocking-chair，wearingherblack，silkblouse。Hergrey-brownhairwastakensmoothbackfromherbrow，andherhightemples;herfacewasratherpale。Clara，suffering，followedPaulintothekitchen。Mrs。Morelrose。Clarathought，heralady，evenratherstiff。Theyoungwomanwasverynervous。
Shehadalmostawistfullook，almostresigned。
“Mother——Clara，“saidPaul。
Mrs。Morelheldoutherhandandsmiled。
“Hehastoldmeagooddealaboutyou，“shesaid。
ThebloodflamedinClara’scheek。
“Ihopeyoudon’tmindmycoming，“shefaltered。
“Iwaspleasedwhenhesaidhewouldbringyou，“repliedMrs。Morel。
Paul，watching，felthisheartcontractwithpain。Hismother，lookedsosmall，andsallow，anddone-forbesidetheluxuriantClara。
“It’ssuchaprettyday，mother！”hesaid。”Andwesawajay。”
Hismotherlookedathim;hehadturnedtoher。Shethought，whatamanheseemed，inhisdark，well-madeclothes。Hewaspale，anddetached-looking;itwouldbehardforanywomantokeephim。
Herheartglowed;thenshewassorryforClara。
“Perhapsyou’llleaveyourthingsintheparlour，“
saidMrs。Morelnicelytotheyoungwoman。
“Oh，thankyou，“shereplied。
“Comeon，“saidPaul，andheledthewayintothelittle，frontroom，withitsoldpiano，itsmahoganyfurniture，itsyellowing，marblemantelpiece。Afirewasburning;theplacewaslittered，withbooksanddrawing-boards。”Ileavemythingslyingabout，“
hesaid。”It’ssomucheasier。”
Shelovedhisartist’sparaphernalia，andthebooks，andthe，photosofpeople。Soonhewastellingher：，thiswasWilliam，thiswasWilliam’syoungladyintheeveningdress，thiswasAnnie，andherhusband，thiswasArthurandhiswifeandthebaby。
Shefeltasifshewerebeingtakenintothefamily。Heshowed，herphotos，books，sketches，andtheytalkedalittlewhile。
Thentheyreturnedtothekitchen。Mrs。Morelputasideherbook。
Claraworeablouseoffinesilkchiffon，withnarrowblack-and-white，stripes;herhairwasdonesimply，coiledontopofherhead。
Shelookedratherstatelyandreserved。
“YouhavegonetolivedownSneintonBoulevard？”saidMrs。Morel。
“WhenIwasagirl——girl，Isay！——whenIwasayoungwomanWElived，inMinervaTerrace。”
“Oh，didyou！”saidClara。”Ihaveafriendinnumber6。”
Andtheconversationhadstarted。TheytalkedNottingham，andNottinghampeople;itinterestedthemboth。Clarawasstill，rathernervous;Mrs。Morelwasstillsomewhatonherdignity。
Sheclippedherlanguageveryclearandprecise。Buttheyweregoing，togetonwelltogether，Paulsaw。
Mrs。Morelmeasuredherselfagainsttheyoungerwoman，andfoundherselfeasilystronger。Clarawasdeferential。
SheknewPaul’ssurprisingregardforhismother，andshehad，dreadedthemeeting，expectingsomeoneratherhardandcold。
Shewassurprisedtofindthislittleinterestedwomanchattingwith，suchreadiness;andthenshefelt，asshefeltwithPaul，thatshewouldnot，caretostandinMrs。Morel’sway。Therewassomethingsohard，andcertaininhismother，asifsheneverhadamisgivinginherlife。
PresentlyMorelcamedown，ruffledandyawning，fromhis，afternoonsleep。Hescratchedhisgrizzledhead，heplodded，inhisstockingfeet，hiswaistcoathungopenoverhisshirt。
Heseemedincongruous。
“ThisisMrs。Dawes，father，“saidPaul。
ThenMorelpulledhimselftogether。ClarasawPaul’smanner，ofbowingandshakinghands。
“Oh，indeed！”exclaimedMorel。”Iamverygladtoseeyou——Iam，Iassureyou。Butdon’tdisturbyourself。No，nomakeyourself，quitecomfortable，andbeverywelcome。”
Clarawasastonishedatthisfloodofhospitalityfrom，theoldcollier。Hewassocourteous，sogallant！，Shethought，himmostdelightful。
“Andmayyouhavecomefar？”heasked。
“OnlyfromNottingham，“shesaid。
“FromNottingham！，Thenyouhavehadabeautifulday，foryourjourney。”
Thenhestrayedintothescullerytowashhishandsandface，andfromforceofhabitcameontothehearthwiththetowelto，dryhimself。
AtteaClarafelttherefinementandsang-froidofthehousehold。
Mrs。Morelwasperfectlyatherease。Thepouringouttheteaand，attendingtothepeoplewentonunconsciously，withoutinterrupting，herinhertalk。Therewasalotofroomattheovaltable;thechina，ofdarkbluewillow-patternlookedprettyontheglossycloth。
Therewasalittlebowlofsmall，yellowchrysanthemums。
Clarafeltshecompletedthecircle，anditwasapleasuretoher。
Butshewasratherafraidoftheself-possessionoftheMorels，fatherandall。Shetooktheirtone;therewasafeelingofbalance。
Itwasacool，clearatmosphere，whereeveryonewashimself，andinharmony。Claraenjoyedit，buttherewasafeardeepatthe，bottomofher。
PaulclearedthetablewhilsthismotherandClaratalked。
Clarawasconsciousofhisquick，vigorousbodyasitcameandwent，seemingblownquicklybyawindatitswork。Itwasalmostlike，thehitherandthitherofaleafthatcomesunexpected。Mostofherself，wentwithhim。Bythewaysheleanedforward，asiflistening，Mrs。Morelcouldseeshewaspossessedelsewhereasshetalked，andagaintheelderwomanwassorryforher。
Havingfinished，hestrolleddownthegarden，leavingthetwo，womentotalk。Itwasahazy，sunnyafternoon，mildandsoft。
Claraglancedthroughthewindowafterhimasheloiteredamong，thechrysanthemums。Shefeltasifsomethingalmosttangiblefastened，hertohim;yetheseemedsoeasyinhisgraceful，indolentmovement，sodetachedashetiedupthetoo-heavyflowerbranchestotheirstakes，thatshewantedtoshriekinherhelplessness。
Mrs。Morelrose。
